A filarial parasite and damage in central and western Africa.
Prevalence as high as 80 to 100% across central Africa, Northern South America, and the Caribbean.
Distribution overlaps with Wucheria Bancroft, Loa Loa, and Ochocerca.
Transmission is through the bite of an infected midge.
Infective larvae developed over months into adult worms that reside in the serous cavities, mesentery and retroperitoneal tissues.
Microfilaria are carrying through the bloodstream.
Microfilaria or small, lack a sheath and small compared to other agents.
Most infections or sub clinical, although patients may experience fever, headaches, arthralgias, pruritus, serositis, angioedema and neurologic manifestations.
Conventional anti-filarial agents have limited efficacy.
Doxycycline 200 mg daily for 4 to 8 weeks decrease embryogenesis, fertility and viability of in worms that harbor, intracellular endosymbiont wolbachia.
Harbors wolbachia.
Wolbachia present and all the major human filarial pathogens with the exception of Loa Loa.
Doxycycline is effective in reducing levels of microfilaria (Brent J)..