Mansonella perstans

Mansonella perstans
Mansonella perstans (left) and Loa loa (right)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Chromadorea
Order: Rhabditida
Family: Onchocercidae
Genus: Mansonella
Species:
M. perstans
Binomial name
Mansonella perstans
(Manson, 1891)
Synonyms

Acanthocheilonema perstans
Bung eye disease
Dipetalonema berghei
Dipetalonema perstans
Dipetalonema semiclarum
Esslingeria perstans
Filaria perstans
Mansonella perstans
Mansonella rhodhaini
Mansonella semiclarum
Meningonema peruzzii
Tetrapetalonema berghei
Tetrapetalonema perstans

Mansonella perstans is a filarial (arthropod-borne) nematode (roundworm), transmitted by tiny blood-sucking flies called midges.[1] Mansonella perstans is one of two filarial nematodes that causes serous cavity filariasis in humans. The other filarial nematode is Mansonella ozzardi. M. perstans is widespread in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Central and South America, and the Caribbean.[1][2]

Compared to infections with other filarial parasites such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Loa loa, Mansonella infections are relatively mild. However, the pathogenicity of M. perstans infection has been recently reconsidered in various studies.[3] These studies have demonstrated that M. perstans has the ability to induce a variety of clinical features, including angioedema Calabar-like swellings, pruritus, fever, headache, eosinophilia, and abdominal pain. The overall disability among populations in regions where filariae are endemic has been difficult to determine because of high rates of coinfection with other filariae and the nonspecificity of M. perstan infections. Furthermore, treatment of M. perstans is challenging because the most antifilarial drugs, such as ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole are not effective. The optimal treatment for M. perstans infection remains unclear.[3] Most current studies are focused on coinfection of M. perstans with other filarial parasites, and the study of Wolbachia bacteria as endosymbionts in M. perstans and other filarial parasites.

  1. ^ a b Simonsen PE, Onapa AW, Asio SM (September 2011). "Mansonella perstans filariasis in Africa". Acta Tropica. 120 (Suppl 1): S109-20. doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2010.01.014. PMID 20152790.
  2. ^ "Mansonelliasis—perstans". GIDEON: The Global Infectious Disease & Epidemiology Network. 2010.
  3. ^ a b Bregani ER, Rovellini A, Mbaïdoum N, Magnini MG (May 2006). "Comparison of different anthelminthic drug regimens against Mansonella perstans filariasis". Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 100 (5): 458–63. doi:10.1016/j.trstmh.2005.07.009. PMID 16257021.