High Prevalence of Mansonella ozzardi Infection in the Amazon Region, Ecuador

Abstract

We reviewed Giemsa-stained thick blood smears, obtained through the national malaria surveillance program in the Amazon region of Ecuador, by light microscopy for Mansonella spp. microfilariae. Of 2,756 slides examined, 566 (20.5%) were positive. Nested PCR confirmed that the microfilariae were those of M. ozzardi nematodes, indicating that this parasite is endemic to this region.

Keywords

• Mansonella ozzardi
• mansonelliasis
• parasites
• infection
• filariasis
• prevalence