Hydrolytic activity of an onchocercoma.

The onchocercoma or nodule produced by the nematode Onchocerca volvulus (Filarioidea) in the skin of patients suffering from onchocerciasis has not been examined by histochemical techniques. In this work we have used histochemical techniques to evaluate 5 hydrolytic enzymes, namely phosphatases, esterases and beta-glucuronidase. The results show increased enzymatic activity at the sites of major metabolic activity and within reactive cells including macrophages (mc) and giant cells (gc) of the onchocercoma.