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Arch Dermatol. 2004;140:1161-1166.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Diagnosis: Onchocerciasis (river blindness).

MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS

The excisional biopsy specimen of the subcutaneous nodule demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with numerous filariae that had thick cuticles with annulations (eccentric ringlike projections) and contained abundant microfilariae. The skin overlying the nodule displayed dermal microfilariae with lymphoeosinophilic infiltration.

DISCUSSION

Onchocerciasis, caused by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus, is the second leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Nearly all of the world's estimated 18 million infected persons live in sub-Saharan Africa.^1-2 Onchocerciasis is easily misdiagnosed owing to its long incubation period and its unfamiliarity to physicians working in nonendemic areas.

Clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis are found in the skin (eg, dermatitis, subcutaneous nodules, and lymphadenitis) and in the anterior and posterior chambers of the eyes (eg, keratitis and chorioretinitis). Skin findings include acute and chronic papular dermatitis, lichenified dermatitis, atrophy, depigmentation, onchocercomata (subcutaneous nodules), and inguinal lymphadenopathy.^3-4 Eye findings occur exclusively among persons from endemic areas. Adult O volvulus organisms do . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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Arch Dermatol. 2004;140(9):1161-1166.
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