Overview
Mansonelliasis is an infectious disease caused by parasitic roundworms (filarial nematodes) belonging to the genus Mansonella. The three main species that infect humans are Mansonella perstans, Mansonella streptocerca, and Mansonella ozzardi. These parasites are spread to humans through the bites of tiny insects — midges (Culicoides species) or blackflies (Simulium species) — that carry the larval form of the worm. Once inside the body, the larvae develop into adult worms that live in different locations depending on the species: M. perstans adults live in body cavities like the abdomen and chest, M. streptocerca lives in the skin, and M. ozzardi lives in body cavities as well. The adult worms release tiny immature forms called microfilariae into the blood or skin. Many people with mansonelliasis have no symptoms at all, which makes the disease easy to overlook. When symptoms do occur, they can include itching, skin rashes, joint pain, abdominal pain, swelling under the skin, headaches, fatigue, and sometimes fever. M. streptocerca infections tend to cause more skin-related problems like itching and skin color changes, while M. perstans and M. ozzardi may cause abdominal discomfort, chest pain, and general feelings of being unwell. In rare cases, the infection can affect the eyes or cause swelling around the eyes. Treatment of mansonelliasis can be challenging. Unlike some other filarial infections, M. perstans in particular does not respond well to standard anti-parasitic drugs like ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine (DEC). Doxycycline, an antibiotic that targets a bacterial symbiont (Wolbachia) living inside the worms, has shown promise for treating M. perstans infections. M. streptocerca responds better to DEC and ivermectin. M. ozzardi may respond to ivermectin. Research is ongoing to find more effective treatments.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Itchy skinSkin rashes or bumpsJoint pain and swellingAbdominal painChest painHeadachesFatigue and general feeling of being unwellFeverSwelling under the skinSkin color changes (lighter or darker patches)Swelling around the eyesDizzinessEnlarged lymph nodesEosinophilia (high levels of a type of white blood cell)
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Mansonelliasis.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Mansonelliasis.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which species of Mansonella am I infected with, and how does that affect my treatment options?,How long will I need to take medication, and what side effects should I watch for?,How will we know if the treatment is working — will I need follow-up blood tests?,Can I be reinfected after treatment, and what can I do to prevent that?,Are there any activities or medications I should avoid during treatment?,Should my family members or people I live with also be tested?,Are there any long-term complications I should be aware of?
Common questions about Mansonelliasis
What is Mansonelliasis?
Mansonelliasis is an infectious disease caused by parasitic roundworms (filarial nematodes) belonging to the genus Mansonella. The three main species that infect humans are Mansonella perstans, Mansonella streptocerca, and Mansonella ozzardi. These parasites are spread to humans through the bites of tiny insects — midges (Culicoides species) or blackflies (Simulium species) — that carry the larval form of the worm. Once inside the body, the larvae develop into adult worms that live in different locations depending on the species: M. perstans adults live in body cavities like the abdomen and ch
How is Mansonelliasis inherited?
Mansonelliasis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Mansonelliasis?
6 specialists and care centers treating Mansonelliasis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.