15.2
Onchocerciasis (river Blindness)
Malawi Standard Treatment Guidelines, 6th Edition, 2023. Chapter 15, Parasitic Conditions.
Clinical Description
Onchocerciasis results from infection with Onchocerca volvulus. Humans are the only natural host. Endemic in Thyolo, Mwanza, Nneno, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Phalombe, Chiradzulu and Mulanje
Signs and Symptoms
- severe dermatitis/subcutaneous nodules
- poor vision and blindness
Investigations
- skin snips/eye samples: microfilariae
- examine eye with slit-lamp for microfilariae
- Mazzotti test
Treatment
- Adults and children > 15 kg: Give Ivermectin 150 mcg (0.15mg)/kg single dose
Ivermectin Dose Table
Weight in kg Number of tablets given Total mg
Less than 15 0 0 15 – 25 1 3 26 – 44 2 6 45 – 64 3 9
Above 64 4 12 *ivermectin 3 mg tablets
Check doses against the printed guideline and your clinical judgement before treating a patient. Spotted an error? Report it from the contact links below.
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