Elephantiasis
is a syndrome most often cause by an obstruction of the lymphatic vessels,
which result in extreme swelling of the and tissue, typically in lower trunk
and body. It primarily affects the legs and genitals, resulting in baggy,
thickened and ulcerated skin, along with fever and chills. This condition can
be very painful and uncomfortable and it reduces the sufferer’s ability to leave
a normal life. A serious complicated can be obstructed blood vessels which unit
blood supply and cause the skin to become infected and gangrenous.
is a syndrome most often cause by an obstruction of the lymphatic vessels,
which result in extreme swelling of the and tissue, typically in lower trunk
and body. It primarily affects the legs and genitals, resulting in baggy,
thickened and ulcerated skin, along with fever and chills. This condition can
be very painful and uncomfortable and it reduces the sufferer’s ability to leave
a normal life. A serious complicated can be obstructed blood vessels which unit
blood supply and cause the skin to become infected and gangrenous.
Causes
It
is causes in two ways
is causes in two ways
Lymphatic
filiarisis: is the most common form, and it is cause by a parasitic disease
resulting from a bite from an infected mosquito. This form is causes most
commonly by the wuchereria bancrofti parasites but also can be cause by the
malayi and brugia hmali. These parasites are all nematodes or roundworm.
filiarisis: is the most common form, and it is cause by a parasitic disease
resulting from a bite from an infected mosquito. This form is causes most
commonly by the wuchereria bancrofti parasites but also can be cause by the
malayi and brugia hmali. These parasites are all nematodes or roundworm.
Non
filarial elephantiasis is thought to be cause by persistent contact with
irritant soil. In particular red clay rich in alkali metal such as sodium and
potassium and associated with volcanic activity.
filarial elephantiasis is thought to be cause by persistent contact with
irritant soil. In particular red clay rich in alkali metal such as sodium and
potassium and associated with volcanic activity.
Alternatively,
elephantiasis may occur in the absence of parasite infection, this non-
parasitic infection, this non parasitic form of elephantiasis is known as non-filarial
elephantiasis
elephantiasis may occur in the absence of parasite infection, this non-
parasitic infection, this non parasitic form of elephantiasis is known as non-filarial
elephantiasis
It
is not definitely known if this swelling is causes by the parasites itself, or
by the immune system response to the parasite the worst effect area is
Ethiopia, where up to 68 of the population is effected in endemic area.
is not definitely known if this swelling is causes by the parasites itself, or
by the immune system response to the parasite the worst effect area is
Ethiopia, where up to 68 of the population is effected in endemic area.
How to prevent elephantiasis
As
estimate 6.6 million children have been prevented from being infected, with another
estimated 9.5 million is when the progress of the disease has been stopped. For
podoconosis, international awareness of the disease will have to rise before
elimination is possible. Podoconosis does not yet appear on the neglected
tropical disease list, and is not part of the work of organization such as the World
Health Organization.
estimate 6.6 million children have been prevented from being infected, with another
estimated 9.5 million is when the progress of the disease has been stopped. For
podoconosis, international awareness of the disease will have to rise before
elimination is possible. Podoconosis does not yet appear on the neglected
tropical disease list, and is not part of the work of organization such as the World
Health Organization.
How to treat elephantiasis
Treatment
for lymphatic filarisis defers depending on the geographical location of the
endemic area.
for lymphatic filarisis defers depending on the geographical location of the
endemic area.
In
Sub-Saharan Africa, albendazole is being used with illermettin to treat the
disease, whereas elsewhere in the world albendazole is used with
dielhyleamazine.
Sub-Saharan Africa, albendazole is being used with illermettin to treat the
disease, whereas elsewhere in the world albendazole is used with
dielhyleamazine.
The
parasite responsible for elephantiasis has a population of symbiotic bacteria,
walbachia, that live inside the worm. When the symbiotic bacteria are killed by
the antibiotic the worm themselves also die.
parasite responsible for elephantiasis has a population of symbiotic bacteria,
walbachia, that live inside the worm. When the symbiotic bacteria are killed by
the antibiotic the worm themselves also die.
