AUTHOR=Frallonardo Luisa , Di Gennaro Francesco , Panico Gianfranco Giorgio , Novara Roberta , Pallara Elisabetta , Cotugno Sergio , Guido Giacomo , De Vita Elda , Ricciardi Aurelia , Totaro Valentina , Camporeale Michele , De Iaco Giuseppina , Bavaro Davide Fiore , Lattanzio Rossana , Patti Giulia , Brindicci Gaetano , Papagni Roberta , Pellegrino Carmen , Santoro Carmen Rita , Segala Francesco Vladimiro , Putoto Giovanni , Nicastri Emanuele , Saracino Annalisa TITLE=Onchocerciasis: Current knowledge and future goals JOURNAL=Frontiers in Tropical Diseases VOLUME=3 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/tropical-diseases/articles/10.3389/fitd.2022.986884 DOI=10.3389/fitd.2022.986884 ISSN=2673-7515 ABSTRACT=

Human Onchocerciasis, caused by infection by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus, is a neglected public health disease that affects millions of people in the endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. It is also called river blindness because the Blackflies that transmit infection breeds in rapidly flowing fresh water streams and rivers. This review features state-of-the-art data on the parasite, its endobacteria Wolbachia, the prevalence of the infection and its geographical distribution, its diagnostics, the interaction between the parasite and its host, and the pathology of Onchocerciasis. By development and optimization of the control measures, transmission by the vector has been interrupted in foci of countries in the Americas (Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Guatemala)and inSudan, followed by Onchocerciasis eliminations. The current state and future perspectives for vector control and elimination strategy are described.