Filariasis

IINTRODUCTION

Filariasis affecting both legs.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), is also known as  or as elephantiasis 
due to the shape of the infected legs. This is a devastating parasitic infection is caused by the worm Wuchereria Bancroft that is spread by infected mosquitoes.

• Currently, more than 1.3 billion people in 72 countries live at risk of contracting lymphatic filariasis (LF).
• This condition is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito and over 120 million people are already infected, with more than 40 million incapacitated or disfigured by the disease.
• About 90% of the filariasis infections occur in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas. The remaining 10% of the infections are caused by the worm Brugia malayi and occur in Asia and some Pacific Islands.

HOW FILARIASIS IS TRANSMITTED

Photomicrograph of microfilaria.

Filariasis is not transmitted by direct human-to-human contact. Rather, it is spread through the bite of Infected mosquitoes in the following sequence.

• When an infected mosquito bites a human to take a blood meal immature parasitic worms, which are known as microfilariae, are deposited on the surface of the skin. These microfilariae are so small they cannot be seen without magnification.
• The microfilariae enter the skin and easily find their way into lymphatic vessels. Here, during the next 6 to 12 months, they develop into adult worms.
• These adult worms live within the lymphatic vessels of the victim from 5 to 10 years. The adults mate here and the females release millions of microfilariae that live in the bloodstream .
• When mosquitoes feed on individuals with microfilariae in their blood, these mosquitoes take up the microfilariae with their blood meal. These microfilariae develop within the mosquito for 7 to 10 days.
• When the mosquito takes another human blood meal, the microfilariae are again deposited on the skin of the new host and the cycle continues.

THE SYMPTOMS OF FILARIASIS 

There are seven stages of filariasis ranging from stage 1, which is slight swelling, and progressing to stage 7 in which the individual is severely disabled.

• Swelling, which can affect almost all body parts, is one of the first symptoms of this condition.
• The very large swollen leg with folds of tough skin is characteristic of the later stages of the disease. This stage is commonly known as elephantiasis.
• Stage 6, which is characterized by knobs and mossy lesions that cause the swollen feet and legs to look almost like a tree trunk are present.
• By stage 7, the individual is no longer able to care for him or herself.
• Such body deformities lead to social stigma and financial hardship from loss of income and increased medical expenses. These socioeconomics burdens of isolation and poverty are immense.

THE PREVENTION OF FILARIASIS 

This condition can be cured, or prevented, through two major drugs that are used to kill the microfilariae in the blood. These medications are diethylcarbamazine (DEZ) and ivermectin.

• A single dose of this medication kills microfilariae and keeps the blood free of them for up to a year. This prevents the spread of the disease but does not cure the infected individual.
• Annual treatments must be continued from 5 to 10 years or until ALL of the adult worms within that individual have died.
• Another way to eliminate filariasis is for everyone within an affected community to use salt that is fortified with diethylcarbamazine (DEZ) daily. When this fortified salt is used, instead of regular table or cooking salt, everyone gets a small dose of the medication every day. These small doses are enough to clear the blood of microfilariae.

REFERENCES

• The Global Alliance to Eliminate Filiariasis (www.filariasis.org) is a group of public health and charitable organzations working together to control this problem.
• World Health Organization Lymphatic filariasis fact sheet. For more information, search the World Health Organization website for "Lymphatic filariasis."
   

© LymphNotes.com 2015. This information does not replace the advice of a qualified health care professional.

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Category: What is Lymphedema? Updated: 2015-06-10