Onchocerca in Israel
A. Pressman, Y. Kandelis, Y. Bachar, G. Mogilner
Depts. of Pediatric Surgery and Pathology, Bnei-Zion Medical Center and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, The Technion, Haifa
The parasite Onchocerca volvulus is well-known in its endemic areas in South and Central America and West Africa. It is transmitted to man by simulium flies and causes systemic infection with skin, lymphatic and ophthalmic manifestations and can cause blindness (river blindness). Treatment with Ivermectin is effective but sometimes there is need for surgical intervention to prevent or treat complications. We describe an 11-year-old girl, a new immigrant from Ethiopia, who had a firm mass in her left thigh, caused by Onchocerca volvulus. It was completely excised. This is a very rare condition in Israel, which must be considered in patients coming from endemic areas.