Lymphatic Filariasis Introduction Over 120 million people worldwide are affected by lymphatic filariasis. This disease is caused by nematode worms, most of the cases being from a species known as Wuchereria bancrofti, or just W. bancrofti. Those who experience the conditions of the disease the worst are older individuals whom have lived in an endemic area for an extended period of time. This is because of the long gestational period for the parasitic presence to become prevalent by repeated mosquito bites and by the larva reproducing. (USAID, 2014) The disease is commonly referred to as elephantiasis due to the symptom of lymphedema. (W.H.O., 2015) Lymphdema causes the limbs to swell and become immobile, which stems from the lymph vessels becoming blocked by larva nests. (M.C.S., 2014) Another common visible symptom is genital swelling in men, known as a …show more content…
In Egypt, a statue of Pharaoh Mentuhotep II dating to about 2000BC shows signs of what might have been elephantiasis; a common symptom of lymphatic filariasis. Between 1588 and 1592, Jan Hyugen Linschoten described the symptoms of lymphatic filariasis during a trip to the Indian state of Goa. The first actual documented observation of larva in the blood stream was by Jean-Nicolas Demarquay, a French surgeon who extracted it from a hydrocele. A short time later, Otto Henry Wucherer discovered the presence of microfilariae in urine. The connection between the two discoveries and between microfilariae presence and elephantiasis was later discovered by Timothy Lewis. In 1876, Joseph Bancroft documented the adult parasitic worm. Perhaps most importantly; in the following year, Patrick Manson discovered microfilariae in mosquitos. This was the first time mosquitos were found to carry diseases, and would not only affect studies in regard to lymphatic filariasis, but other mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria. (Stanford University.edu,
certain swellings, either on the groin or under the armpits grew to be bigger than that of a
The lifecycle of a heartworms begins when a female mosquito ingest blood containing microfilariae from a heartworm infected animal. Inside the body of the mosquito, the microfilariae develops into first stage larvae (L1) and then undergoes two more process to develop into third stage larvae (L3) of which is the infective stage. Depending on the temperature, this development process can take between eight and thirty days. At this point, when the infected mosquito attaches to a cat and feeds on its blood, the third-stage larva is transferred into the mosquito bite wound. Within three days of entering the cat, the L3 molt to the L4 stage in the tissues and muscles that lay just below the skin of the cat. After about two months of migrating through the muscles and tissues, the L4 undergoes a final development into immature adult heartworms. Seventy to ninety days post infection, the immature adult heartworms then enter a peripheral vein and are carried by the cat’s blood circulation system to the caudal pulmonary arteries. This is where the majority of heartworms are cleared from the cat due to a mass immune response, but a few may continue development into adults. Once the heartworm develop into adults, they invade the heart first and then spread to other organs in the body and cause
Balanitis is a condition of inflammation or swelling of the head of the penis. When the foreskin is also affected, the condition is termed as balanoposthitis. Balanitis can be a painful condition, but it is not considered as a serious one since it can be relieved using topical medications. It is a commonly occurring condition among uncircumcised men that affects one in 20 males, as estimated by the National Health Service UK. It also accounts for one in 10 cases of visits to a sexual health clinic or urology clinic by adult men.
Lymphedema is a condition that causes abnormal swelling of the leg, arm or any other part of the body due to an accumulation of fluid in the tissues. Both men and women who have received infection, surgery, radiation, dissection, abnormalities and treatment within the lymph codes are at the risk of developing lymphedema. However, some individuals can get it for no apparent reason, while others may be born with the swelling.
The symptoms of lyme disease is normally a fever, headache, chills, fatigue, and a rash. Early symptoms might include a rash that is an expanding red area, it forms center of a bulls eye pattern type. Sometimes it is called ‘erythema migrans’, which refers to a rash. The later symptoms will include joint pain, swelling, vomiting and nausea. It might also cause some neurological problems like inflammation surrounding the brain.
The bite of an infectious blackfly is responsible for spreading Onchocerca volvulus. Microscopic worm larvae known as microfilariae in the skin of infected person pave an entry and infect the blackfly. After 2 weeks developing of the larvae to a certain stage that is infectious to humans occurs in the
Elephantiasis, also known as Idiopathic Elephantiasis, is a disease where parts of the body are severely enlarged. This rare disease is caused by an obstruction in the lymphatic system that causes large amount of lymph to build up in the area. Areas normally affected by this are the limbs and external genitals. In places where this disease is reoccurring, the initial cause is believed to be from a tropical parasitic disease. It affects the lymph nodes and lymph vessels.
As loathsome as some people find them, leeches played a relevant and predominate role in the field of medicine in Ancient cultures, starting in 2000 B.C. These blood-sucking annelids were used in the c therapeutic treatment of blood-letting to cure a variety of problematic health issues: diseases, blood circulation disorders, and infections. In fact, So great was the demand for the aquatic worms, that an entire profession was built around the supply of leeches. Thus, the job of leech collector was created, and those who worked in the occupation kept the medical practitioners well supplied with the curative parasites.
Lymphedema, with the associated swelling and pain, is a significant problem in breast cancer survivors. As a result, nurses should understand this complex problem so that they can inform breast cancer patients of their lifelong risk of developing this complication [10]To reduce/prevent lymphedema, nurses should educate breast cancer survivors to follow self-care regimen for controlling symptoms and avoiding exacerbation, such as performing daily skin care; wearing gloves during activities to prevent skin breaks; preventing injury in the affected side; preventing muscle strain; and promoting lymph drainage (i.e. elevate the affected arm, engage in regular, light aerobic exercise daily, maintain optimal body weight and wear a well-fitted compression garment when traveling by air) [25].
Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) is a nematode parasite, which causes heartworm or cardiopulmonary disease, in dogs, and is transmitted by culicide mosquitoes. This type of parasitism could be fatal for dog’s population so, they can die if this illness is not treated appropiately. In addition, the presence of D. immitis in canine poulations implies certain risk to produce zoonotic infections, so that, humans could be infected too (human pulmonary dirofilariosis). Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis has got a cosmopolite distribution, and it is an endemic disease in lots of countries all over the world. Furthermore, it has been spread from these endemic regions durig the last years, so it has appeared in some places where there was not cases reported
In this paper I have discussed the vector borne disease of Lyme disease, and the zoonotic disease of Rabies. Both of these diseases are preventable and treatable but they do present public health hazards. Climate change is adversely impacting environments and humans are now living closer than ever to the boundaries of these diseases. In fact, in greater densely populated areas more and more individuals are coming into contact with such diseases. Prevention requires resources which many developing countries are lacking which leads to inadequate treatment for those whom are
Elephantiasis is a rare medical condition which is easily identifiable. This is due to effects of the condition which is described as gross enlargement of an area of the body, especially the limbs. This enlargement or extreme swelling of body parts is said to reach seven times the normal size. The enlargement is caused from obstruction of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. So, when the condition blocks off the proper function of this system the fluid with toxins build up and causes the gross enlargement.Along with the massive swelling, the skin of the affected area turns dry, thick, and has a pebbly appearance. The disease can be
The animal behind this disease is the filarial worm. This worm is transmitted via mosquito so when the mosquito bites the human the worm is sent into the body which then the process of elephantiasis begins. These worms are sent in the body as I guess you could say babies and
Lymphatic filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is a human disease caused by parasitic worms known as filarial worms.[2][3] Most cases of the disease have no symptoms.[2] Some people, however, develop a syndrome called elephantiasis, which is marked by severe swelling in the arms, legs, or genitals.[2][6] The skin may become thicker as well, and the condition may become painful.[2] The changes to the body may harm the affected person's social and economic
Lymphatic filariasis is a vector borne disease that can serve in the role of infectious disease by harboring pathogens that cause disease only in susceptible populations. Lymphatic filariasis is spread by infected mosquitoes because their bites deposition travels to the lymphatic system, causing it to affect the lymph nodes and lymph vessels. This is in over 80 tropical and subtropical countries, but mainly found in India. In some cases, Filariasis is one of the leading disability that can affect 120 million citizens but it is very rare. In time, the damage to the lymphatic system can cause swelling in the legs, arms, and genitals. This disease increases the risk of more bacterial infections that causes the skin to thicken and harden. In the