BACKGROUND Previously we demonstrated the micro- and macrofilaricidal properties of imatinib in vitro. Here we use electron and multiphoton microscopy to define the target of imatinib in the adult and microfilarial stages of Brugia malayi and assess the effects of pharmacologically relevant levels of imatinib on the adult parasites. METHODS After fixation of adult B. malayi males and females,...

PURPOSE Calgranulin C (CaGC) is a protein released by activated neutrophils and involved in host defense against filarial infections. This study involved the identification of binding protein(s) of the helminth Brugia malayi to CaGC and the ability of binding complexes to induce keratitis. METHODS Parasitic extracts prepared from B. malayi microfilariae and adult worms were incubated with rec...

Recent studies on the biology and ecology of adult blackflies in relation to the transmission of human onchocerciasis in Guatemala are reviewed. First, earlier studies on the transmission of the disease since its discovery by Dr. R. Robles in 1915 are outlined. Second, eleven blackfly species caught on humans are evaluated for vector status on the basis of their natural and experimental infecti...

BACKGROUND Human dirofilariosis is still a little known infection even in endemic areas. Dirofilariosis is zoonotic infection usually abortive in humans; instead, we report a very rare case (the 4th in the world), the first in Italy, in which at least two infective larvae became mature adults that mated and produced active microfilariae even though they did not reach peripheral blood. CASE PR...

6th June, 1925.?No response to quinine (grs. 5 t.d.s.) given from 2nd June, 1925, 9-30 p.m. Temperature 106?F. Intravenous injection of quinine bihydrochloride (grs. 3). 7th June, 1925.?8 a.;m. Temperature 98.6?F. Intravenous injection of quinine bihydrochloride (grs. 2i). Urine now distinctly "milky," showed marked chyluria and the microscope revealed a large number of microfilariae. The quini...

Five laboratory methods used for the recovery of microfilariae from the blood were compared for efficiency of recovery and time involved. The methods used were thin blood films, thick blood films, wet preparations, the Polyvidone technique, and the microhaematocrit technique. The last proved superior in both efficiency and saving time.

background: onchocerciasis is endemic in the imo river basin, nigeria. this study was aimed at assess­ing the prevalence and intensity of microfilaria of onchocerca volvulus in the area. methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out in the okigwe local government area, imo state, nige­ria. two skin snips (one from the waist and another from the shoulder) were taken from 1024 individu­als exa...

BACKGROUND The lack of a safe and effective adult worm drug and the emergence of resistant animal parasite strains to the only recommended drug, the microfilaricide, ivermectin put many at risk of the devastating effects of the onchocerciasis. The present study was undertaken to investigate the acclaimed anti-Onchocerca activity of the roots/rhizomes of Cyperus articulatus in the traditional tr...