Onchocerciasis

Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by the filarial nematode *Onchocerca volvulus* and transmitted to humans through the repeated bites of infected blackflies belonging to the genus *Simulium* The condition primarily impacts the dermatologic, subcutaneous, lymphatic, and ocular systems of individuals living in endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Yemen, and localized areas of the Americas Clinical manifestations are largely driven...

Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by the filarial nematode *Onchocerca volvulus* and transmitted to humans through the repeated bites of infected blackflies belonging to the genus *Simulium*

Onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, is a neglected tropical parasitic disease caused by the filarial nematode *Onchocerca volvulus* and transmitted to humans through the repeated bites of infected blackflies belonging to the genus *Simulium* The condition primarily impacts the dermatologic, subcutaneous, lymphatic, and ocular systems of individuals living in endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Yemen, and localized areas of the Americas

Clinical manifestations are largely driven by host inflammatory and immune-mediated reactions to dying microfilariae rather than the adult worms themselves, which typically reside in fibrous subcutaneous nodules (onchocercomata) Pathologic hallmarks include severe intractable pruritus, chronic papular and depigmenting dermatitis, visual impairment, sclerosing keratitis, chorioretinitis, and irreversible optic atrophy leading to permanent blindness

Clinical manifestations are largely driven by host inflammatory and immune-mediated reactions to dying microfilariae rather than the adult worms themselves, which typically reside in fibrous subcutaneous nodules (onchocercomata)

Pathologic hallmarks include severe intractable pruritus, chronic papular and depigmenting dermatitis, visual impairment, sclerosing keratitis, chorioretinitis, and irreversible optic atrophy leading to permanent blindness

Pathologic hallmarks include severe intractable pruritus, chronic papular and depigmenting dermatitis, visual impairment, sclerosing keratitis, chorioretinitis, and irreversible optic atrophy leading to permanent blindness