Filariasis is an infectious zoonotic disease that is commonly found in tropical areas around the world. The cause is a group of parasitic worms belonging nemtoda superfamilia Filarioidea that cause infections resulting in the appearance of edema. The common symptoms seen are the elephantiasis, such as enlargement of the lower leg (foot) and scrotum (scrotum), so that the disease in layman known as elephantiasis. However, this enlargement symptoms are not always caused by filariasis.
Filariasis is usually grouped into three types, based on body parts or tissues that become breeding places: lymphatic filariasis, filariasis subcutaneous (under the skin tissue), and serous cavity filariasis (serous cavity). Lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. Symptoms of elephantiasis (thickening of the skin and underlying tissues) actually just caused by lymphatic filariasis is. B. timori known to rarely attacks the genitals, but W. bancrofti can affect the legs chest and genitals. Filariasis caused by Loa loa subcutaneous (African eye worm), Mansonella streptocerca, Onchocerca volvulus, and Dracunculus medinensis (guinea worm). They inhabit a layer of fat under the skin layer. The latter type of filariasis caused by Mansonella perstans and Mansonella ozzardi, which inhabit the abdominal cavity. All of these parasites spread by blood-sucking mosquitoes or flies, or, for Dracunculus, by kopepoda (crustacean).
In addition to elephantiasis, is a form of attack that appears blindness Onchocerciasis Onchocerca volvulus due to infection by and migration of microfilariae through the cornea. Filariasis is found in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Central and South America, with 120 million people infected. WHO launched a program filariasis-free world by 2020.
Elephant Foot Disease (filariasis or elephantiasis).
diseases caused by filarial worms are transmitted by various species of mosquito. After being bitten mosquitoes, parasites (larvae) will spread and when it comes to network lympa system then develops into the disease.
This disease is chronic (chronic) and if not treated, can cause permanent disability in the form of enlargement of the legs, arms and genitals of both women and men. Elephant Foot Disease is not a deadly disease, however, the patient may be something that feels shameful even can interfere with daily activities.
Elephant Foot Disease commonly found in many tropical regions. According to info from the WHO, the order states that there are patients experiencing disease elephantiasis is South Asia (India and Bangladesh), Africa, the Pacific and the Americas. Later many of them occurring in Thailand and Indonesia (South East Asia).
Elephant Foot Disease Transmission.
The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes which suck the blood of someone who has been infected previously. Infected blood and contain larvae and would be transmitted to another person when an infected mosquito bite or suck the blood of the person.
Unlike malaria and dengue fever, filariasis can be transmitted by 23 species of mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles, Culex, Mansonia, Aedes & Armigeres. Because of this, filariasis can spread very quickly.
Signs and Symptoms of Elephant Foot Disease.
A person infected with elephantiasis disease usually occurs in childhood, where in a long time (many years) began to be felt development.
Acute symptoms that may occur include;
* Fever repeatedly for 3-5 days, fever may be lost when the break and emerged again after strenuous work.
* Swollen lymph nodes (with no injuries) groin area, armpits (lymphadenitis), which looks redness, heat and pain.
* Inflammation of the lymph nodes that drain was hot and the pain radiating from the base of the foot or base of the arm towards the end (retrograde lymphangitis).
* Filarial abscess due to frequent suffering from swollen lymph nodes, it can rupture and ooze pus and blood.
* Enlargement of the legs, arms, breasts, testicles that look a bit red and feels hot (early lymphodema).
While the chronic symptoms of the disease elephantiasis is a persistent enlargement (elephantiasis) in the legs, arms, breasts, testicles (elephantiasis skroti).
Elephant Foot Disease Diagnostic Examination.
Disease elephantiasis is usually detected through microscopic examination of blood, until today it is still considered difficult because of microfilaria just show up and present themselves in the blood at night for a few hours (nocturnal periodicity).
In addition, various inspection method was also performed to diagnose the disease elephantiasis. Among them is the system known as membrane Networking, Methods Knott concentration and deposition techniques.
Method is closer towards the examination and diagnosis recognized by the WHO is the way the system checks "test card", It is very simple and sensitive to detect the spread of parasites (larvae). Namely by taking a finger prick sample of blood droplets at a time when the system at any time, not necessarily at night.
Handling and Treatment of Elephant Foot Disease.
The main objective in the early treatment of patients with elephantiasis disease is to eradicate parasites or larvae that develop in the patient's body, so that the transmission rate can be reduced and reduced.Dietilkarbamasin {diethylcarbamazine (DEC)} is the only drug that is effective for both filariasis bancrofti filariasis and malayi, is makrofilarisidal and mikrofilarisidal. The drug is relatively inexpensive, safe and no drug resistance. Patients receiving this drug therapy may provide local and systemic adverse reactions are temporary and easily treated with symptomatic medication.
Dietilkarbamasin can not be used for khemoprofilaksis. Treatment was given orally after dinner, quickly absorbed, reaching peak concentration in the blood within 3 hours, and is excreted through the urine. Dietilkarbamasin not be given to children younger than 2 years old , pregnant / lactating women, and people with severe illness or in a weakened state .
But in the case of elephantiasis disease severe enough (already enlarged) because it is not detected early, in addition to the provision of drugs would require further measures such as surgery.
Elephant Foot Disease Prevention.
For patients with disease awareness elephants are expected to check their medicine and get treatment drugs that do not spread the infection to other people . For that we need the education and the introduction of disease to patients and the surrounding community .Eradication of mosquitoes each region is essential to break the chain of transmission of this disease. Keeping the environment clean is important to prevent the development of mosquitoes in the area.
Recognize the symptoms of the disease elephantiasis.
Anyone can be affected by this chronic disease. Once infected with microfilariae from mosquito bites, there are three conditions that may occur.
- First, there are no symptoms (asymptomatic). People do not feel sick. No complaints whatsoever, but can transmit the microfilariae in the body to another Horang tubu.
- Second, if symptoms of acute infection due to inflammation. So, there is a sudden fever, pain, swelling, a sign of inflammation of the lymph nodes.
- Third, many forms of chronic infections found in the community, namely the limfaa blockages that can cause swelling in the legs, arms also (when lymph nodes in the underarm area exposed, so that the women can also cause swelling in the breast).
In men, besides the legs, genital area can also be affected, resulting in swelling in the scrotum (balls).
But of the three processes, the first most dangerous condition because it has no symptoms, so that the people affected do not seek treatment, but when the process of transmission to others who are healthy can happen.
Meanwhile, the symptoms of acute filariasis may include recurrent fever for three to five days. Fever may be lost when the break and appeared again after work.
It could also be swelling of lymph nodes (without any cuts) in the groin area, armpits looked redness, heat, and pain. Also occurs tract inflammation of lymph nodes that feel heat and pain radiating from the base of the leg or arm toward the end.
Can also be formed lymph node abscess may burst and ooze pus and blood. Occurs also enlarged legs, arms, breasts, and testicles that look a bit reddish and feels hot.
Thank you for reading this article. Written and posted by Bambang Sunarno. sunarnobambang86@gmail.com
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DatePublished: March 5, 2014 at 12:11
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