Development and validation of small animal models for onchocerciasis and loiasis microfilaricide discovery.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Onchocerciasis (river blindness) caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus is a neglected tropical disease that affects the skin and eyes of humans. Mass drug administration with ivermectin (IVM) to control the disease often suffers from severe adverse events in individuals co-injected with high loads of Loa loa microfilariae (mf). Thus loiasis animal models for counter-screening of compounds effective against onchocerciasis are needed, as are the corresponding onchocerciasis screening models. The repertoire of such models is highly limiting. Therefore, this study was aimed at developing and validating mf immunocompetent small animal models to increase tools for onchocerciasis drug discovery.

Methodology/principal findings

O. ochengi mf from cattle skin and

SUBMITTER: Ayiseh RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9994675 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature