Lymphatic Filariasis Flashcards
What species cause lymphatic filariasis and what is their distribution?
Wuchereria bancrofti- tropics
Brugia malayi- SE Asia
Brugia timori- Indonesia
What is the vector for lymphatic filariasis?
Mosquitos
Culex- Americas
Anopheles- Africa
Aedes and Mansonia- Pacific and Asia
Where do the adult worms reside in lymphatic filariasis?
The lymphatic system
Where do the lymphatic filariasis microfilariae reside?
In the blood at night, pulmonary vasculature during day
What are the clinical features of lymphatic filariasis?
Asymptomatic Lymphatic dilatation Acute lymphadenitis Elephantiasis Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia
How do you diagnose lymphatic filariasis?
MF in night blood sample
Antigen test for W.bancrofti
Raised IgE and eosinophilia
How do you treat lymphatic filariasis?
DEC and albendazole
Ivermectin and albendazole (not if high MF count)
Doxycycline for 6/52 for TPE and elephantiasis
Typical antibiotics for elephantiasis
How do you prevent and control lymphatic filariasis?
Avoid biting
Vector control
Mass drug administration: for 5yrs in all endemic areas to Tx infected and reduce transmission
What do wuchereria bancrofti MF look like?
Bigger than 200microm
Short head space
Distinct nuclei
Anucleate tail
What do brugia malayia MF look like?
Long head space Nuclei clumped together Two nuclei in the tip Bright pink sheath Body more kinked
What do brugia timori MF look like?
Long head space
Two nuclei at the tip
Nuclei less dense
Fewer body kinks
What does the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis do?
Mass drug administration- DEC, albendazole and ivermectin every 5yrs if prev>5%. If onchocerciasis present then just ivermectin and albendazole. 17 countries now LF free.
Morbidity management with POC- Tx for acute lymphangitis, lymphoedema management, surgery for hydrocoele, Tx for infection
