FILARIASIS

REPORTED BY:
ANNGELLIAN L. VERDE

Epidemiology
Filariasis,

puts at risk more than a billion

people in more than 80 countries.

Over

120 million have already been affected

by it, over 40 million of them are seriously
incapacitated and disfigured by the disease.

In

the Philippines it is endemic in 45 out of

78 provinces with highest prevalence rates
at Regions 5, 8, 11 and CARAGA.

INFECTIOUS AGENTS
It

is caused by thread-like parasitic

worms such as Wuchereria a
bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B.
timori, all of which are transmitted
by mosquitoes

The

young and adult worms live in

lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes
while microfilariae are usually
found in the blood/

Lifespan

is about 10 years.

MODES OF TRANSMISSION
Bites

of an infected
female mosquito primarily
Aedes poecilius at night

Pathology
Inflammatory changes in the

lymphatics
Repeated attacks of inflammation lead
to dilation & thickening of the affected
lymphatics (lymphedema)
Chronic lymphedema : hyperplasia of
connective tissue, infiltration of
plasma cells, macrophages &
eosinophils
Eventual thickening & verrucous
changes: elephantiasis

Symptoms

1. Asymptomatic: patients have hidden

damage to the lymphatic system and

kidneys. No clinical s/sx of the dse.
2. Acute: attacks of filarial fever (pain and
inflammation of lymph nodes and ducts,
often accompanied by fever, nausea and
vomiting) increase with severity of chronic
disease. vessels)
3. Chronic: may cause elephantiasis and
hydrocoele (swelling of the scrotum) in
males or enlarged breasts in females.

Hydrocele

ELEPHANTITIS

DIAGNOSIS
Physical

Examination
History Taking
Observation of the major and
minor sign and symptoms

LABORATORY EXAMINATION

NOCTURNAL BLOOD EXAMINATION (NBE)

-blood are taken from the patient at the patients

residence or in the hospital after 8:00 pm

IMMUNOCHROMATOGRAPHIC TEST (ICT)

-Antigen test that can be done

anytime

TREATMENT
Treatment

of filariasis involves two

components:
Getting rid of the microfilariae in
people's blood
Maintaining careful hygiene in infected
persons to reduce the incidence and
severity of secondary (e.g., bacterial)
infections.

TREATMENT (DRUGS)
Diethylcarbamazine
reduces
kills

(DEC)

microfilariae concentrations

adult worms

Albendazole
kills

adult worms

Ivermectin
kills

the microfilariae produced by adult worms

MASS TREATMENT
Distribution

to all population
Endemic and infected or not
infected with filariasis in established
endemic areas
The dosage is 6 mg/kg body weight
taken as single dose per year

SURGICAL TREATMENT
Hydrocele:

Excision
Scrotal Elip: Surgical removal of Skin &
Tissue, preserving penis and testicles.
Lymphoedema (Elephantiasis): Excision
of redundant tissue, Excision of
subcutaneous and fatty tissues,
postral drainage and physiotherapy

PREVENTION AND CONTROL

A.

Measures aimed to control the vector

- Environmental sanitation
- Spraying with insecticides

B.

Measures aimed to protect individual & families in

endemic areas
- Use of mosquito nets
- Use of long sleeves, long pants and socks
- Application of insect repellant's Screening of houses
- Health Education

THE END..