Mansonella perstans
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Epidemiology
- Central Africa & northeastern South America
- transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides)
Pathology
- adult worms reside in serous cavities (pericardial, pleural & peritoneal) & in mesentery & perirenal & retroperitoneal tissues
- microfilariae circulate in the blood without periodicity
Clinical manifestations
- most individuals are asymptomatic
- transient angioedema
- pruritus
- fever
- headache
- arthralgia
- right upper quadrant pain
- pericarditis & hepatitis may occur
Laboratory
- diagnosis is made by detection of microfilariae in peripheral blood or in serous effusions
- eosinophilia
- serology: anti-filarial antibodies
Management
- diethylcarbamazine (DEC) 8-10 mg/kg/day for 21 days
- standard treatment
- little evidence for effectiveness
- cure assessed by disappearance of eosinophilia & symptoms
- multiple course of treatment frequently necessary
- mebendazole 100 mg PO BID for 30 days may be effective