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filariasis (wucheresiasis)
Infection of the lymphatic system with Filaria:
1) Wuchereria bancrofti
2) Brugia malayi
3) Brugia timori
Epidemiology:
- mosquito-borne infection
1) Culex fatigans
2) Anopheles mosquitoe
3) Aedes mosquitoe
Pathology:
- larvae produces inflammation & later scarring, lymphatic obstruction & lymphedema
Clinical manifestations:
1) headache
2) photophobia
3) vertigo
4) fatigue
5) low-grade fever
6) myalgia
7) conjunctivitis
8) orchitis
9) lymphangitis
10) lymphadenopathy (acutely)
11) obstruction of lymphatic & venous drainage with edema
12) hydrocele
13) elephantiasis
a) breasts
b) scrotum
c) vulva
d) legs
Laboratory:
1) microfilariae in stained blood smears
2) complement fixation may be positive
3) complete blood count: eosinophilia
4) Filaria antigen in serum
5) Filaria antibody in serum
Differential diagnosis:
- other causes of elephantiasis
Management:
1) antihelmintics
a) diethylcarbamazine 6 mg/kg or 200 mg PO QD for 2-3 weeks
b) ivermectin 150-200 ug/kg single dose
2) Herxheimer-like reaction secondary to dying off of filaria
Related
Brugia malayi
Brugia timori
Wuchereria bancrofti
General
helminth infection
References
- DeGowin & DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination, 6th edition,
RL DeGowin (ed), McGraw Hill, NY 1994, pg 885-86
- Wayangankar S, Chandrasekar PH (image)
Medscape: Filariasis
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/217776-overview