The microfilarial larval stage was formerly shown to induce human regulatory monocytes and macrophages.
Gopinath Venugopal, Marion Mueller, Susanne Hartmann, Svenja Steinfelder 2017, 'Differential immunomodulation in human monocytes versus macrophages by filarial cystatin',PLOS ONE10.1371/journal.pone.0188138. Retrieved from PLOS CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
The overall microfilarial infection and infectivity rates were 10.1% and 4.8% respectively.
Manyi, M. M, Vajime, C.G, Imandeh, G. N 2014, 'Seasonal changes of microfilarial infection and infectivity rates in mosquito populationswithin Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria', International Journal of Mosquito Researchhttp://www.dipterajournal.com/vol1issue4/dec2014/18.1.pdf. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Significantly, such an expansion was directly proportional to microfilarial loads.
Nathália F Lima, Raquel M Gonçalves-Lopes, Yvonne C M Kruize, Maria Yazdanbakhsh,Marcelo U Ferreira 2018, 'CD39 and immune regulation in a chronic helminth infection: The puzzling case of Mansonellaozzardi.', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseaseshttp://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5854421?pdf=render. Retrieved from PLOS CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
The microfilarial density among confirmed cases ranged from 3.1 to 10.6 per 20 cmm.
Mishra Ashok, Bhadoriya Rahul 2009, 'An epidemiological study of filariasis in a village of district Datia, MP', Indian Journal of Community Medicinehttp://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2009;volume=34;issue=3;spage=202;epage=205;aulast=Mishra. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Microfilarial load showed similar, though weaker, results.
Michele E Murdoch, Ian E Murdoch, Jennifer Evans, Haliru Yahaya, Ngozi Njepuome, SimonCousens, Barrie R Jones, Adenike Abiose 2017, 'Pre-control relationship of onchocercal skin disease with onchocercal infection inGuinea Savanna, Northern Nigeria.', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseaseshttp://europepmc.org/articles/PMC5386293?pdf=render. Retrieved from PLOS CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Both microfilarial prevalence and intensity increased with age.
K.N. Opara, B.O. Fagbemi 2008, 'Population dynamics of Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae in human host after six yearsof drug control', Journal of Vector Borne Diseaseshttp://www.mrcindia.org/journal/issues/451029.pdf. Retrieved from DOAJ CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Comparisons were adjusted for individual factors related to microfilarial density: age and number of nodules.
Sébastien D S Pion, Hugues C Nana-Djeunga, Joseph Kamgno, Nicholas Tendongfor, SamuelWanji, Flobert Njiokou, Roger K Prichard, Michel Boussinesq 2013, 'Dynamics of Onchocerca volvulus microfilarial densities after ivermectin treatmentin an ivermectin-naïve and a multiply treated population from Cameroon.', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseaseshttp://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3585010?pdf=render. Retrieved from PLOS CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
The excess mortality associated with microfilarial load was also found to be greater in younger hosts.
Martin Walker, Mark P Little, Karen S Wagner, Edoh W Soumbey-Alley, Boakye A Boatin,María-Gloria Basáñez 2012, 'Density-dependent mortality of the human host in onchocerciasis: relationships betweenmicrofilarial load and excess mortality.', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseaseshttp://europepmc.org/articles/PMC3313942?pdf=render. Retrieved from PLOS CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)
Microfilarial counts tended to decrease more rapidly with higher or more frequent dosing at all time points.
Shantanu Kumar Kar, Bhagirathi Dwibedi, Anna Salomi Kerketa, Antaryami Maharana, SudanshuS Panda, Prafulla Chandra Mohanty, John Horton, Cherubala P Ramachandran 2015, 'A randomized controlled trial of increased dose and frequency of albendazole withstandard dose DEC for treatment of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaremics in Odisha,India.', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseaseshttp://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4363665?pdf=render. Retrieved from PLOS CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/legalcode)