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Filariasis
Filariasis is a filarial infection caused by parasitic nematodes (roundworms) spread by different vectors. They are included in the list of neglected tropical diseases. The most common type is lymphatic filariasis caused by three species of '' Filaria'' that are spread by mosquitoes. Other types of filariasis are onchocerciasis also known as ''river blindness'' caused by '' Onchocerca volvulus''; Loa loa filariasis (Loiasis) caused by '' Loa loa''; Mansonelliasis caused by three species of '' Mansonella'', and Dirofilariasis caused by two types of '' Dirofilaria''. Epidemiology In the year 2000, 199 million infection cases of lymphatic filariasis were predicted with 3.1 million cases in America and around 107 million in South East Asia, making up to 52% of the global cases coming from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Myanmar combined. While the African nations that comprised around 21% of the cases showed a decrease in the trend over a period of 19 years from 2000 to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Lymphatic Filariasis
Lymphatic filariasis is a human disease caused by parasitic worms known as filarial worms. Usually acquired in childhood, it is a leading cause of permanent disability worldwide, impacting over a hundred million people and manifesting itself in a variety of severe clinical pathologies While most cases have no symptoms, some people develop a syndrome called elephantiasis, which is marked by severe swelling in the arms, legs, breasts, or genitals. The skin may become thicker as well, and the condition may become painful. Affected people are often unable to work and are often shunned or rejected by others because of their disfigurement and disability. It is the first of the mosquito-borne diseases to have been identified. The worms are spread by the bites of infected mosquitoes. Three types of worms are known to cause the disease: ''Wuchereria bancrofti'', ''Brugia malayi'', and '' Brugia timori'', with ''Wuchereria bancrofti'' being the most common. These worms damage the lym ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Brugia Malayi
''Brugia malayi'' is a filarial (arthropod-borne) nematode (roundworm), one of the three causative agents of lymphatic filariasis in humans. Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis tropica, elephantiasis, is a condition characterized by swelling of the lower limbs. The two other filarial causes of lymphatic filariasis are ''Wuchereria bancrofti'' and ''Brugia timori'', which both differ from ''B. malayi'' morphologically, symptomatically, and in geographical extent. ''B. malayi'' is transmitted by ''Mansonia (fly), Mansonia'' mosquitoes and is restricted to South and Southeast Asia. It is one of the tropical diseases targeted for elimination by the year 2020 by the World Health Organization, which has spurred vaccine and drug development, as well as new methods of vector control. Signs and symptoms ''B. malayi'' is one of the causative agents of lymphatic filariasis, a condition marked by infection and swelling of the lymphatic system. The disease is primarily caused ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of tropical infections that are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are caused by a variety of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms (helminths). These diseases are contrasted with the "big three" infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria), which generally receive greater treatment and research funding. In sub-Saharan Africa, disease burden, the effect of neglected tropical diseases as a group is comparable to that of malaria and tuberculosis. NTD co-infection can also make HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis more deadly. Some treatments for NTDs are relatively inexpensive. For example, praziquantel for schistosomiasis costs about US $0.20 per child per year. Nevertheless, in 2010 it was estimated that control of neglected diseases would require funding of between US$2 billion and $3 billion over the subsequent five to sev ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Mansonella Perstans
''Mansonella perstans'' is a filarial (arthropod-borne) nematode (roundworm), transmitted by tiny blood-sucking fly, flies called midges. ''Mansonella perstans'' is one of two filarial nematodes that causes serous cavity filariasis in humans. The other filarial nematode is ''Mansonella ozzardi''. ''M. perstans'' is widespread in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Central America, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Compared to infections with other filarial parasites such as ''Wuchereria bancrofti'', ''Brugia malayi'', and ''Loa loa'', ''Mansonella'' infections are relatively mild. However, the pathogenicity of ''M. perstans'' infection has been recently reconsidered in various studies. These studies have demonstrated that ''M. perstans'' has the ability to induce a variety of clinical features, including angioedema Calabar-like swellings, pruritus, fever, headache, eosinophilia, and abdominal pain. The overall disability among populations in regions where ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Mansonelliasis
Mansonelliasis is the condition of infection by the nematode ''Mansonella''. The disease exists in Africa and tropical Americas, spread by biting midges or blackflies. It is usually asymptomatic. Symptoms and signs Infections by ''Mansonella perstans'', while often asymptomatic, can be associated with angioedema, pruritus, fever, headaches, arthralgias, and neurologic manifestations. ''Mansonella streptocerca'' can manifest on the skin via pruritus, papular eruptions and pigmentation changes. ''Mansonella ozzardi'' can cause symptoms that include arthralgias, headaches, fever, pulmonary symptoms, adenopathy, hepatomegaly, and pruritus. Eosinophilia is often prominent but do not occur in all cases of Mansonelliasis. ''M. perstans'' can also present with Calabar-like swellings, hives, and a condition known as Kampala, or Ugandan eye worm. This occurs when adult M. perstans invades the conjunctiva or periorbital connective tissues in the eye. ''M. perstans'' can also present with hy ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Wuchereria Bancrofti
''Wuchereria bancrofti'' is a filarial (arthropod-borne) nematode (roundworm) that is the major cause of lymphatic filariasis. It is one of the three parasitic worms, together with ''Brugia malayi'' and '' B. timori'', that infect the lymphatic system to cause lymphatic filariasis. These filarial worms are spread by a variety of mosquito vector species. ''W. bancrofti'' is the most prevalent of the three and affects over 120 million people, primarily in Central Africa and the Nile delta, South and Central America, the tropical regions of Asia including southern China, and the Pacific islands. If left untreated, the infection can develop into lymphatic filariasis. In rare conditions, it also causes tropical pulmonary eosinophilia. No vaccine is commercially available, but high rates of cure have been achieved with various antifilarial regimens, and lymphatic filariasis is the target of the World Health Organization Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis with the aim to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Dirofilariasis
Dirofilariasis is an infection by parasites of the genus ''Dirofilaria''. It is transmitted through a mosquito bite; its main hosts include dogs and wild canids. These can give rise to granulomas in the pulmonary artery. Some common symptoms include cough, fever and pleural effusion. It may also appear on X-rays of the chest. Causes Dirofilariasis is caused by the bites of mosquitoes. The adult worms produce microfilariae in the circulation, which are ingested by mosquitoes when they bite an infected animal. Inside the mosquito, the microfilariae develop into infective larvae. When the mosquito bites another animal, these larvae migrate to the bite site and develop into adult heartworms in the heart and pulmonary arteries. Diagnosis Dirofilariasis is often diagnosed by the examination of tissue obtained as part of the diagnostic investigation of coin lesions. Blood tests are not yet helpful in the diagnosis of dirofilariasis in humans. Treatment Treatment with tetracycline antib ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Loa Loa
''Loa loa'' is a filarial (arthropod-borne) nematode (roundworm) that causes Loa loa filariasis, ''Loa loa'' filariasis. ''Loa loa'' actually means "worm worm", but is commonly known as the "eye worm", as it localizes to the conjunctiva of the eye. ''Loa loa'' is commonly found in Africa.Schmidt, Gerald et al. "Foundations of Parasitology". 7th ed. McGraw Hill, New York, NY, 2005. It mainly inhabits rain forests in West Africa and has native origins in Ethiopia. The disease caused by ''Loa loa'' is called loiasis and is one of the neglected tropical diseases. ''L. loa'' is one of three parasitic filarial nematodes that cause Subcutaneous tissue, subcutaneous filariasis in humans. The other two are ''Mansonella streptocerca and Onchocerca volvulus'' (causes river blindness). Maturing larvae and adults of the "eye worm" occupy the subcutaneous layer of the skin – the fat layer – of humans, causing disease. The ''L. loa'' adult worm which travels under the skin can survive ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Brugia Timori
''Brugia timori'' is a filarial (arthropod-borne) nematode (roundworm) which causes the disease "Timor filariasis", or "Timorian filariasis". While this disease was first described in 1965, the identity of ''Brugia timori'' as the causative agent was not known until 1977. In that same year, '' Anopheles barbirostris'' was shown to be its primary vector. There is no known animal reservoir host. Signs and symptoms Like other human filariasis infections, ''Brugia timori'' filariasis causes acute fever and chronic lymphedema. The life cycle of ''Brugia timori'' is very similar to that of ''Wuchereria bancrofti'' and ''Brugia malayi'', leading to nocturnal periodicity of the disease symptoms. Eosinophilia is common during acute stages of infection. So far ''Brugia timori'' has only been found in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. It is locally confined to areas inhabited by its mosquito vector, which breeds in rice fields. One study of the prevalence of infection in Mainang v ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Loiasis
''Loa loa'' filariasis, (Loiasis) is a skin and eye disease caused by the nematode worm ''Loa loa''. Humans contract this disease through the bite of a deer fly (''Chrysops'' spp.) or mango fly, the Vector (epidemiology), vectors for ''Loa loa''. The adult ''Loa loa'' filarial worm can reach from three to seven centimetres long and migrates throughout the subcutaneous tissues of humans, occasionally crossing into Conjunctiva, subconjunctival tissues of the eye where it can be easily observed. ''Loa loa'' does not normally affect vision but can be painful when moving about the eyeball or across the bridge of the nose.John, David T. and William A. Petri, Jr. Markell and Voge's Medical Parasitology. 9th ed. 2006. Loiasis can cause red itchy swellings below the skin called "Calabar swellings". The disease is treated with the drug diethylcarbamazine (DEC), and when appropriate, surgical methods may be employed to remove adult worms from the conjunctiva. Loiasis belongs to the group of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
Loa Loa Filariasis
''Loa loa'' filariasis, (Loiasis) is a skin and eye disease caused by the nematode worm ''Loa loa''. Humans contract this disease through the bite of a deer fly ('' Chrysops'' spp.) or mango fly, the vectors for ''Loa loa''. The adult ''Loa loa'' filarial worm can reach from three to seven centimetres long and migrates throughout the subcutaneous tissues of humans, occasionally crossing into subconjunctival tissues of the eye where it can be easily observed. ''Loa loa'' does not normally affect vision but can be painful when moving about the eyeball or across the bridge of the nose.John, David T. and William A. Petri, Jr. Markell and Voge's Medical Parasitology. 9th ed. 2006. Loiasis can cause red itchy swellings below the skin called "Calabar swellings". The disease is treated with the drug diethylcarbamazine (DEC), and when appropriate, surgical methods may be employed to remove adult worms from the conjunctiva. Loiasis belongs to the group of neglected tropical diseases, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] [Amazon] |
