[Attempt at defining dermatological criteria for surveys of African onchoceriasis based on observations made in 3 Mali villages].

The study done by the authors at the Marchoux Institute of Bamako and in 3 Malian villages of the Koutiala area (two of hyperendemic and one of hypoendemic onchocerciasis) emphasized the interest which can be represented in the epidemiologic investigations on the onchocerciasis: the tibial vitiligo and the cutaneous atrophy. The dyschromia of more suggestive appreciation is less usable. Prurigo, lichenification, hypochromia and hyperchromia have less interest in these investigations because of more other causes which can be attributed to them.