Causes of the elephantiasis
- Tumor lesions and removal of lymph nodes, chemotherapy. The affected lymph node misses the lymph with certain disorders. ...
- Erysipelas and phlegmon caused by streptococcal infection. ...
- Damage to lymphatic vessels occurs with frostbite, extensive injuries, burn injuries. ...
- Varicose veins and postthrombophlebitis syndrome. ...
- Parasitic infestations with an insect bite are another reason for elephantiasis. ...
Is there any cure of elephantiasis?
Treatment of elephantiasis always involves treating the underlying condition. Lymphatic filariasis is a chronic lymphedema, which should be treated in the early stages with good compression therapy and garments to prevent elephantiasis. Other signs are treated with diethylcarbamazine. LGV is treated with doxycycline.
What does elephantiasis usually do to a person?
What does elephantiasis usually do to a person? People with elephantiasis will have impaired immune function because of damage to their lymph system. They tend to get more bacterial infections of the skin, causing it to become dry, thick, and ulcerated with repeated infections.
Why does elephantiasis affect only the legs?
Elephantiasis (el-e-fan-TY-a-sis) is the result of a tropical worm infection called filariasis (fil-a-RY-a-sis). When infected mosquitoes transmit the parasitic worm Wuchereria bancrofti to people, the worm blocks the lymphatic system. The blockage causes swelling in the legs or other parts of the body, making these body parts appear large and puffy, or elephant-like.
What is the prognosis for elephantiasis?
With DEC treatment, the prognosis is good for early and mild cases of lymphatic filariasis. The prognosis is poor, however, for heavy parasitic infestations. Elephantiasis can be controlledby taking DEC preventively and reducing the number of carrier insects in thearea.
Which type of mosquito causes elephantiasis?
A wide range of mosquitoes can transmit the parasite, depending on the geographic area. In Africa, the most common vector is Anopheles and in the Americas, it is Culex quinquefasciatus.
What causes elephantiasis disease Class 9?
Elephantiasis is caused by parasitic worms that are spread by mosquitoes. There are three types of worms involved: Wuchereria bancrofti. Brugia malayi.
How does elephantiasis start?
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease. Infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system.
What is one of the main symptoms of elephantiasis?
The main symptom of elephantiasis is gross enlargement and swelling of an area of the body because of the accumulation of fluid. The arms and legs are the areas most often affected. An entire arm or leg may swell to several times its normal size resembling the thick, round appearance of an elephant's leg.
Can elephantiasis cause death?
This paper reports on a case in which a 22-year-old man found dead after continued sitting in a reclining chair for 2 years was determined to have died from a long-term abnormal lifestyle that caused fatal elephantiasis.
Can elephant leg be cured?
There are medicines to treat elephantiasis. Your doctor may give you one called diethylcarbamazine (DEC). You'll take it once a year. It will kill the microscopic worms in your bloodstream.
Is elephantiasis very painful?
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease. It is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitos.
Does elephantiasis spread by touch?
Elephantiasis is a parasitic disease caused by mosquito bites infection usually acquired in childhood causing damage to the lymphatic system. It can lead to enlargement of body parts particularly the limbs. It also spreads from person to person through mosquitoes.
What part of the body does elephantiasis affect?
The swelling and the decreased function of the lymph system make it difficult for the body to fight germs and infections. Affected persons will have more bacterial infections in the skin and lymph system. This causes hardening and thickening of the skin, which is called elephantiasis.
Why elephantiasis is not curable?
People with an active infection can take medications to kill the worms in the blood. These medications stop the spread of the illness to others, but they do not completely kill off all the parasites.
How long does it take to treat elephantiasis?
The disease is typically characterized by the thickened skin and grossly enlarged limbs that earn the illness its name. The infection is uncommon in certain areas of the world, while it is endemic in others. Treatment may take around 8 weeks to eliminate all microfilariae in the blood.
What causes legs to swell like elephant legs?
Lymphedema is swelling of the arms, legs, or both. It results from poor lymph drainage caused by blockage, injury, or abnormal development of the lymph vessels. Extreme lymphedema is sometimes called elephantiasis because the swollen leg looks like an elephant's foot.
What type of disease is elephantiasis Class 9?
An acute disease is a disease that follows a short course. Elephantiasis refers to a parasitic infection that causes extreme swelling in the arms and legs. The disease is caused by the filarial worm, which is transmitted via the female culex mosquito.
Which group of organisms causes elephantiasis Class 9?
The causative agent for the disease elephantiasis is a worm called Wuchereria. It is also known as filarial worm. It belongs to the phylum Nematoda. The disease is characterised by the swelling of legs and scrotum.
What are the symptoms of elephantiasis Class 9?
The filariasis elephantiasis symptoms include:Swelling in: legs. Arms. Genitals. Breasts.Damaged lymph system resulting in an impaired immune system.Repeated bacterial infections of the skin.Fevers.Chills.
Is elephantiasis a chronic disease Class 9?
Elephantiasis and Tuberculosis(TB) are two examples of chronic diseases.
What is the disease that causes pain and disability?
Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic disease that can result in an altered lymphatic system and the abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing pain, severe disability and social stigma. Infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. The majority of infections show no external signs of infection, but they still cause damage to the lymphatic system and the kidneys as well as alter the body’s immune system. When lymphatic filariasis develops into chronic conditions, it leads to lymphoedema (tissue swelling) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of limbs and hydrocele (scrotal swelling).Elimination of lymphatic filariasis is possible by stopping the spread of the infection through preventive chemotherapy.
How many countries are affected by lymphatic filariasis?
Lymphatic filariasis affects over 120 million people in 72 countries throughout the tropics and sub-tropics of Asia, Africa, the Western Pacific, and parts of the Caribbean and South America.
What is lymphatic filariasis?
Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease. It is caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea that are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitos. Mosquito-transmitted larvae are deposited on the skin from where they can enter the body. The larvae then migrate to the lymphatic vessels where they develop into adult worms, thus continuing a cycle of transmission.
Why is preventive chemotherapy used?
Preventive chemotherapy is used at the community level to eliminate microfilariae from the blood of infected individuals in order to interrupt transmission of infection by mosquitoes.
Which country is the only one to eliminate lymphatic filariasis?
Papua New Guinea steps up efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis
Is lymphatic filariasis a subclinical disease?
Whereas the disease was once thought to affect only adults, it now appears that most infections are acquired in childhood. Initial infection is followed by a long period of subclinical disease, which progresses in later life to clinically manifest disease. Lymphatic filariasis can cause of variety of clinical manifestations, that can be grouped in three categories: acute attacks, lymphoedema/elephantiasis and hydrocoele.
Can filariasis be acquired in childhood?
While the infection may be acquired during childhood its visible manifestations such as limbs oedema may occur later in life, causing temporary or permanent disability . In endemic countries, lymphatic filariasis has a major social and economic impact.
What causes elephantiasis in the human body?
Genital elephantiasis can also be caused by bacterial sexually transmitted diseases, specifically lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and donovanosis.
How to treat elephantiasis?
Lymphatic filariasis is a chronic lymphedema, which should be treated in the early stages with good compression therapy and garments to prevent elephantiasis. Other signs are treated with diethylcarbamazine. LGV is treated with doxycycline. Donovanosis may be treated with azithromycin.
What is the most common cause of elephantiasis?
In areas where filariasis is endemic, the most common cause of elephantiasis is a parasitic disease known as lymphatic filariasis and, in the medical literature, the terms lymphatic filariasis and elephantiasis should not be used interchangeably. In most areas, the lymphatic damage associated with elephantiasis has other causes including certain sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., lymphogranuloma venereum); tuberculosis; an infectious disease called leishmaniasis; repeated streptococcal infections; leprosy; and environmental factors such as exposure to certain minerals (e.g., silica). In some cases, no cause can be identified (idiopathic).
What is the initial symptom of lymphatic dysfunction?
The initial symptom of lymphatic dysfunction is a mild edema, which can gradually progress to elephantiasis if not treated.
What is the disorder of elephantiasis?
Elephantiasis is also associated with a disorder known as podoconiosis. Podoconiosis, sometimes referred to as nonfilarial elephantiasis, is a disorder caused by the absorption of minute mineral particles from the soil through the feet of barefoot individuals.
What is the function of the lymphatic system?
Functioning as part of the immune system, the lymphatic system helps to protect the body against infection and disease. It consists of a network of tubular channels (lymph vessels) that drain a thin watery fluid known as lymph from different areas of the body into the bloodstream.
Where is elephantiasis found?
Elephantiasis is present worldwide, but with greater frequency in poor third world regions, including Southeast Asia, India, Africa and South America , and not only as a manifestation of lymphatic filariasis.
What is elephantiasis caused by?
Symptoms. Diagnosis. Treatment. Living With Elephantiasis. Elephantiasis, also known as lymphatic filariasis, is a very rare condition that’s spread by mosquitoes. The common name is often used because if you have it, your arms and legs can swell and become much bigger than they should be.
How do you know if you have elephantiasis?
Symptoms. You may not know you have elephantiasis until you notice the swelling. Not only will those body parts begin to look bulky and lumpy with stiff, tough skin, there is also pain in the swollen area. You may also have chills, fever, and just feel bad all over.
How does a roundworm start?
It starts when mosquitoes infected with the roundworm larvae bite you. The tiny larvae survive in your bloodstream and grow. They finish maturing in your lymph system. They can live there for years and cause a lot of damage to your lymph system. This is what causes the swelling.
What to do if you have a sore spot on your arm?
Check for wounds and use medicated cream on any sore spots.
Why do they do roundworm tests at night?
These tests need to be done at night, because that’s when these parasites are active.
Is elephantiasis a disabling condition?
Elephantiasis can be disabling. Sometimes it’s hard to move the affected body parts, which means it could be difficult to work. It might even be hard to get around in your home.
Can elephantiasis cause anxiety?
It might even be hard to get around in your home. You might also worry about how your condition looks to other people. This can cause anxiety and depression. If you have elephantiasis and want information about support groups, ask your doctor. You can also go online to find resources that might help.
How does the disease spread?
Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading the parasites that cause elephantiasis.
What is elephantiasis caused by?
Prevention. Takeaway. Elephantiasis is a tropical disease caused by parasitic worms that are spread through mosquito bites. The skin gets thick and hard, resembling an elephant’s skin. Although medically known as lymphatic filariasis, the term elephantiasis is commonly used because symptoms include swelling and enlargement of the arms and legs.
Why do people with elephantiasis have impaired immune function?
People with elephantiasis will have impaired immune function because of damage to their lymph system. They tend to get more bacterial infections of the skin, causing it to become dry, thick, and ulcerated with repeated infections.
Why are secondary infections prevalent in elephantiasis?
Secondary infections: Fungal and bacterial infections are prevalent among those with elephantiasis because of damage to the lymph system.
How long do parasites live in the lymphatic system?
Without medical treatment, the microscopic parasites may live for years in the lymphatic system, causing destruction and damage. The lymph system is responsible for transporting excess fluid and proteins and fighting infections. Fluid builds up when it does not function correctly.
How to prevent swelling of limbs?
disinfecting wounds to prevent secondary infections. exercising regularly to support the lymphatic system, as directed by a doctor. wrapping the limbs to prevent further swelling , as instructed by a doctor.
What happens when fluid builds up?
Fluid builds up when it does not function correctly. The accumulation of fluid leads to swelling of the tissue and reduced immune function. Elephantiasis is associated with several physical and emotional complications, including: Disability: Elephantiasis is a leading cause.
What are the three types of worms that cause lymphatic filariasis?
Lymphatic filariasis is caused by three types of microscopic, thread-like worms, namely Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. The overwhelming majority of cases (90%) are due to Wuchereria bancrofti. 3
What is the name of the swelling in the legs and breasts?
Lymphedema. While many people use lymphatic filariasis and elephantiasis interchangeably, it's actually lymphedema that gives the appearance of more elephant-like features. Lymphedema is when there is intense fluid collection and swelling in parts of the body, most often in the legs, breasts, or genitals.
Why does elephantiasis happen?
This is often the result of secondary bacterial infections that happen because the body's lymphatic system is damaged and their immune system is suppressed due to the parasite. 4
How many men have hydrocele?
Some men infected with the parasite develop swelling in their scrotum. An estimated 25 million men worldwide are believed to have hydrocele as a result of lymphatic filariasis. 3
Why are worms so destructive?
The reason the worms can be so destructive in the human body is because they make their home in the lymphatic system. This complex network of organs and tissues is responsible for, among other things, protecting the body from disease and regulating fluid in your tissues. 6 .
What is lymphatic filariasis?
Treatment. Coping. Lymphatic filariasis, commonly referred to as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease caused by tiny parasitic worms spread by mosquitos. While most people don't have any symptoms, the infection can cause painful swelling, particularly in the limbs, that can lead to permanent disability.
How to prevent mosquitoes from spreading?
Mosquitoes are integral to the transmission of lymphatic filariasis, and other harmful pathogens like malaria, West Nile virus, and dengue fever, so reducing their populations and warding against bites is an important prevention strategy. This can be done by: 3 1 Using mosquito nets treated with insecticide 2 Spraying in and around residential areas 3 Wearing bug spray with DEET (if available) and long pants and sleeves 9
What is elephantiasis caused by?
By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MD Reviewed by Sally Robertson, B.Sc. Elephantiasis is a syndrome caused by infection with a nematode parasite called the filarial worm. The parasite is transmitted form human to human via the female mosquito and grows into an adult worm that lives in the lymphatic system of a human.
How do filarial worms live?
Life cycle of a filarial parasite. The filarial worm is transmitted between humans via the female mosquito. When the mosquito feeds on human blood, filarial worms that are in their third-stage of development penetrate the bite wound and go on to become adults that live in the human’s lymphatic system. The adults produce microfilariae which move ...
What is the cause of subcutaneous filariasis?
Subcutaneous filariasis is caused by infection with the parasites Onchocerca volvulus, Loa loa, and Mansonella streptocerca, which all occupy the fat layer of the skin. Lymphatic filariasis is caused by the parasites Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori, which live in the lymphatic system.
Which worms cause elephantiasis?
Another group of filarial worms including Mansonella ozzardi and Mansonella perstans occupy the serous cavity of the abdomen (serous cavity filariasis). It is the parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis that lead to elephantiasis and the features of this syndrome.
Where do mosquitoes move?
When a mosquito feeds, these microfilariae are ingested and move towards the mosquito’s gut and thoracic muscles where they become first-stage larvae and eventually third-stage larvae.
Why is filarial antigen detection important?
Antigen detection using an immunoassay for circulating filarial antigens constitutes a useful diagnostic approach because sensitivity for detection of microfilariae can be low and variable. Unlike microfilariae with nocturnal periodicity, filarial antigens can be detected in blood samples collected at any time of day. A rapid format immunochromatographic test has been shown to be a useful and sensitive tool for the detection of Wuchereria bancrofti antigen and is being used widely by lymphatic filariasis elimination programs. Currently, this test is not licensed for use in the United States and cannot be used for patient diagnosis.
What is the difference between podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis?
Lymphatic filariasis affects all population at risk, whereas podoconiosis predominantly affects barefoot subsistence farmers in areas with red volcanic soil 2) . Lymphatic filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by microscopic, thread-like worms. The adult worms only live in the human lymph system.
What is Elephantiasis Nostras Verrucosa?
Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa. Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa is a rare, disfiguring complication of longstanding chronic lymphedema 6). Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa is characterized by marked edema of the affected extremity, generalized thickening and lichenification of the skin 7).
How to treat lymphedema?
For people with more severe swelling, additional treatments are usually recommended. These include: 1 Manual Lymphatic Drainage – specialized form of massage carried out by a trained therapist to move the skin in specific directions based on the underlying anatomy and physiology of the lymphatic system. 2 Multi-Layer Lymphedema Bandaging – multi-layer system of compression bandages 3 Drug therapy – research is ongoing as to the effectiveness of drug therapy in lymphedema. Benzopyrenes including flavonoids have been used. Coumarin use has been discontinued due to hepatic toxicity. 4 Surgery – rarely performed but may be of benefit for eyelid or genital swelling. Only surgeons who have experience with lymphedema and the lymphatic system should perform surgery.
What is elephantiasis tropica?
Elephantiasis is a symptom of a variety of diseases that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs, male genitals and female breasts. Some conditions having this symptom include: Elephantiasis nostras, due to longstanding chronic lymphangitis; Elephantiasis tropica or lymphatic filariasis, ...
How many countries are affected by lymphatic filariasis?
Lymphatic filariasis affects over 120 million people in 73 countries throughout the tropics and sub-tropics of Asia, Africa, the Western Pacific, and parts of the Caribbean and South America. In the Americas, only four countries are currently known to be endemic: Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Guyana and Brazil.
Why are lab tests negative for lymphedema?
Because lymphedema may develop many years after infection, lab tests are most likely to be negative with these patients.
Is Elephantitis Contagious?
Infected ele phantitis mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting the disease from one person to another. They in fact transfer the larvae of the bacteria into the skin of the host, which grows to become an adult. This causes the grown filarial worms to travel to the lymph nodes of the same, thereby obstructing the lymphatic vessels and causing the vessels to swell. An interesting feature of the elephantiasis worms is that while the adult worms dwell within the lymph, their larval offspring penetrate into the blood stream and thereby obstructs the easy flow of blood through the vessels or nodes. Such a condition of bacterial infection is known as streptococcal lymphangitis. The obstruction of the blood flow may further aggravate to cause gangrene. This process of transmission continues with each new host.
What is the name of the disease that causes the testicles to become big?
Medically termed as elephantiasis or lymphatic filariasis, it is usually misspelt as elephantitis. Elephantitis or elephantiasis disease in males is characterized by the inflammation of the scrotum or the testicles to the size of a softball or even as big as a basketball.
What is elephantiasis diagnosis?
Elephantiasis Treatment. Elephantitis is the common term used for a disease that causes the inflammation and thickening of the skin and the tissues underlying the same. It affects the arms, legs and the male and female genitals most commonly. Medically termed as elephantiasis ...
What is a microscope test for elephantitis?
Microscopic test is a method of diagnosing elephantitis through powerful microscopes which can detect and recognize the presence and type of microscopic parasites.
Why does elephantitis cause nausea?
Fever is a common phenomenon in case of this disease which is just not associated with chill and shivers but also causes the body to perspire abnormally. This causes the person to get highly exhausted and become lethargic and the headache may also cause nausea and vomiting.
Why do people get elephantitis?
However, in case of non-filarial elephantitis, the disease like elephantitis is caused due to the vulnerability of the body to infectious agents such as harmful chemicals. In tropical and sub-tropical areas such as Africa and Asia, most people in rural areas travel barefoot. This causes them to come in contact with alkali metals such as sodium and potassium which move upwards to cause an infection of the lymph. It also spreads in volcanic regions and is one of the foremost reasons of irritation for people with elephantitis in such disaster zones. Elephantiasis life cycle is ensured by the elephantitis transmission through mosquitoes and worms as well as chemical irritants.
How to treat elephantitis?
The first method of treating elephantitis is to clean the affected areas on a regular basis which shall help limit the symptoms of lymphatic filariasis. Disinfectants are used to clean the wound in and around the affected area.
