FILARIASIS

Question 1

Filariasis ALSO KNOWN AS

Answer 1

Elephantiasis

Question 2

• is a neglected tropical disease.
• Hardening and enlargement of the lower and upper extremeties in the scrotum of the infected person.

Answer 2

Filariasis

Question 3

Causative Agents: nematode parasites

Answer 3

• Wuchereria Brancofti
• Brugia Malayi
• Brugia Timori

Question 4

Filariasis nematodes Life span

Answer 4

10 years

Question 5

Mode of Transmission: mosquito vector

Answer 5

● Aedes poecilus (Most)
● Anopheles minismus flavirostis
● Culex quenquefastiatus

Target: Lymph nodes

Question 6

Filariasis Characteristics
D, A, R, N

Answer 6

● Dirty & dry areas
● Abaca plantation
● Rural areas
● Night biting

Question 7

Filariasis Incubation period

Answer 7

8-16 mos.

Question 8

Filariasis STAGES
A, A, C

Answer 8

1. Asymptomatic stage
2. Acute stage
3. Chronic stage

Question 9

Filariasis Asymptomatic stage

Answer 9

LARVA presence in the peripheral blood: minute larva

• it would travel to lymph nodes and replicate & hatch/produce eggs

Question 10

Filariasis Acute stage
L, O, L

Answer 10

● Lymphadenitis (inflammation of lymph nodes)
● Orchitis (inflammation of testes)
● Lymphagitis (inflammation of lymph vessels)

Question 11

Filariasis Chronic stage
H, E, L

Answer 11

● develop 10-15 years from the onset of the first attack

● Hydrocele (inflammation of the scrotum)
● Elephantiasis (inflammation of arms & legs)
● Lymphedema (inflammation of upper & lower extremities)

Question 12

Filariasis Diagnostic Tests

Answer 12

NOCTURNAL BLOOD EXAMINATION
- taken after 8 PM
- Blood sample will be mixed with giemsa and place under the microscope.

Question 13

Filariasis Drug of choice

Answer 13

• DEC/Diethyl carbamazine citrate or Hetrazan
• Albendazole
• Benznidazole
• Steroids

Question 14

Filariasis PATHOGENESIS

Answer 14

1. Mosquito bites infected person (containing microfilariae)
2. Microfilariae enter the mosquito’s midgut along with the blood
3. Mosquito deposits infectious larvae on human skin
4. Infective
   larvae penetrate the bite wound and enter the subcutaneous tissues
5. Mature into adult worms
   in lymphatic vessels and resides for several years
6. Triggers an immune response in the human
   host
7. Damage to lymphatic vessels and surrounding tissues
8. Acute (lymphadenitis, fever,
   lymphangitis)
9. Chronic (lymphedema, hydrocele, elephantiasis)