Elephantiasis (Filariasis)
什么是Elephantiasis (Filariasis)？
Elephantiasis is the common name for a disease called, filariasis. This is a parasitic disease caused by infection by any one of three different species of parasitic worms: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. The disease occurs when the worms grow in the lymphatic vessels of the infected person causing blockage of those vessels so that fluid from tissues cannot drain. Swelling and damage to the lymph glands occurs. In the late stage, extreme and painful swelling of the legs and genitals is known as elephantiasis.
如何获得Elephantiasis (Filariasis)？
The worms that cause filariasis are acquired through the bite of an infected mosquito. The worms then grow in the lymphatic vessels of the infected person. Lymphatic vessels function to drain fluid from tissues throughout the body. Inflammation caused by the worms that block the lymphatic vessels, causes painful swelling and damage to the lymph glands over time.
易感性和抗性
Humans are universally susceptible to filariasis, and repeated infections may occur in regions where filariasis is common.
症状是什么？
Initially, most filariasis infections do not show symptoms at all. However, the adult living worms reside in the lymphatics of the infected individual and can cause progressive lymphatic damage. The blockage in the lymphatic vessels can cause painful swelling in the legs, arms, breasts, and genitals. Secondary bacterial infections in the lymph nodes and channels can also occur and worsen this swelling.
Other symptoms include: high fever, milky white urine, tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (which is a serious condition manifested by nocturnal wheezing and coughing), progressive and chronic lung disease, and recurrent low-grade fever.
预防措施
没有预防丝虫病的疫苗或药物。避免这种疾病的最好方法是避免被蚊子叮咬。携带蠕虫的蚊子通常在黄昏和黎明之间叮咬。为了避免在这种疾病发生的地区被蚊虫叮咬，请在装有空调的房间或蚊帐下睡觉。在黄昏和黎明之间，穿长袖长裤，在裸露的皮肤上使用驱蚊剂。
处理
Treatment with the anti-parasitic drug Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) is generally used to treat filariasis and is effective at killing both adult worms and circulating larva. Ivermectin and albendazole are also used in combination to rapidly suppress the larva circulating in the blood, but these drugs may not kill all adult worms.
Anti-parasitic drug treatment is usually repeated annually as low levels of the larva may reappear after treatment with any drug.
When an individual has an infection, supportive measures include elevation of swollen limbs, exercise, and use of topical anti-fungal or antibiotic medications. These medications can also help prevent further infection and swelling.
Surgery may be necessary to reduce the pressure on organs or body parts from the swelling.
药物
它常见于哪里？
丝虫病感染发生在亚洲的热带和亚热带地区（孟加拉国，柬埔寨，印度，印度尼西亚，老挝，马来西亚，马尔代夫，菲律宾，斯里兰卡，泰国，东帝汶和越南），非洲（许多国家），中部和南部美国（巴西，哥斯达黎加，多米尼加共和国，圭亚那，海地，苏里南以及特立尼达和多巴哥）和太平洋岛屿（美属萨摩亚，库克群岛，斐济，法属波利尼西亚，密克罗尼西亚，纽埃，萨摩亚，汤加，图瓦卢，巴布亚新几内亚和瓦努阿图）。在中东，它仅在也门存在。
