EFFECT OF IVERMECTIN TREATMENT ON MICROFILARIAL LOAD IN PATIENTS WITHONCHOCERCA-VOLVULUS IN BEBEKA, ETHIOPIA

In April 1990, one hundred ninety people from Bebeka Coffee Plantation , Kefa administrative region, western Ethiopia, all with moderate to h eavy infection with Onchocerca volvulus were treated with ivermectin ( 150 mcg/kg body wt.). Clinical examination and microfilarial counts in skin snips were repeated at intervals for eight months. Therapy was a ssociated with minimal side effects. Significant difference in mean mi crofilarial load was observed throughout the eight months post-treatme nt period. Difference in repopulation of microfilariae between four an d eight months was not significant in either sex and all ages. Of all cases, 71 (37.5%) maintained zero microfilarial counts after four mont hs, while only 38 (20%) remained at zero level until the end of eight months. The merit of a yearly treatment programme is discussed.