Recapitulation on the Recent Advancements in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Neglected Tropical Disease - Onchocerciasis

Onchocerciasis is a parasitic tropical disease under the category of neglected tropical diseases (NTD) of WHO. This disease is caused by the bite of Onchocerca volvulus infected black flies. Commonly affects the residents of the African region and even the tourists who visit the region. Sometimes this infection is associated with microfilariae. It is estimated that about 5% deaths are caused by this infection. The nematode provokes the person's inflammatory response causing lesions and even impacts the eyes causing blindness which is termed as river blindness. The diagnosis of the disease is available even for low intensity of infections. The treatment of the disease is limited to Ivermectin and few antibiotics which is given every 6 to 12 months. But these drugs do not cure the disease rather just control the infection.