Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease. Infection occurs
when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes
. Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system.
What causes elephantiasis?
Usually, to get elephantiasis, you would have to be
bitten by a lot of mosquitoes over a long time
, in a country where certain types of roundworms are known to exist. It starts when mosquitoes infected with the roundworm larvae bite you. The tiny larvae survive in your bloodstream and grow.
What parasite causes elephantiasis?
B. malayi
is one of two filarial parasites that cause elephantiasis. It spreads from person to person via mosquito bites, which deposit worm larvae into the skin. The parasites wend their way to the body’s lymph nodes and vessels, which normally drain fluid from the body’s tissues and help to fight infection.
Can elephantiasis be cured?
Treatment for elephantiasis includes: antiparasitic drugs, such as
diethylcarbamazine (DEC)
, mectizan, and albendazole (Albenza) using good hygiene to clean the affected areas. elevating the affected areas.
What kind of mosquito causes elephantiasis?
A wide range of mosquitoes can transmit the parasite, depending on the geographic area. In Africa, the most common vector is
Anopheles
and in the Americas, it is Culex quinquefasciatus. Aedes and Mansonia can transmit the infection in the Pacific and in Asia.
Can elephantiasis cause death?
Without proper treatment, lymphedema can lead to infection,
amputation or even death
. If the cause of your elephantiasis is parasitic, you need to be on medication to eradicate the infection.
What does elephantiasis look like?
The main symptom of elephantiasis is
gross enlargement and swelling of an area of the body
because of the accumulation of fluid. The arms and legs are the areas most often affected. An entire arm or leg may swell to several times its normal size resembling the thick, round appearance of an elephant’s leg.
How can elephantiasis be prevented?
The best way to prevent elephantiasis is to
avoid mosquito bites
. People who visit or live in countries at risk should: sleep under a mosquito net. cover up their skin with long sleeves and trousers.
How do I get rid of filarial worms?
The main goal of treatment of an infected person is to kill the adult worm.
Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC)
, which is both microfilaricidal and active against the adult worm, is the drug of choice for lymphatic filariasis. The late phase of chronic disease is not affected by chemotherapy.
What is the main cause of filarial infection?
Most cases of filariasis are caused by the
parasite known as Wuchereria bancrofti
. Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes serve as vector for W. bancrofti in transmission of the disease. Another parasite called Brugia malayi also causes filariasis is transmitted by the vector Mansonia and Anopheles mosquitoes.
Is elephantiasis painful?
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is
a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease
.
Is elephantiasis permanent?
Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system. The painful and profoundly disfiguring visible manifestations of the disease, lymphoedema, elephantiasis and scrotal swelling occur later in life and
can lead to permanent disability
.
Is there any vaccine for elephantiasis?
Currently
there is no vaccine available to prevent
this infection in human.
Is elephantiasis genetic?
Genital elephantiasis, end
result of lymphogranuloma venereum
.
Proteus syndrome
, a genetic disorder best known as the condition possibly suffered by Joseph Merrick, the so-called “Elephant Man.”
Does filariasis cause itching?
The skin becomes very itchy and a red spotty rash
is often present. Scratching often leads to bleeding, ulcers and secondary infections. The lower trunk, pelvis, buttocks, thighs and legs appear to be the most affected. Microfilariae are the main cause of this dermatitis.
Is elephantiasis a communicable disease?
Communicable Diseases – Elephantiasis. Overview: Elephantiasis is a
parasitic disease
occurs due to infection by mosquito bites. Lymph vessels are obstructed by worms causing accumulation of lymphatic fluid and enlargement.
