FilariASIS :

(LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS)
Transmission: mosquitoes transmit the infection
during biting.
CAUSATIVE PARASITE: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi
and Brugia temori.
Geographic distribution and
epidemiology: Bancroftian filariasis is widely
distributed throughout the tropical zone, Africa, Southeast
Asia, Pacific Islands, Central and South America and some
Caribbean islands. Malayan filariasis is found in Southeast
Asia, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Korea and Japan.
Worldwide prevalence of lymphatic filariasis is estimated to
be 120 million infections; 20 million cases are due to Brugia
malayi. Some zoonotic forms of Brugia are found in the U.S.
but human infections are uncommon.
Location: The adult worms are found in lymphatics and
lymph nodes. Microfilariae are found in the blood.
Morphology and life cycle: The adult worms
live in the lymphatics and lymph nodes. The fertilized
females produce embryonic worms called microfilariae.
The microfilaria ~ 250 µm in length. Microfilariae circulate
in the peripheral blood.
Microfilaria Nuclei
 Clinical manifestations:
► Most cases are asymptomatic. Early
symptoms are lymphangitis,
lymphadenitis, and in males, epidydimitis,
funiculitis, or orchitis. repeated bouts of
lymphangitis result in lymphedema.
Eventually, the tissue becomes infiltrated
and fibrous with permanent enlargement
of involved extremities (elephantiasis).
Scrotal involvement is common.
Elephant Foot
Another One
 Clinical manifestations:
► Most cases are asymptomatic. Early
symptoms are lymphangitis,
lymphadenitis, and in males, epidydimitis,
funiculitis, or orchitis. repeated bouts of
lymphangitis result in lymphedema.
Eventually, the tissue becomes infiltrated
and fibrous with permanent enlargement
of involved extremities (elephantiasis).
Scrotal involvement is common.
Diagnosis and Treatment :
Microfilariae in blood films, blood
concentrations.
Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is rapidly
effective in killing the microfilariae;
studies with this drug are being carried
out by WHO. Ivermectin and
combinations of ivermectin and
albendazole are also tried.