| ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2008 | Volume
: 13
| Issue : 1 | Page : 7-12 |
|
|
Ivermectin therapy for onchocerciasis: Effect on some haematological and biochemical parameters
EN Shu1, EO Eze1, T Nubila2, EO Onwujekwe1
1 Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
2 Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
E N Shu
Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
|
|
|
Objective: To investigate leucocyte mobilization, acid phosphatase and acetylcholinesterase activities during ivermectin therapy for onchocerciasis, to shed light on the mechanism underlying the involvement of the host's immune system.
Method: A single oral dose of ivermectin (300 g/kg) was administered to 78 subjects (42 patients and 36 non-infected) aged between 14 and 40 years. Blood samples were collected from the subjects prior to the administration of the drug at 3, 7 and 14 days post-treatment.
Results: There was no significant increase (P>0.05) in all the blood cell types throughout the study period. Significant increases (P<0.05) were observed in mean neutrophil and eosinophil counts on day 3 and days 0, 3, 7, and 14, respectively in the patients than in the controls. Mean lymphocyte counts were also significantly decreased (p<0.05) on days 3, 7 and 14 in the patients than in the controls. Both acid phosphatase and acetylcholinesterase activities were not significantly altered (p>0.05) throughout the study period.
Conclusion: Killing of microfilariae by radicals generated from neutrophils; and the enhancement of eosinophils against Onchocerca volvulus after treatment with ivermectin is hereby suggested.
|
|
|
|
| [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
