Molecular Characterization of Onchocerca volvulus in a Middlebelt State of Nigeria

The existence of pathologic population of Onchocerca volvulus as the basis of their ability to cause blinding and non-blinding onchocerciasis has already been recognized. However, documentation of molecular characterization in Nigeria which is one of the most affected country in the world is incomplete and fragmentary. Molecular characterization of O. volvulus in Lade District of Kwara State, Nigeria, showed the occurrence of the forest (pFS-1) strain and the savannah (pSS- 1BT) strain. The occurrence of the blinding savannah strain correlated with the occurrence of ocular disease documented in a previous study in this locality. A mixed strain infection occurred in two individuals. The status of this occurrence could not be conclusively explained whether it was a case of co-endemicity due to simultaneous infection or the existence of a hybrid O. volvulus. (Af. J. of Science and Technology: 2002 3(1): 22-24