How Does Filariasis Elephantiasis Affect the Human Body?
What is Elephantiasis
(Image to be added soon)
The roundworm of the family Filarioidea is responsible for causing a parasitic disease known as Filariasis. These filarial worms are transmitted into the body with the help of blood-feeding mosquitoes and black flies. Elephantiasis is medically named lymphatic filariasis. It is a tropical and very rare condition caused by parasitic worms. These parasitic worms are spread into the human body through the mosquito bites and as a result, skin gets swelled and becomes hard and thick in such a manner that it resembles an elephant’s skin. As the symptoms of infection include enlargement of the arms and legs and swelling which is the reason that it termed as elephantiasis.
Elephantiasis Symptoms
Asymptomatic, acute, and chronic conditions are involved in the infection of filariasis elephantiasis. As most of the infections are asymptomatic which will not show any kind of external signs or symptoms of the disease while contributing to the parasite transmission.
Despite that, these asymptomatic infections will cause damage internally in the body including the lymphatic system and the kidney.
When filariasis elephantiasis develops a chronic condition then it leads to tissue swelling (lymphoedema of limbs) and scrotal swelling (hydrocele). People with elephantiasis experience swelling in
legs
Arms
Genitals
Breasts
The immune system is impaired due to damage of lymph nodes and lymph vessels i.e overall lymphatic system.
A person tends to get prone to repeated bacterial infections of the skin. As a result, the skin becomes thick, dry, and ulcerated.
During repeated bacterial, there are some other symptoms such as fever and chills.
Elephantiasis Prevention
Avoiding the mosquito bite is the best means suggested preventing elephantiasis. Individuals living or visiting a country that is at high risk include Africa, South America.
Individuals should follow the precautions mentioned below
Make sure to cover up their skin especially legs and arms with long trousers and sleeves.
Must sleep under a mosquito net.
Use insect repellent.
Elephantiasis Treatment
One of the painful diseases caused by mosquitoes is elephantiasis. People suffering from an active infection can take drugs or medications to destroy the worms present in the bloodstream. However, These medications are able to prevent the spread of the infection to others. But, all of these parasites are not completely killed off by these drugs.
Antiparasitic drugs that are used as a treatment to prevent this infection are mentioned below
Albendazole (Albenza)
Doxycycline
Rest of the symptoms may be managed with the use of the following medications
Anti-histamines
Antibiotics
Analgesics
Not everyone needs proper medication as they do not carry the worms for a longer period in their system, even if the symptoms are present. In these cases, skin infections and the swelling is managed by:
Gently washing the swollen area daily with soap and water.
Moisturizing the skin
Use medicated creams on sore wounds to prevent secondary infections.
Walk and exercise regularly when possible to support the lymphatic system.
To prevent further swelling, make sure to elevate the limbs when lying down.
Infection can also be treated by using DEC along with the medicines known as ivermectin. This combination shows long-term effects. so, it should be used once a year.
In rare cases, surgery can also be suggested to remove damaged lymphatic tissue. It can also be recommended for mitigating pressure in specific areas, like the scrotum.
Elephantiasis Diagnosis
To diagnose elephantiasis, a doctor will surely ask the person to perform a physical examination. He will also enquire about the medical history and symptoms of the person.
In order to confirm a parasitic infection, a blood examination is always applicable. At night, these roundworms are most active in most parts of the world. According to the recommendation of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the blood sample must be collected during the night. To rule out other symptoms like the cause of the swelling some ultrasound tests and x-rays can be done to detect the parasites. Alternative tests can also be applied but as these symptoms develop a few years after the initial infection so, as an outcome they may show negative results.
FAQs on Filariasis Elephantiasis: Key Facts, Symptoms & Management
1. What is Filariasis, and which parasites are responsible for causing it?
Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by infection with thread-like roundworms belonging to the Filarioidea type. It is commonly known as Elephantiasis. The disease is caused by three specific types of parasitic worms:
Wuchereria bancrofti, which is responsible for about 90% of all cases.
Brugia malayi, which causes most of the remaining cases.
Brugia timori, which also causes the disease but is less common.
These worms target the body's lymphatic system, which is crucial for fluid balance and immunity.
2. How is Filariasis transmitted, and what are its primary vectors?
Filariasis is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person through the bite of an infected mosquito. The mosquito acts as an intermediate host or vector. When a mosquito bites a person with filariasis, it ingests microscopic worm larvae called microfilariae. These larvae develop inside the mosquito and are then passed to another person during a subsequent bite. The primary mosquito vectors vary by region:
Culex mosquitoes, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
Anopheles mosquitoes, mainly in rural parts of Africa.
Aedes mosquitoes, in the Pacific islands.
3. What are the main symptoms of Filariasis?
Many individuals with Filariasis may show no external symptoms for years, despite having millions of microfilariae in their blood. However, when symptoms do appear, they are divided into acute and chronic phases. Common symptoms include:
Recurrent fevers and chills.
Inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) and lymph nodes (lymphadenitis).
In its chronic stage, it leads to lymphedema (severe swelling) in the limbs, typically the legs, and genitals. This condition is what is famously known as elephantiasis.
4. How is Filariasis related to the condition known as Elephantiasis?
Elephantiasis is not a separate disease but rather the most severe and visible manifestation of chronic Filariasis. The filarial worms live in the human lymphatic system, causing blockages. Over a long period, this obstruction prevents lymph fluid from draining properly, leading to a massive accumulation of fluid in the tissues. This results in severe, permanent swelling (lymphedema) and a hardening and thickening of the skin, making it resemble an elephant's hide. Therefore, Filariasis is the infection, while Elephantiasis is the resulting disease state.
5. How is Filariasis diagnosed and what treatment is available?
Filariasis is typically diagnosed by identifying microfilariae in a blood smear sample, which is best collected at night when the larvae are most active in the bloodstream. Treatment focuses on eliminating the worms and managing symptoms. The primary method involves a course of anti-parasitic drugs like Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and Albendazole. These drugs kill the microfilariae and some adult worms, preventing the transmission of the disease to others.
6. Can the swelling from Elephantiasis be cured or reversed?
While antiparasitic drugs can kill the filarial worms and stop the disease from progressing, they cannot reverse the severe swelling (lymphedema) that has already occurred in chronic Elephantiasis. The physical disfigurement is largely permanent. However, management techniques can significantly improve the condition and prevent it from worsening. These include meticulous hygiene of the affected limbs to prevent secondary bacterial infections, elevation of the limbs to improve lymph flow, and specific exercises.
7. Why do the symptoms of chronic Filariasis, like lymphedema, take years to develop?
The development of chronic symptoms like lymphedema is a slow, gradual process resulting from the long-term presence of adult worms in the lymphatic vessels. The worms cause persistent inflammation and damage to the lymphatic system. Over many years, this chronic inflammation leads to the scarring and blockage of lymph vessels. The body's drainage system becomes progressively less efficient, causing lymph fluid to slowly accumulate in the tissues. This is why a person can be infected for years before the visible, disfiguring symptoms of Elephantiasis appear.
8. What are the key preventive measures to control the spread of Filariasis?
Preventing Filariasis involves a two-pronged approach: treating infected individuals and controlling the mosquito vector. Key measures include:
Mass Drug Administration (MDA): Administering preventive medication (like DEC) to entire populations in at-risk areas to kill any circulating microfilariae and reduce transmission.
Vector Control: Reducing mosquito populations by eliminating breeding sites, using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and applying indoor residual spraying.
Personal Protection: Using mosquito repellents and wearing long-sleeved clothing to avoid bites, especially during peak mosquito activity hours.
