FILARIASIS

Definition
Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by an African eye worm, a microscopic thread-like
worm and is considered an infectious tropical disease. This is extremely debilitating and
stigmatizing disease caused by parasitic worms affecting men, women and children. It affects the
poor in both rural and urban areas. The disease is rarely fatal, however, it causes extensive
disability, gross disfigurement, and untold suffering of millions of men, women, and children.
Causative Organisms
1. Wuchereria bancrofti is the causative agent of filariasis. It is a four-to-five-cm-long
thread-like worm that affects the body’s lymph nodes and lymph vessels.
2. Brugia malayi
3. B. timori
Mode of Transmission
The disease is transferred from person to person by mosquito bite.

Worm Lifecycle

Human filarial nematode worms have a complicated life cycle, which primarily consists of five
stages. After the male and female worms mate, the female gives birth to live microfilariae by the
thousands. The microfilariae are taken up by the vector insect (intermediate host) during a blood
meal. In the intermediate host, the microfilariae molt and develop into 3rd stage (infective)
larvae. Upon taking another blood meal, the vector insect injects the infectious larvae into the
dermis layer of the skin. After about one year, the larvae molt through 2 more stages, maturing
into the adult worms.

Pathophisiology
Clinical manifestations
1. Symptoms vary, depending on type of parasitic worm that caused the infection, but all
infections usually begin with chills, headache, and fever between three months and one
year later the insect bite.
2. There are also be swelling, redness and pain in the arms, legs or scrotum.
3. Areas of abscesses may appear as a result of dying worms or a secondary bacterial
infection.