Pathogen and epidemiology

• Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Burgia timori (filaria worms)

• Commonest cause of tropical lymphoedema/elephantiasis (differential included non-filarial filariasis / podoconiosis: feet are more badly affected)

Life-cycle

• Mosquito (different types) takes a blood meal

• Larva enters skin

• Male & female adults in lymphatics & produce microfilariae that migrate to lymphatic and peripheral blood circulation

• Mosquito takes a blood meal and ingests mf

Clinical

• Lymph node blockage: lymphedema>elephantiasis, hydrocele

• Acute: fever, LN, tropical pulmonary eosinophila, dermatolymphangioadenitis…

Diagnosis

• Night blood film: mf

• Serology/antigen immunoassay

• Ultrasound

• Eosinophilia

Treatment

DEC

Prevention / Control

• DEC but issue of Mazotti reaction if Onco