Filariasisis a tropical disease that affects 1.2 billion people around the world.

It is a
debilitating disease that affects people in Brazil, India, most of Central Africa. The
following paragraphs will cover information related to this dangerous disease called
filariasis.

What is Flariasis?
Filariasis is a parasitic disease that is caused by roundworms. These threadlike worms
belong to the Filaroidea type. They are spread by black flies and mosquitoes. These
filarial nematodes are divided into three groups. This division of the eight known human
parasites is done according to the part of the body they occupy.

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by worms that occupy the lymphatic system.

Elephantiasis is the disease caused by this parasitic infection.

Subcutaneous filariasis is caused by worms that occupy the subcutaneous layer of

the skin. It leads to river blindness.

Serous cavity filariasis is caused by worms that occupy the serous cavity of the
abdomen.

Symptoms of Filariasis
The symptoms of filariasis are different according to its manifestation. In most cases, the
disease is asymptomatic, even if microfilaremia are detected.
Symptoms of Acute Infection

Nausea

Fever

Headache

Backache

Localized symptoms such as lymphadenitis,lymphangitis, epididymitis, orchitis

The affected area is painful, tender, red and swollen

Symptoms of Chronic Infection

Elephantiasis

Lesions on the genitourinary system

The lower limbs are a usually involved, however, breasts in females and upper
limbs may be involved

Hydrocele formation due to infection by Wulchereriabancrofti

Skin rashes, urticarial papules due to subcutaneous worms

Blindness due to Onchocerca volvulus infection of the eye

Advertisement

Causes of filariasis

The filarial nematode worms have a complex life cycle. There are 5 stages in the life
cycle of the human filarial nematode. The male and female mate and the female give
birth to live microfilariae. There are 1000s of such microfilariae born at a time. During a
blood meal, the vector insect, like mosquito picks up these worms and it is in the vector
body they molt and develop into larvae. When this mosquito bites another healthy human,
the larvae are transferred into the dermis. After about a year, the larvae undergoes two
more stages and matures as an adult worm.

Diagnosis of filariasis
Blood tests to identify the worm on Giemsa stain. The gold standard is followed with
the help of the finger prick test. Blood collection is carried out at specific times,
according to the feeding time of the vector insects. In case of some worms that do not use
blood, skin snips are used for diagnosis. Membrane filter, sedimentation technique,
Knotts concentration method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used for detection of
worms for making the diagnosis.

Treatment of filariasis
The main treatment for filariasis is the use of diethylcarbamazine (DEC). The drug acts
on the microfilariae killing them all. However, its activity is limited on the adult worms.
Other drugs such as mebendazole and flubendazole may be used.
Filariasis causes poor health of the sufferer. They are less productive and causes longterm disability. Death rarely occurs due to filariasis. If you notice any swelling on the
genitals or extremities, seek prompt medical care, especially if youhave travelled to a to
the affected areas in the world or live in such regions.
Written by: healthplus24.com team
Date last updated: July 07, 2014

News Letter
Subscribe to our email newsletter.

Men

Women

Children

6 ways to boost testosterone naturally

Stages of prostate cancer

Understanding male menopause

Causes for testicular pain