Of mice, cattle, and humans: the immunology and treatment of river blindness

Judith E Allen, Ohene Adjei, Odile Bain, Achim Hoerauf, Wolfgang H Hoffmann, Benjamin L Makepeace, Hartwig Schulz-Key, Vincent N Tanya, Alexander J Trees, Samuel Wanji, David W Taylor

Research output: Contribution to journalLiterature reviewpeer-review

Abstract

River blindness is a seriously debilitating disease caused by the filarial parasite Onchocerca volvulus, which infects millions in Africa as well as in South and Central America. Research has been hampered by a lack of good animal models, as the parasite can only develop fully in humans and some primates. This review highlights the development of two animal model systems that have allowed significant advances in recent years and hold promise for the future. Experimental findings with Litomosoides sigmodontis in mice and Onchocerca ochengi in cattle are placed in the context of how these models can advance our ability to control the human disease.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere217
Number of pages8
JournalPLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Volume2
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2008

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics
  • Cattle
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Ivermectin
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Onchocerca
  • Onchocerciasis, Ocular

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