Onchocerciasis in Gilgel Ghibe River Valley southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of onchocerciasis and the entomological transmission indices such as the parous rate and annual transmission potential (ATP).

Setting: Gilgel Ghibe village, Gilgel Ghibe River Valley Southwest Ethiopia between April 1994 and March 1995.

Subjects: Two hundred twenty eight subjects of the total 400 population in Gilgel Ghibe village were subjected to parasitological and clinical examinations.

Method: Two skin snips per person were taken and examined for microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus. Fly collections were done from dawn to dusk from human baits seated in pairs at four representative sites at the river bank and away from the river bank. Flies were dissected for parity and infections with O. volvulus larvae.

Results: Among the 228 people examined, the prevalence of the disease was low (17%), being higher in males (19%) than in females (14%). The geometric mean of microfilarial density was 11.1 (range, 1-132) mf per skin snip. Itching followed by pigmentary changes were the most common clinical signs and symptoms. The predominant anthropophilic blackfly species was Simulium (Edwardsellum) damnosum s.l. The annual parous rate and ATP were 74.7% and 1669.5, respectively, being higher at the river bank than at sites further away suggesting a greater risk of infection by the river side.

Conclusion: The low prevalence of onchocerciasis in Gilgel Ghibe area vis-a-vis the high ATP level could be due to the possible presence of bovine onchocerciasis in the area. Further studies employing molecular techniques are thus required to identify O. volvulus from other filariae in flies.

PIP: 400 people in Gilgel Ghibe, southwestern Ethiopia, were subjected to parasitological and clinical examination to determine the prevalence and intensity of onchocerciasis. Its association with entomological transmission indices such as the parous rate and annual transmission potential (ATP) were determined simultaneously. Two skin snips per person were taken and examined for microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus. In addition, collections of adult blackfly were done from human baits seated in pairs at 4 representative sites at the riverbank and away from the riverbank. Flies were then dissected for parity and infections with O. volvulus. Among the 228 people examined, the prevalence of the disease was low (17%), being higher in males than in females (19% vs. 14%). The geometric mean of microfilarial density was 11.1 mf per skin snip. Itching and skin changes were the most common signs and symptoms of the disease. The predominant anthropophilic blackfly species was Simulium (Edwardsellum) damnosum s.l. The annual parous rate was 74.7%, while ATP was 1669.5, being higher at the riverbank than at farther sites, suggesting a greater risk of infection by the riverside. In conclusion, the low prevalence of onchocerciasis vis-a-vis the high ATP level could be caused by the possible presence of bovine onchocerciasis in the area. Further studies employing molecular techniques are needed to identify O. volvulus from other filariae in flies.