Onchocerciasis “River Blindness”: Pathogenesis and Ocular Manifestations

Vectorial Transmission

-> Onchocerca volvulus, a parasitic helminth, matures in to larva in black fly, Simulium spp.

-> Black fly bites human, transmitting larva

-> Larva matures in to adult worms in human that produce microfilariae

-> Microfilariae enter the eye via blood stream or directly from the conjunctiva

 • Fluffy, punctate stromal keratitis -> Corneal opacity (sclerosing keratitis)

 • Chorioretinitis

 • Anterior uveitis

=> Blindness



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