DIAGNOSIS
There are several diagnostic tests for Onchocerciasis. Typically, the initial step is a doctor palpating the skin in an attempt to detect nodules. Your physician will perform a skin biopsy, sometimes called a skin snip. During this operation, a 2- to 5-milligram skin sample will be extracted. The biopsied tissue is then put in a saline solution, causing the larvae to emerge. Multiple snips, often six, are extracted from various bodily areas.
Alternative tests for detecting river blindness:
- Nodulectomy. This test requires surgical removal of a nodule and subsequent examination for worms. It is also possible to do an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, although costly equipment is required.
- Mazzotti test. This is a skin patch test using the medication diethylcarbamazine (DEC).
- Rapid-format antibody. A drop of blood must be deposited on a customized card for this procedure. If antibodies against the illness are identified, the card will change color.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Due to the exceptional sensitivity of this test, just a little skin sample — approximately the size of a small scratch — is required to conduct it.
TREATMENT
Ivermectin (Stromectol) is the most prevalent therapy for river blindness. It is deemed safe for most individuals and only needs to be administered once or twice annually to be effective. Furthermore, it does not need refrigeration. Effectiveness is achieved by stopping female blackflies from releasing microfilariae.
