FILARIASIS Lymphatic Systems Disease Causes Diagnosis Signs and Symptoms with Treatment

Filariasis

Massive swelling, esp. of the genitalia and lower extremities, resulting from obstruction of lymphatic vessels, for example by filarial parasites, malignancies, neurofibromatosis, or a familial congenital disease (Milroy’s disease).
Prolonged swelling can cause an increase in interstitial fibrous tissue and skin puckering or breakdown. In patients with the filarial diseases

Filaria Nematode worm Disease of Lymphatic Systems Transmitted by Mosquitoes

Filariasis

Filaria can occur due to three nematode worms.

Wuchereria bancrofti

All three infections are transmitted to man by the bite of mosquitoes.
A parasitic worm that is the causative agent of elephantiasis.
Adults of the species live in human lymph nodes and ducts.
Females give birth to sheathed microfilariae, which remain in internal organs during the day but at night are in circulating blood, where they are sucked up by night-biting mosquitoes,
Inside the mosquitoes microfilariae larva are continue their development, and becoming infective larvae in about 2 weeks
All have similar life cycles with the adult worms living in the lymphatic vessels whilst the microfilaria circulate in peripheral blood.

Vector of Filaria Culex mosquito

Vector of Filaria

The microfilaria are taken in by the mosquito when they feed on the host.
The vector for W. bancrofti is Culex mosquito.
The vector for B. malayi is Mansonia mosquito. The vector for B. timori is Anopheles mosquito
Filaria is transmitted by the bite of infected mosquito. The parasite is deposited at the site of puncture and passes through the skin and reaches the lymphatic systemBiochemical analysis of Dosha Dhatu Mala In Ayurveda. Read more ... ».
The incubation period is 8 – 12 months or longer.

· The disease may be asymptomatic or acuteBiochemical analysis of Dosha Dhatu Mala In Ayurveda. Read more ... » or chronicChronic Hepatitis Classification viral hepatitis Clinical features and Treatment. Read more ... ».
· The important features are lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, elephantiasis of genitals, legs and arms.
· It may also present as tropical pulmonary eosinophilia or filarial arthritis.
· Filaria can cause great deformity and disability.

LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS

LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS

There may be no symptomsBiochemical analysis of Dosha Dhatu Mala In Ayurveda. Read more ... » inspite of micro-filaria in the blood. The host acts as carrier.
There may be recurrent episodes of acute inflammation in lymph nodes and lymphatics.
There is periodic high grade fever, lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, lymphedema of various parts of body and even epididymoorchitis in males.
The chronic stage may develop 10 years after the first attack. There is fibrosis and obstruction of lymphatic vessels causing permanent structural changes.
There is hydrocele, elephantiasis and chyluria. Elephantiasis affects the legs, scrotum, arms, penis, vulva and breasts.
Other causesBiochemical analysis of Dosha Dhatu Mala In Ayurveda. Read more ... » of elephantiasis are tuberculosisLeprosy Hansen's Disease types Causes of leprosy sign and Symptoms With Treatment. Read more ... », tumors, irradiation, silica poisoning.

OCCULT FILARIASIS

OCCULT FILARIASIS

There are no clinical manifestations of the parasite and microfilaria are not found in the blood e.g. tropical pulmonary eosinophilia.

· A thick film made from capillary blood between 8.30 pm and 12.00 midnight is prepared on the glass slide and examined for microfilaria.
· Membrane filter concentration (MFC) method is a sensitive method for detection of microfilaria.
· Blood is collected from a vial and filtered to detect microfilaria.
· DEC provocation test – Diethyl carbamazine (DEC) 100 mg is given orally to induce microfilaria to appear in blood within 15 minutes to 2 hrs.
· Serological tests to detect antibodies to microfilaria using immunoflourescent and complement fixing techniques.

Diethyl carbamazine (DEC) is safe and effective. 6 mg/kg body weight of DEC is given orally for 12 days in divided doses after meals.
DEC kills the microfilaria. DEC can cause serious side effects like headache, nauseaNausea and Vomiting. Read more ... », vomitingNausea and Vomiting. Read more ... » and dizzinessDizziness cause diagnosis treatment. Read more ... ».
Ivermectin is a broad spectrum macrolide antibiotic (microfilaricidal agent). It is given in doses of 200-400 µg/kg body weight.
Other measures are control of vector by antilarval measures, removal of pistia plant and larvicidal (to kill the larvae) operation.
DDT, HCH and Dieldrin can be sprayed. Pyrethrum is a new anti-vector spray.