Several species of Stephanofilaria (Filariidae) cause cutaneous lesions similar to those of onchocercosis in cattle, but on different parts of the body. The adult worms live in cystic diverticula at the base of the hair follicles. The lesions develop over several years. Initially they appear as small papules which coalesce to form a larger lesion covered with crusts. Eventually the skin becomes thickened, there is loss of hair, hyperkeratosis, an ulcerating core, and haemorrhage. The lesions are mildly pruritic. After healing, the affected areas remain as hairless lichenified plaques.
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© 2016 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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(2016). Stephanofilariosis. In: Mehlhorn, H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Parasitology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-43978-4_2987
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-43978-4_2987
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Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-43977-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-43978-4
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