Filariasis Flashcards
Infective stage for W.Bancrofti/B.Malayi?
L3 larvae
Name the vector for W.Bancrofti/B.Malayi
Aedes agypti, anopheles, manonia, culex - a mix of night or day biting mosquitos
Which stage of the lifecycle do mosquitos take up during a blood meal in W.Bancrofti/B.Malayi?
pre-L1 larvae - microfilaria
Where do L3 larvae mature to adults in the human body (W.Bancrofti/B.Malayi)?
Lymphatics
What are the symptoms of W.Bancrofti/B.Malayi?
Lymphadenitis, lymphedema, fever, hydrocele
Chyluria - renal lymphatics get blocked - get chyle in urine
What causes tropical pulmonary eosinophilia?
W.Bancrofti/B.Malayi
Microfilariae released into blood from mating adult worms in lymph nodes - IgE response
Where in the world is lymphatic filariasis?
What are the symptoms of tropical pulmonary eosinophila?
Presents with paroxysmal nocturnal asthma + pulmonary infiltrates + eosinophilia >3000/ml, raised IgE, rapid response to Rx
bilateral lower lobe interstitial disease. Mostly young males in India.
What are the key clinical differences between B.Malayi to W.Bankrofti?
Bankrofti - more common (90%) vs Malayi 10%
Malayi - Elephantiasis usually
lower leg, Cold filarial abscesses
What other tests can you do for W.Bankrofti and what would you see?
Ultrasound
”Filaria dance sign”
Can also see adult worms
Lymphoscintigraphy to see extent of damage to anatomy
Investigation of choice in lymphatic filariasis?
Blood sample and smear to look for microfilariae
Taken night time - microfilariae circulate at night!
Drug of choice for lymphatic filariasis?
DEC followed by 6 weeks of doxy
Diethylcarbamazine
Single dose is microfilaricidal but can be given longer to kill adult
Alternatives to Rx of lymphatic filariasis in control programmes?
Single dose of ivermectin or albendazole - microfilaricidal therefore prevent transmission
Another alternative Rx for lymphatic filariasis?
Kill the Wolbachia bacteria which allows the worm to exist
What must you check before Rx?
No onchocerciasis
What is the mass Rx strategy?
IDA
Ivermectin
DEC
Albendazole
Alternative tests for lymphatic filariasis species?
Serology
IgG or antigen test
What is the vector for onchocerca volvulus?
Simulium fly
Infective stage for onchocerca volvulus?
L3 larvae
Where do larvae develop into adults in onchocerca volvulus?
Subcutaneous nodules
What is different about onchocerca volvulus to W.Bankrofti and B.Malayi?
Adults develop in subcut nodules and migrate through SKIN AND EYE not blood
What are the symptoms of O.Volvulus?
-Pruritus, dermatitis
-Punctate and sclerosing keratitis, blindness
-Encapsulated nodules in skin
- leopard skin- hypopigmentation
Which species causes ‘river blindness’?
onchocerca volvulus
Where do the Simulium flies breed?
Fast flowing rivers
∆∆ onchocercaisis
Furuncular myiasis
Subcut cysticercosis
What causes this in severe cases?
O.Volvulus
Leopard skin, severe dermatitis
Skin biopsy of a patient with dermatitis. Which filarial worm is this?
O.Volvulus
No sheath, nuclei not to the end of the tail