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| Filariasis | |
 | |
| Edema caused by lymphatic filariasis | |
| Information | |
| Region (s) | Intertropical |
|---|---|
| Cause | Parasitic roundworm |
| Vector | Diptera |
| Contagiousness |  no |
| CIM-10 | B74 |
| CIM-9 | 125.0-125.9 |
| Prophylaxis: | |
| * vaccine | no |
| * medication |  Yes |
| Therapy: | Yes |
| Location | |
 | |
| Geographical areas of filariasis | |
 Medical warning | |
The filariasis is a parasitosis transmitted, especially in hot and humid areas, by the bite of a diptera (Dipter) like mosquitoes (Culicidae), horseflies (Tabanidae), the blackfly (Simulium) or ceratopogonidae (Ceratopogonidae).
Understand
The responsible parasite is an unsegmented dixene roundworm (that is, requiring an intermediate host and a definitive host during its life cycle) called "filaria". The definitive host is humans and the size of an adult heartworm can range from less than one centimeter in some species to fifty centimeters in the female of other species.
There are four types of filariasis which differ according to the system attacked:
Lymphatic filariasis
So named because it attacks the lymphatic system:
- Bancroft filariasis carried by mosquitoes, mainly of the genus Culex. The parasite is the Bancroft wireframe (Wuchereria bancrofti), a translucent white worm with the male measuring 4 cm and the female 10 cm. It is found in the whole of the area of diffusion of the disease;
- Malayan filariasis carried by mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles, Culex and Mansonia. The parasite is the Malaysian wireworm (Brugia malayi), a translucent white worm with the male measuring 4 cm and the female 10 cm. It is found in a triangle, running from the west of theIndia to the korea peninsula and south ofIndonesia ;
- Timorese filariasis carried by mosquitoes of the species Anopheles barbirostris. The parasite is the Timorworm (Brugia timori), a worm that can be physically differentiated from the previous two by a greater overall length and a head having a width-to-length ratio of 3: 1. It is only found in small Sunda Islands.
Cutaneous filariasis
so named because it attacks skin tissue but also, for Loa loa and especially, Onchocerca volvulus, to the eyes :
- filariasis caused by loa loa, also called loiasis, carried by horseflies (Tabanidae). The parasite is the wireworm loa (Loa loa), an opaline white worm of which the male measures 3 cm and the female 6 cm. It is found in the forests and marshy areas of theWest Africa and Cameroon ;
- onchocerciasis, also called river blindness, carried by blackfly (Simulium). The parasite is onchocerca (Onchocerca volvulus), an opaline white worm of which the male measures between 3 and 4 cm and the female 50 cm. It is found mainly in Africa, with a few outbreaks in central America ;
- mansonellosis carried by flies of the genus Culicoides. The parasite is mansonella (Mansonella streptocerca), a very filiform white worm with the male measuring less than 1 mm and the female up to 27 mm. She meets in West Africa and in central Africa.
Filariasis of serosa
so named because it attacks the serous membranes that line the thorax and abdomen:
- pertrans filariasis carried by flies of the genus Culicoides or by the blackfly. The parasite is mansonella (Mansonella perstans), a very threadlike white worm, the male of which measures between 35 and 56 mm and the female between 70 and 80 mm. It is found throughout the distribution area of the disease except in Asia ;
- ozzardi filariasis carried by such flies Culicoides or by the blackfly. The parasite is mansonella (Mansonella ozzardi), a white worm of which the female between 7 and 8 cm. She meets in central America, in Argentina, to Brazil, in Colombia and in Caribbean.
Heartworm
Also called heartworm disease, it is carried by the common mosquito (Culex pipiens). The parasite is heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) which only attacks animals, mainly canines (Canidae) and felids (Felidae) ; the rare human cases are a dead end for the parasite which, even without therapy, is destroyed by the body's natural defenses. Its range is global.
Vector protection
Avoiding filariasis means first of all avoiding bites from Diptera, some of which have diurnal habits and others nocturnal, by taking a few precautions.
- sleeping or resting under a mosquito net with a mesh size less than 1,5 mm and, if possible, impregnated with insecticide which will protect the parts of the body that come into contact with the mosquito net. It is also imperative to check, before each bedtime, whether the mosquito net is in perfect condition;
- use an insecticide indoors, not forgetting the underside of bedding and furniture;
- Apart from horseflies, other Diptera (less massive) are sensitive to air movement. The action of a fan, even if the room has an air conditioning system, will also be part of the means of protection;
- as soon as the sun goes down, to coat the clothes Permethrin or the skin of a repellent consisting of a solution containing 30% of DEET for adults or 10% of the same product for children between 2 and 12 years old;
- day and night, wear loose, long, light-colored clothing.
Parasite protection
There is currently no vaccine to prevent filariasis. However, all populations at risk of lymphatic filariasis is processed by theWHO which calls for a single dose of 2 prophylactic drugs, administered each year, according to the following schedule: either albendazole (400 mg), in combination with ivermectin (150-200 µg / kg), or citrate of ethylcarbamazine (DEC) (at 6 mg / kg). Another WHO recommendation is either an annual oral intake for 4-6 years of diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin, or enriching the dietary salt with diethylcarbamazine for daily consumption.
Diagnostic
Symptoms
Clinical signs
Therapy
Possible consequences
Remarks
Further information
- Media center – The lymphatic filariasis page on the WHO website.
