View source for Lymphatic filariasis

==Background==
*Also known as elephantiasis
*Causative agents (transmitted by mosquito):
**''Wuchereria bancrofti''
**''Brugia malayi''
**''Brugia timori''
*No known natural animal reservoir<ref name="Chandy">Chandy A, Thakur AS, Singh MP, Manigauha A. A review of neglected tropical diseases: filariasis. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2011 Jul;4(7):581-6. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60150-8.</ref>
*Larvae migrate to lymphatic vessels and mature into adults (can take 6-12 months<ref name="Chandy" />)
**These worms block lymphatic vessels, which causes the clinical presentation of the disease
*Coinfection is common (filiariae cause immunosuppression and allows for malaria and/or TB to thrive)

==Clinical Features==
*2/3 will be asymptomatic<ref name="Taylor">Mark J Taylor, Achim Hoerauf, Moses Bockarie. Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. Lancet 2010; 376: 1175–85</ref>
*Chronic infection leads to massive peripheral edema with thickening of overlying skin particularly in lower extremities and genitalia  
*Recurrent [[cellulitis]] is common

==Differential Diagnosis==


==Evaluation==
*Establish possible exposure in endemic areas
*Serology (peripheral blood) - draw at night due to periodicity of filiariae
*Tests for ''W. bancrofti''
**PCR
**Antigen detection
**Ultrasound may occasionally show movement of adult filiariae 

==Management==
*Meticulous skin care to prevent superinfection/cellulitis
===[[Diethylcarbamazine]] (DEC)===
{{filariasis dec treatment}}

===Ivermectin + Albendazole===
*Combined treatment with diethylcarbamazine/albendazole may be more effective than single drug treatment
===Surgical===
*Surgical management of scrotal elephantiasis and chronic lymphatic obstruction

==Disposition==
*Generally may be discharged unless complicated by other factors.

==See Also==
*[[Parasitic Diseases]]
*[[Travel Medicine]]
*[[Worm Infections]]

==External Links==


==References==
<references/>

[[Category:ID]]
[[Category:Tropical Medicine]]