Reported by: Carmela Joyce S.

Atto

 Filiariasis
-is the name for a group of tropical diseases caused by various thread-like African eye parasitic round worms (nematodes) and their larvae. -the adult worm can live only in the human lymphatic system. -The larvae transmit the disease to humans through a mosquito bite. -The dse is rarely fatal; however, it causes extensive disability, gross disfigurement and untold suffering in millions of men, women, and children.

Wuchereria bancrofti -a parasitic filarial nematode (roundworm) spread by a mosquito vector. It is one of
the three parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis, an infection of the lymphatic system. -affects: lymph nodes, lymph vessels of the legs, arms vulva and breasts.

Brugia Malayi-results in swelling of the extremities confined to areas below the knees and below the elbows.

Brugia timori- is a human nematode (roundworm) which causes the disease "Timor Filariasis. -rarely affects the genitals.

Loa loa
-is another filarial parasite in humans transmitted by the deer fly.

The parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis are transmitted from human to human through the bites
of Culex and Anopheles mosquitoes.

Persons with chronic filarial swelling suffer severely from the dse but no longer transmit the infection
In India, 99.4% cases are caused by the species Wuchereria bancrofti, whereas Burgia malayi is responsible for 0.6% of the problem

Mosquito bites a person with lymphatic filariasis

Microscopic worms circulating in the persons blood enter and also infect the mosquito

Worms pass from the mosquito through human skin and travel to the lymph vessels where they grow into adults.

(7 years) They mate and release millions of microfilaria into the bloodstream

Once the person has the worms in his/her blood, biting mosquito when it feeds, the dse is transmitted to another person by larvae.

Larvae migrates to the lymph nodes, reach sexual maturity and the cycle is completed

A person needs to get many mosquito bites over several months/years to get filariasis

No symptoms will show until the adult worms die

The dses damages the kidneys and the lymph system; fluid collects and causes swelling in the arms, breasts, legs and for men, the genital area.

The swelling and decreased function of the lymphatic system make it difficult for the body to fight the infection.

Person tends to have more bacterial infection in the skin; thus, skin hardens and thickens. (elephantiasis)

Advance Stages: worms obstruct the vessels causing the surrounding tissues to enlarge.

Conjuctival filariasis: larvae may migrate to the eyes and can sometimes be seen beneath the conjunctiva

Untreated conjunctival filariasis : results to onchocerciasis

Symptoms vary depending on the type of parasitic worm involved. On and off chills
Headache Fever that lasts between 3 mos. And 1 year after the insect bite

Swelling Redness Pain in the arms, legs or scrotum

Areas of abscesses may appear as a result of dying worms or a secondary bacterial infection

Elephantiasis affects mainly the lower extremities, while the ears, mucus membranes, and amputation stumps are affected less frequently. However, different species of filarial worms tend to affect different parts of the body: ''Wuchereria bancrofti'' can affect the legs, arms, vulva, and breasts, while

Filariasis is usually diagnosed by identifying microfilariae on a Giemsa stained thick blood film. Blood must be drawn at night, since the microfilaria circulate at night(nocturnal periodicity), when their mosquito vector is most likely to bite. Also, decreased peripheral temperature may attract more microfilariae.

Circulating filarial antigen (CFA) -performed on a finger-prick blood droplet taken anytime of the day. Results available in a few minutes Pt. History must be taken and the pattern of the inflammation and signs of lymphatic obstruction must be observed.

diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin with albendazole. -Diethylcarbamazine rapidly clears microfilaremia for a long time, but has a slower effect on the adult worms, necessitating repeated doses. - Ivermectin used as a single dose reduces microfilarial levels over a long period, although re-treatment is required at three to 12 month intervals until the adult worms have been eradicated. -Albendazole, though not used for onchocerciasis, may be effective as an adjunct for other filarial infections, due to its effect on the adult worms.

Surgery may be performed to remove surplus tissue and provide the way to drain the fluid around the damaged lymphatic vessels.
Elephantiasis of the legs can be also be eased by elevating the legs and providing support with elastic bandages.

Health education Environmental sanitation Psychological and emotional support to the ct. Person hygiene

Movement- exercises that stimulate lymphatic flow are effective ways of helping individuals to manage lymphoedema. Therefore, movement should be gentle yet deliberate and carried out on a regular daily basis. While movement is focused on the foot, for example, circling and exing it, movement of the whole limb is benecial. Walking and foot exercises are probably the most effective ways of promoting lymph ow (Vaqas and Ryan, 2003). Breathing exercises have not traditionally formed part of the LF programme, however Vaqas and Ryan note that the breathing taught to lymphoedema patients in resource rich countries is similar to that used in some Asian traditional systems of medicine (Vaqas and Ryan, 2003).

The best way to prevent lymphatic filariasis is to avoid mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that carry the microscopic worms usually bite between the hours of dusk and dawn. If you live in an area with lymphatic filariasis: at night sleep in an air-conditioned room or sleep under a mosquito net between dusk and dawn wear long sleeves and trousers and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin.

Another approach to prevention includes giving entire communities medicine that kills the microscopic worms -and controlling mosquitoes. Annual mass treatment reduces the level of microfilariae in the blood and thus, diminishes transmission of infection. This is the basis of the global campaign to eliminate lymphatic filariasis.