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PubMed1962

A review of the role of mosquitoes in the transmission of Malayan and bancroftian filariasis in Japan.

Malayan filariasis is found in Japan only on the small island of Hachijo-koshima and is transmitted there by Aëdes togoi and probably by Culex pipiens pallens.Bancroftian filariasis is widely distributed in the three main islands, and is of particularly high endemicity in the south. Of the ten mosquito species proved experimentally susceptible to Wuchereria bancrofti, only Aëdes togoi and Culex p. pallens seem to be responsible for transmission of the disease. The former species is of importance only in fishing villages situated on a rocky seashore with many tidal pools or in villages engaged in the processing of dried sardines. Culex p. pallens is domestic in habit, highly anthropophilic and highly susceptible to W. bancrofti infection, and must be considered the most important vector of this disease in Japan.

Aedes↗
PubMed1962

A review of progress in the chemotherapy and control of filariasis since 1955.

There has been little change since 1955 in the laboratory techniques for seeking new antifilarial compounds, although one valuable addition to laboratory study has been the experimental infection of cats with Brugia malayi.The chief drug for the treatment and control of filariasis-whether caused by Wuchereria bancrofti or by B. malayi-continues to be diethylcarbamazine, and the author reviews the reports recently published on its use. In India and China large-scale campaigns involving the use of this drug have been undertaken; and in Tahiti filariasis has been suppressed and almost eliminated. Campaigns on a smaller scale and pilot projects considered in this survey include those conducted in Pacific islands, Malaya, Ceylon, Brazil, Surinam and East and West Africa.It is generally agreed that the administration of diethylcarbamazine produces a great diminution in the microfilarial counts of those taking it, and in many persons both microfilariae and adult worms are eradicated. The difficulties which arise are due to toxic effects which occur in some recipients and which may adversely affect the acceptability of treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cystic lymph node enlargement of the neck: filariasis as a rare differential diagnosis in MRI.

Cervical lymph node enlargement is a common feature of most inflammatory and neoplastic entities of the head and neck. Filariasis can lead to lymphangiectasis resembling lymph node enlargement; however, this is a rare differential diagnosis in European patients. As ethnic minorities are increasing throughout Europe and personal mobility, e.g. during holidays, is increasing, such rare differential diagnoses have to be taken into consideration. We present the case of an Iraqi patient referred to as for a suspected cystic lymph node mass that was verified histologically by open MRI biopsy and proved to be a cystic manifestation of filariasis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2001

Calcified filariasis of the breast: report of four cases.

Circumscribed to endemic areas throughout tropical countries, filariasis is a rare and unknown disease in Europe. We report four cases of calcified filariasis involving the breast, supporting the diagnosis on the typical mammographic appearance of the calcified worms and the past history of filarial infection. Few reports have been published in the radiology literature about this infrequent manifestation of the parasitation. The purpose of this article is to show the mammographic characteristics of this disease that soon will be seen frequently in developed countries due to the increasing population from the endemic areas.

Breast Diseases↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of quantitative buffy coat analysis in the detection of canine Dirofilaria immitis infection: a model to determine its effectiveness in the diagnosis of human filariasis.

Quantitative buffy coat (QBC) analysis has been reported to have a high degree of methodical sensitivity in the detection of human filariasis. This study was conducted to evaluate its usefulness in the diagnosis of filariasis using a Dirofilaria immitis/dog model. By necropsy of 244 stray dogs, 40.6% of the animals were found to harbor 1-58 worms of D. immitis (mean 6.5 +/- 8.4 worms/infected dog). The QBC analysis and thick blood smear (TBS) method detected microfilaremia in 31.6% and 21.3% of these dogs, respectively. The results of these two methods were highly correlated with the presence of bisexual worms in the dogs. The QBC analysis was more sensitive (55% versus 39%) and efficient (79% versus 72%) than the conventional TBS method. However, accurate speciation of the microfilariae was impossible using the QBC analysis. Although this technique is more sensitive, simpler, and less time-consuming and does not require as much skill or experience in comparison with the conventional TBS method, the failure in speciation of the parasites may limit its usefulness.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Filariasis eradication on Kinmen Proper, Kinmen (Quemoy) Islands, Republic of China.

A control program for bancroftian filariasis was conducted on Kinmen Proper from 1970 to 1982. The combined method of mass chemotherapy with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) for microfilarial carriers and larvicide with sumithion for mosquitoes was used on the island for 3 years (1974-76). The microfilarial rate and microfilarial density decreased from 8.4% and 14.6/20 microns in 1970-73 to 0.7% and 5.3/20 microns in 1976. The infection rate, infective rate, and larval density of Culex quinquefasciatus, the only mosquito vector of the parasite, decreased from 10.3%, 6.4%, and 6.4 in 1970-73 to 0.3%, 0.2%, and 1.3, in 1976, respectively. For final elimination of the infection, DEC medicated salt (0.33%, w/w) was then administered to the whole population for 6 months (March-September 1977). All accepted the program and no adverse side-effects were noted. Six annual follow-up surveys (1977-82) revealed only 3 out of 3853 previous carriers to be positive. These carriers were cured with a course of 5 g DEC. All family members of the 3 carriers and of the 12 neighbouring families were also given DEC medicated salt for 4 months in order to clear the only remaining source of filarial transmission. In conclusion, administration of DEC medicated salt is simple, rapid, safe, inexpensive, efficient, and practical for filariasis control or eradication.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Studies on human filariasis in Malaysia: immunoglobulin and complement levels in persons infected with Brugia malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti.

Levels of immunoglobulins G, A, M and E as well as complement components C3c and C4 have been determined in populations in various endemic areas in Peninsular Malaysia and also in filariasis patients. High immunoglobulin levels were seen. In the microfilarial-negative group IgG was 2009 mg% while IgE was 3967 I.U./ml. In the filariasis group, Wuchereria bancrofti patients had significantly higher levels of IgG, IgM and IgE, namely, 3314 mg%, 804 mg% and 18400 I.U./ml respectively. The significance of these levels is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bancroftian filariasis in two urban areas of Recife, Brazil: pre-control observations on infection and disease.

Bancroftian filariasis is a major public health problem in the city of Recife in north-eastern Brazil. In some of its urban areas microfilaraemia prevalence reaches 14%. This study describes epidemiological characteristics, infection and disease, in 2 urban areas, Coque and Mustardinha, before control measures were applied. The parasitological survey was performed by a 'door-to-door' census covering 5563 subjects, aged between 5 and 65 years. Microfilaraemia was detected by the thick drop technique, using 45 microL of peripheral blood collected between 20:00 and 24:00. In both areas the prevalence of microfilaraemia was 10%, and males had higher prevalences of infection and disease than females. The prevalence of microfilaraemia was higher in the 15-24 and 25-34 years age groups in both sexes. Most microfilaria (mf) carriers (72.1% in Coque and 79.7% in Mustadrinha) had mf densities < 100/60 microL of blood. Females of reproductive age had significantly lower mf densities than males. The overall disease prevalence in both areas was 6.3%. Amongst the subjects who presented with chronic disease 15.7% were microfilaraemic. Chronic disease prevalence increased from 1.4% in the 5-14 years age group to 11.3% in the oldest age group. The most frequent clinical manifestation was hydrocele (5.4%), followed by lymphoedema (1.8%). The epidemiological pattern of filariasis in the populations studied was marked by high prevalence of microfilaraemia, low mf density, and relatively low prevalence of filarial disease considering the level of endemicity.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Advantages of an annual single dose of ivermectin 400 micrograms/kg plus diethylcarbamazine for community treatment of bancroftian filariasis.

In 1994 and 1995, 2 supervised single dose treatments for bancroftian filariasis were given to all inhabitants ( > 3500) aged > or = 3 years on a Polynesian island. This island is divided into 4 political zones. Each zone was treated with a different dosage of the combination ivermectin (IVR) and diethylcarbamazine (DEC) as follows: (1) IVR 400 micrograms/kg plus DEC 6mg/kg, (2) IVR 400 micrograms/kg alone, (3) DEC 6 mg/kg alone (4) IVR 400 micrograms/kg plus DEC 3 mg/kg. 1717 inhabitants (aged > or = 20 years) had venous blood sampled when treated. The reductions in microfilaraemia prevalence rates one year after treatment were, respectively, 32%, 11%, 14% and 32%. The reductions in microfilaraemia levels one year after treatment were, respectively, 96%, 80%, 82% and 95%. Stool specimens from 82 children aged 6 years were examined for intestinal nematodes just before and just after treatment. IVR 400 micrograms/kg significantly reduced the prevalence and intensity of trichiuriasis. The combination IVR + DEC is a powerful tool for the control of lymphatic filariasis. Further studies are required to determine the appropriate presentation of DEC (salt and/or tablets), the frequency of treatment, and the duration of the control programme necessary to eradicate this disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Single-dose diethylcarbamazine in the control of periodic brugian filariasis in Peninsular Malaysia.

The study compared the effectiveness of a single dose of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) (6mg/kg) with the standard regimen of 6 doses (total 36 mg/kg) in mass chemotherapy for the control of brugian filariasis. Mass chemotherapy with single-dose DEC was instituted in one area and standard dose in the other and treatment was repeated after one year. Parasitological surveys were conducted before, and 3, 7 and 12 months after treatment. Pretreatment characteristics were not significantly different between the 2 treatment areas. There was a significant reduction in microfilaraemia prevalence rate from 24.7% to 14.7% at 12 months and to 6.8% at 19 months in the single dose area and from 22.8% to 9.6% at 12 months and to 2.7% at 19 months with the standard dose. Maximum reduction was at 7 months after treatment with both regimens. There was also significant progressive reduction in mean microfilarial density from 4.39 +/- 20.37 to 0.89 +/- 4.16 per 60 microL in the single-dose area and from 4.43 +/- 17.31 to 0.75 +/- per 60 microL in the standard dose area. There was a greater reduction of both microfilarial prevalence and density using the standard regimen but it was not statistically significant. Thus, a single dose of DEC is as effective as the standard dose in controlling periodic brugian filariasis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Epididymal calcification in genital filariasis.

Although calcification of the epididymis has been described occasionally in the histologic sections of sperm granuloma, epididymal tuberculosis, and filarial funiculoepididymitis, it has not been demonstrated radiologically. Two cases of epididymal calcification due to long-standing genital filariasis are presented. Both the patients presented with chronic bilateral funiculoepididymitis, and in one secondary sterility also developed due to destruction and calcification of both the epididymides. Calcification of the epididymis in filariasis appears to be due to calcification of the dead adult filarial worm. Radiologic demonstration of this calcification would help to differentiate various types of funiculoepididymitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Lymphatic filariasis in Madras, India.

This study examines the state of mosquito-borne lymphatic filariasis in Madras, Tamil Nadu, in southern India during the 1970s and into the 1980s. In its various forms it remains a public health problem of considerable magnitude in many tropical countries and affects both rural and urban populations [1. World Health Organization (Third Report). Expert Committee on Filariasis. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 542, p. 7, 1974]. Here problems of delimiting the spatial extent of morbidity in Madras are discussed and sample survey data are examined which suggest that the disease is prevalent throughout the city to varying extents and that community health education is still inadequate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Litomosoides sigmodontis cystatin acts as an immunomodulator during experimental filariasis.

During chronic filariasis, parasite-specific cellular responsiveness is profoundly down-regulated. Cystatins, a group of cysteine protease inhibitors, have been implicated in this suppressive activity. In an attempt to investigate the effects of cystatins in vivo, we isolated and expressed a 14 kDa protein of the rodent filaria Litomosoides sigmodontis with substantial homologies to cystatins from human pathogenic filariae. Cystatin was detected in antigen preparations of several developmental stages of L. sigmodontis, as well as in the supernatants of in vitro cultured adult worms. On closer examination, L. sigmodontis cystatin (Ls-Cystatin) migrated as two separate bands at 14 and 15 kDa. When cystatin was introduced into the peritoneal cavity of C57BL/6 mice via micro-osmotic pumps, the production of nitric oxide was profoundly reduced upon microfilarial challenge and, at the same time, synthesis of TNF-alpha mRNA became up-regulated. Furthermore, antigen-specific proliferative response of spleen cells to circulating L. sigmodontis microfilariae was significantly diminished in the presence of cystatin, whereas the antibody production was not suppressed. In vaccination trials, using the L. sigmodontis/BALB/c mouse model of filariasis, L. sigmodontis cystatin did not generate protective effects in terms of adult worm recovery, however, lower numbers of patent infections, i.e. less infections with microfilaraemia were observed in vaccinated animals. These results suggested that cystatin acts as an immunomodulatory molecule during the course of a filarial infection, and its neutralisation might contribute to generate protective immune responses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diagnostic potential of fractionated Brugia malayi microfilarial excretory/secretory antigen for bancroftian filariasis.

Due to the non-availability of sufficient parasite material from Wuchereria bancrofti, a heterologous filarial antigen from Brugia malayi has been investigated for the diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis. B. malayi microfilarial excretory/secretory antigen (BmmfES) effectively inhibited the binding of circulating filarial antigen fractions (CFA2-1, 9, 11 and 12) from microfilaraemic cases, and of W. bancrofti microfilarial excretory/secretory antigen, to the immunoglobulin G (IgG) fraction of anti-filarial serum immunoglobulins. BmmfES was separated by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose into 2 fractions, BmE DE1 and BmE DE2. BmE DE1 was marginally superior to whole BmmfES and BmE DE2 in detecting filarial IgG antibodies in human sera. 230 human sera from different groups of patients were screened against BmE DE1, which detected specific IgG in 83% of sera from microfilaraemic donors, 83% of sera from patients with clinical filariasis, 17% of sera from normal residents of an endemic area, and in none of the sera from persons living in a non-endemic area. The assay system using BmE DE1, with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 83%, should be very useful in detecting microfilaraemia, particularly in active clinical infections where the parasite is usually not seen.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of the filter paper blood collection method for detecting Og4C3 circulating antigen in bancroftian filariasis.

Serological diagnosis of filariasis is generally known to be more reliable than detection of microfilariae. The recently developed Og4C3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting Wuchereria bancrofti circulating antigen has been shown to be very sensitive in diagnosing filiariasis using serum samples. The commercially available form of this ELISA, using whole blood collected on filter paper, has not been validated independently. We evaluated the sensitivity of this new method against standard 20 microL night blood films in 1808 paired samples from 18 communities in different endemic areas of Ghana. The diagnostic performance of the method was consistently low in all but 2 communities (sensitivity = 50.3%). This method of diagnosing filariasis is not suitable for field use in its present form.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2006

Diagnostic value of IgG isotype responses against Brugia malayi antifilarial antibodies in the clinical spectrum of brugian filariasis.

To study the diagnostic significance of antifilarial IgG subclasses in the clinical spectrum of brugian filariasis, IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4 antifilarial antibodies were determined in an exposed population comprising 74 asymptomatic amicrofilaraemics, 30 microfilaraemics, 20 lymphangitis and 16 elephantiasis patients resident in Narathiwart province, an area endemic for Brugia malayi lymphatic filariasis in southern Thailand. The dominant isotype of antifilarial antibody was IgG4. A significantly higher percentage of individuals were positive for IgG1 in the microfilaraemic and lymphangitis groups compared with the elephantiasis and endemic normal patients, while a significantly higher positive rate of IgG3 was found in those with lymphangitis. The possible role of these isotypes for diagnostic purposes and the pattern of antibody response in various clinically manifesting groups are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Immunodiagnosis of human filariasis by counterimmunoelectrophoresis using Litomosoides carinii antigens.

The presence of precipitin antibody and soluble circulating antigen was demonstrated in sera of individuals with clinical filariasis by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. Antigens derived from Litomosoides carinii and antisera raised in rabbits to the adult worm antigens were used for the detection of antibody and antigen in human sera. Of 35 subjects, 2 had microfilariae in the peripheral blood, 9 soluble circulating antigen, 19 antibody in sera, and 6 had both antigen and antibody. It suggests that 5.7% of cases diagnosed as bancroftian filariasis by parasitological examination can be increased to 62.8% by serological means.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Isolation, purification and characterization of surface antigens of the bovine filarial parasite Setaria digitata for the immunodiagnosis of bancroftian filariasis.

The surface antigens of the bovine filarial parasite Setaria digitata were isolated by EDTA extraction and purified by affinity chromatography using sepharose bound human filarial (Wuchereria bancrofti) antibodies obtained from chronic human filarial sera. The purified and crude antigens were used in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of serum antibodies in bancroftian filariasis. The purified antigen showed sensitive and specific reactions in ELISA for the detection of antibodies in filarial sera and showed least cross reactivity with other parasitic infections. The crude and purified antigens showed about 18 and 6 peptide bands respectively in SDS-PAGE and about 11 and 6 antigenic bands respectively in enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB). The purified antigen was observed to be glycoprotein in nature. It was possible to identify the stage-specific infection in human filariasis by using the crude and purified antigens in EITB.

Animals↗