Mansonelliasis

**Definition:** A disease caused by an infection with the parasitic worm Mansonella. This disease is characterised by pruritus, dermal pigmentary changes, fever, or lymphadenopathy, or may be asymptomatic. Transmission is through the bite of an infected midge (genus Culicoides) or blackfly (genus Simulium). Confirmation is by identification of Mansonella microfilariae in a skin or blood sample.

**Long definition:** Mansonellosis are tropical filarioses caused by several species of the Mansonella genus that are spread by small insects of the genus CulicoIdes. Traditionally considered as non-pathogenic, they are now known to cause hypereosinophilia. Clinical manifestations include pruritus and edema in the lower limbs, but each case should be considered individually.