Microfilaria
There are three different types of filarial species that can cause
lymphatic filariasis in human. Most of the infections worldwide are cause by
wuchereria Bancroft. In Asia, The disease can also be caused by Borgia Malaya
and Borgia Timor.
The infusion spreads from person to person
by mosquito bites. The adult worm live in the human lymph vessels, mates and
produces millions of microscopic worms, also known as microfilaria.
Microfilaria circulate in the person’s
blood and infect the mosquito when it bites a person who is infected.
Microfilaria grow and develop in the
Mosquito. When the mosquito bites another person, the larval worms pass from
the mosquito into the human skin, and travel to the lymph vessels. They grow
into adult worms a process that takes 6 months or more. An adult worm lives for
about 5-7 years.
The adult worms mate and release millions
of microfilaria into the blood. People with microfilariae in their blood can serve
as a source of infections to others.
Lymphatic filarial affect
120 million person in 72 countries throughout the tropics and sub-tropics of
Asia , Africa , the Western pacific , and parts of the Caribbean and South
America.
In the American only four
countries are currently known to be endemic , Haiti , the Dominican Republic ,
Guyana and Brazil. In the United states , Charleston , South Carolina , was
last known place with lymphatic filaria . The infection disappeared early
in the 20th century.
Currently cant get infected in the United states .
Signs & Symptoms
of Microfilaria
Fever.
Inguinal or axillary lymphadenopathy.
Testicular and / or inguinal pain.
Skin exfoliation.
Limb or genital swelling – Repeated episodes of inflammation and
lymphedema lead to lymphatic damage, chronic swelling, and Elephantiasis of the
legs, Arms, Scrotum, Vulva, and Breasts.
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