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==Overview==
==[[Filariasis overview|Overview]]==
'''Lymphatic Filariasis (Philariasis)''' is a [[parasite|parasitic]] and [[infection|infectious]] [[tropical disease]], caused by three thread-like parasitic filarial worms called nematode worms, ''[[Wuchereria bancrofti]]'', ''[[Brugia malayi]]'', and ''Brugia timori'', all transmitted by [[mosquito]]es. It is extremely rare in Western countries. Loa loa is another filarial parasite of humans, transmitted by the deer fly.
==Presentation==
The most spectacular symptom of lymphatic filariasis is [[elephantiasis]]—thickening of the skin and underlying tissues—which was the first disease discovered to be transmitted by insects.  Elephantiasis is caused when the parasites lodge in the [[lymphatic system]].


Elephantiasis affects mainly the lower extremities, whereas [[ear]]s, [[mucus membrane]]s, and [[amputation]] stumps are rarely affected; however, it depends on the species of filaria. ''W. bancrofti'' can affect the legs, arms, vulva, breasts, while ''Brugia timori'' rarely affects the genitals. Infection by ''Onchocerca volvulus'' and the migration of its microfilariae through the [[cornea]] is a major cause of blindness ([[Onchocerciasis]]). This disease is not known to be fatal, although it can obviously cause a fair amount of pain to the infected.
==[[Filariasis pathophysiology|Pathophysiology]]==
==Incidence/prevalence==
Filariasis is endemic in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Central and South America with 120 million people infected.


In endemic areas of the world (e.g., Malaipea in Indonesia), up to 54% of the population may have microfilariae in their blood.<ref>{{cite journal | author=Aupali T, Ismid IS, Wibowo H, ''et al.'' | title=Estimation of the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis by a pool screen PCR assay using blood spots collected on filter paper | journal=Tran R Soc Trop Med Hyg | year=2006 | volume=100 | issue=8 | pages=753&ndash;9 }}</ref>
==[[Filariasis causes|Causes]]==


== History ==
==[[Filariasis differential diagnosis|Differentiating Filariasis from other Diseases]]==


Lymphatic Filariasis is thought to have affected humans since approximately 1500-4000 years ago, though an exact date for its origin is unknown. The first clear reference to the disease occurs in ancient Greek literature, where scholars discuss diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis vs. diagnosis of similar symptoms that can result from [[leprosy]].
==[[Filariasis epidemiology and demographics|Epidemiology and Demographics]]==
 
The first documentation of symptoms occurred in the 16th century, when Jan Huygen Linschoten wrote about the disease during the exploration of Goa. Soon after, exploration of other parts of Asia and Africa turned up further reports of disease symptoms. It was not until centuries later than an understanding of the disease began to develop.
 
In 1866, Timothy Lewis, building on the work of Jean-Nicolas Demarquay and Otto Henry Wucherer, made the connection between microfilariae and elephantiasis, establishing the course of research that would ultimately explain the disease. Not long after, in 1876, Joseph Bancroft discovered the adult form of the worm, and finally in 1877 the life cycle involving an arthropod vector was theorized by Patrick Manson, who proceeded to demonstrate the presence of the worms in mosquitoes. Manson incorrectly hypothesized that the disease was transmitted through skin contact with water in which the mosquitoes had laid eggs. In 1900, George Carmichael Low determined the actual transmission method by discovering the presence of the worm in the proboscis of the mosquito vector.<ref name="titleLymphatic Filariasis Discovery">{{cite web |url=http://www.stanford.edu/class/humbio103/ParaSites2006/Lymphatic_filariasis/Discovery.htm |title=Lymphatic Filariasis Discovery |accessdate=2008-01-17 |format= |work=}}</ref>


==[[Filariasis natural history, complications and prognosis|Natural History, Complications and Prognosis]]==
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
The diagnosis is made by identifying microfilariae on a [[Giemsa stain]]ed thick blood film.  Blood must be drawn at night, since the microfilaria circulate at night, when their vector, the mosquito, is most likely to bite.
[[Filariasis history and symptoms| History and Symptoms]] | [[Filariasis physical examination | Physical Examination]] | [[Filariasis laboratory findings|Laboratory Findings]]| [[Filariasis other diagnostic studies|Other Diagnostic Studies]]
 
There are also PCR assays available for making the diagnosis.
 
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Medicines to treat lymphatic filariasis are most effective when used soon after infection, but they do have some toxic side effects. In addition, the disease is difficult to detect early. Therefore, improved treatments and laboratory tests are needed.
[[Filariasis medical therapy|Medical Therapy]] | [[Filariasis primary prevention|Primary Prevention]]  
 
==Case Studies==
Once Filaria is attacked, the patients are likely to get fever once in a year or two with shivering. They are also administered Florocid injections.
[[Filariasis case study one|Case #1]]
 
===Antibiotics as a possible treatment===
In 2003 it was suggested that the common antibiotic [[doxycycline]] might be effective in treating elephantiasis.<ref name="MedMicrobiolImmunol2003-Hoerauf">{{cite journal | author=Hoerauf A, Mand S, Fischer K, Kruppa T, Marfo-Debrekyei Y, Debrah AY, Pfarr KM, Adjei O, Buttner DW | title=Doxycycline as a novel strategy against bancroftian filariasis-depletion of Wolbachia endosymbionts from Wuchereria bancrofti and stop of microfilaria production | journal=Med Microbiol Immunol (Berl) | year=2003 | pages=211-6 | volume=192 | issue=4 | id=PMID 12684759}}</ref>
The parasites responsible for filariasis have a population of symbiotic bacteria, [[Wolbachia]], that live inside the worm. When the symbiotic bacteria are killed by the antibiotic, the worms themselves also die.
Clinical trials in June 2005 by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine reported that an 8 week course almost completely eliminated microfilariaemia.<ref name="Lancet2005-Taylor">{{cite journal | author=Taylor MJ, Makunde WH, McGarry HF, Turner JD, Mand S, Hoerauf A | title=Macrofilaricidal activity after doxycycline treatment of Wuchereria bancrofti: a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial | journal=Lancet | year=2005 | pages=2116-21 | volume=365 | issue=9477 | id=PMID 15964448}}</ref><ref name="JYI2005-Outland">{{cite news | first=Katrina | last=Outland | url=http://www.jyi.org/news/nb.php?id=361 | title=New Treatment for Elephantitis: Antibiotics | publisher=The Journal of Young Investigators | date=2005 Volume 13 }}</ref>
 
*Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (Hetrazan)
The good drugs of choice for killing adult filarial worm are Albendazole (broad spectrum anti-helminthic) and Ivermectin. A combination of DEC & Albendazole or DEC & Ivermectin is found more effective
 
==References==
{{commonscat|Filariasis}}
{{reflist|2}}
 
==External links==
==External links==
* {{cite journal | journal=Indian Journal of Urology | year=2005 | volume=21 | issue=1 | title=Special issue | url=http://www.indianjurol.com/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0970-1591;year=2005;volume=21;issue=1;month=January-June}}
* {{cite journal | journal=Indian Journal of Urology | year=2005 | volume=21 | issue=1 | title=Special issue | url=http://www.indianjurol.com/showBackIssue.asp?issn=0970-1591;year=2005;volume=21;issue=1;month=January-June}}
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[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]]
[[Category:Neglected diseases]]
[[Category:Neglected diseases]]
[[Category:Infectious disease]]
[[Category:Infectious disease]]
[[Category:Disease]]


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Revision as of 17:25, 6 December 2012

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Filariasis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms | Physical Examination | Laboratory Findings| Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy | Primary Prevention

Case Studies

Case #1

External links

  • "Special issue". Indian Journal of Urology. 21 (1). 2005.
  • BBC News article on Lymphatic filariasis
  • Filariasis Research at the University of Tuebingen

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