Extracts of Plumbago indica (Leadwort) were weakening the worms and in higher concentrations killing adult filarial worms. She also spoke about the discovery of a “lead” molecule (molecule with the potential of being developed into a drug) in Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain), a spice with anti-filarial properties.

Most cases of the disease have no symptoms. Some people, however, develop a syndrome called elephantiasis, which is marked by severe swelling in the arms, legs, breasts, or genitals. The skin may become thicker as well, and the condition may become painful.

The main goal of treatment of an infected person is to kill the adult worm. Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC), which is both microfilaricidal and active against the adult worm, is the drug of choice for lymphatic filariasis.

In accordance with current mass drug administration (MDA) programs, the mainstay chemotherapy against lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are combinations of ivermectin (IVM), diethlycarbamazine (DEC) with Albendazole (ALB) for LF and IVM for onchocerciasis [5].

Elephantiasis is caused by obstruction of the lymphatic system, which results in the accumulation of a fluid called lymph in the affected areas. Functioning as part of the immune system, the lymphatic system helps to protect the body against infection and disease.

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. Aedes and Mansonia can transmit the infection in the Pacific and in Asia.

Nonfilarial elephantiasis (or podoconiosis), an immune disease affecting the lymph vessels.

Currently there is no vaccine available to prevent this infection in human. Multidrug therapy is effective, however, requires annual treatment and there is significant concern of drug resistance.

Infection is usually acquired in childhood causing hidden damage to the lymphatic system. The painful and profoundly disfiguring visible manifestations of the disease, lymphoedema, elephantiasis and scrotal swelling occur later in life and can lead to permanent disability.

While early stages of lymphoedema are reversible, elephantiasis is life-long and causes permanent disability. Although the majority of infected people do not show outward symptoms of the disease, most of them will have early stages or mild forms of lymphatic damage.

malayi is one of two filarial parasites that cause elephantiasis. It spreads from person to person via mosquito bites, which deposit worm larvae into the skin. The parasites wend their way to the body’s lymph nodes and vessels, which normally drain fluid from the body’s tissues and help to fight infection.

Elephantiasis is also known as lymphatic filariasis. It’s caused by parasitic worms, and can spread from person to person through mosquitoes. Elephantiasis causes swelling of the scrotum, legs, or breasts. Elephantiasis is considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD).

Filarial worm infections are transmitted as follows: An infected fly (such as a horsefly or deerfly) or mosquito bites a person and deposits larvae of the worm in the skin. The larvae mature into adult worms under the skin or in lymph tissues.

Signs & Symptoms Some people with filariasis have no symptoms. Other affected individuals may have episodes of acute inflammation of lymphatic vessels (lymphangitis) along with high temperatures, shaking chills, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by an infection with roundworms of the Filarioidea type. These are spread by blood-feeding insects such as black flies and mosquitoes. They belong to the group of diseases called helminthiases.

The incubation period is known as the period between the entrance of the infective larva into the human host and the presentation of clinical symptoms or observable signs. This period of time is completely variable, and can be as short as 4 weeks or as long as 8-16 months (Reference 18).

Prevention & Control

1. At night. Sleep in an air-conditioned room or. Sleep under a mosquito net.
2. Between dusk and dawn. Wear long sleeves and trousers and. Use mosquito repellent on exposed skin. Another approach to prevention includes giving entire communities medicine that kills the microscopic worms — and controlling mosquitoes.

The standard method for diagnosing active infection is the identification of microfilariae in a blood smear by microscopic examination. The microfilariae that cause lymphatic filariasis circulate in the blood at night (called nocturnal periodicity).

Filarial worms are parasitic nematodes that dwell within the lymphatics and the subcutaneous tissues of up to 170 million people worldwide. Among the eight filarial infections of humans, those that cause loiasis, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis are important causes of morbidity.

The skin becomes very itchy and a red spotty rash is often present. Scratching often leads to bleeding, ulcers and secondary infections. The lower trunk, pelvis, buttocks, thighs and legs appear to be the most affected. Microfilariae are the main cause of this dermatitis.

The most common symptoms of scabies, itching and a skin rash, are caused by sensitization (a type of “allergic” reaction) to the proteins and feces of the parasite. Severe itching (pruritus), especially at night, is the earliest and most common symptom of scabies.

Some types of worm larvae (young worms) can also burrow their way into the body through the skin.

However, parasitic infections still occur in the United States, and in some cases, affect millions of people. Often they can go unnoticed, with few symptoms. But many times these infections cause serious illnesses, including seizures, blindness, heart failure, and even death.

Sometimes the worms are visible in the anal area, underwear, or in the toilet. In stools, the worms look like small pieces of white cotton thread. Because of their size and white color, pinworms are difficult to see. The male worm is rarely seen because it remains inside the intestine.

Fortunately, most of it doesn’t make us sick, but some can. Parasites like hookworm, roundworm, and giardia can be passed from dog to human through licking.