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filariases
Thursday 9 December 2004
filariosis, filarial disease, filariasis
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UI: - Filariasis
UI:990 - Onchocerca volvulus
Definition: Infections with nematodes of the superfamily Filarioidea. Filariasis is a parasitical and infectious tropical disease, caused by the thread-like parasitic filiria worms, Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and B. timori, all transmitted by mosquitoes.
History
In 1866, Otto Wecherer demonstrated the presence of filiria, or filiria larva, in urine. In 1871, Timoth Lewis discovered the presence of microfilaria in peripheral blood; later, in 1876, Joseph Bancroft discovered the adult form. Finally in 1878, Patrick Manson observed the development of Wechereria bancrofti in mosquitos.
Epidemiology
Filariasis is endemic in tropical regions of Asia, Africa, Central and South America. It is extremely rare in Western countries.
Pathology
The presence of living worms in the body is mainly asymptomatic but the death of adult worms leads to granulomatous inflammation and permanent fibrosis.
obstruction of lymphatic system
- elephantitis (swelling in the genitals or thighs)
Clinicopathological types
Types of helminth
Loa sp.
- Loa loa
Wuchereria sp.
- Wuchereria bancrofti
Brugia sp.
- Brugia malayi
- Brugia timori
- zootic north american Brugia
Mansonella sp.
- Mansonella ozzardi
- Mansonella perstans
- Mansonella streptocerca
Onchocerca volvulus
zoonotic filariasis (zoonotic filarial nematode infection)
- Dirofilarial immitis infection
- north american Brugia infection
References
Taylor MJ. A new insight into the pathogenesis of filarial disease. Curr Mol Med. 2002 May;2(3):299-302. PMID: 12041732