Worm burden of onchocerca volvulus in a hyperendemic village of the rain-forest in West Africa.

During a study on the effects of nodulectomy on onchocerciasis in a village in the Liberian rain-forest 400 Onchocerca-nodules were excised from 34 inhabitants. The analysis of the nodules revealed a worm burden of 718 complete live male and 1062 complete live female worms as well as 9 male and 117 female worms which were mostly calcified and degenerating. 73% of the live females contained developing embryos or released microfilariae, the other females either contained eggs or showed empty uteri. Some observations were made on degenerating worms. The male:female sex ratio was 1:1.5 and possible reasons for this are discussed.