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Results for “Elephantiasis, Filarial”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Endemic non-filarial elephantiasis in Iringa District, Tanzania: a study of 30 patients.

Endemic non-filarial elephantiasis has not yet been described in the central tableland of Tanzania. We report the results of a clinical study in Tosamaganga Hospital, located in the middle of Tanzania (Iringa District). 30 patients with elephantiasis of the lower limbs were studied parasitologically (by blood smears) and clinically. Inguinal lymph nodes were removed from 10 patients and histologically examined. The mineral content of soil samples collected from 4 different areas of the region was assayed by X-ray fluorescence. The clinical, histological, parasitological and epidemiological data prompted us to conclude that in these patients elephantiasis was not of the filarial type, and that endemic non-filarial elephantiasis is present in the Central District of Tanzania.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Economic costs of endemic non-filarial elephantiasis in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Endemic non-filarial elephantiasis or podoconiosis is a chronic and debilitating geochemical disease occurring in individuals exposed to red clay soil derived from alkalic volcanic rock. It is a major public health problem in countries in tropical Africa, Central America and North India. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the direct and the average productivity cost attributable to podoconiosis, and to compare the average productivity time of podoconiosis patients with non-patients. METHODS: Matched comparative cross sectional survey involving 702 study subjects (patients and non-patients) supplemented by interviews with key informants in Wolaita Zone, southern Ethiopia. RESULTS: Total direct costs of podoconiosis amounted to the equivalent of US$ 143 per patient per year. The total productivity loss for a patient amounted to 45% of the total working days per year, causing a monetary loss equivalent to US$ 63. In Wolaita zone, the overall cost of podoconiosis exceeds US$ 16 million per year. CONCLUSIONS: Podoconiosis has enormous economic impact in affected areas. Simple preventive measures (such as use of robust footwear) must be promoted by health policy makers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Filarial elephantiasis of penis: a crippling manifestation.

Filarial involvement of penis in endemic areas is not an uncommon entity. In the late stage it may lead to crippling "ramhorn" penis. A case of filarial penis is presented which was successfully managed by split thickness free graft.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

The site of lymphatic blockade in endemic (non-filarial) elephantiasis of the lower legs.

1. The femoral lymph nodes of 13 patients with endemic (non-filarial) elephantiasis of the lower legs are compared with those of 13 non-elephantiasic adults from the same area. 2. Features characteristic of the disease include reflux of darkly-staining lymphocytes into the afferent lymphatics, crowding of the small lymphocytes into the sinuses with sheets of similar cells in the periphery of the node. The phenomena occur in relation with endolymphangitis of afferent lymphatics in some cases. 3. The picture closely resembles that produced experimentally in animals by occlusion of the incoming lymphatics and is interpreted as indicating delay in, or absence of, transport of the lymphocytes through the node into the central circulation (Gowans cycle). In elephantiasis, the loss of lymph-flow results from endolymphangitis of the afferent lymphatics. 4. The presence of microgranulomata and of birefringent particles was also noted but is not discussed here. 5. The present study indicates that the lesion responsible for the irreversible elephantiasis of the lower legs is in the distal lymphatics.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Prevalence of podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis) in Wolaitta, Southern Ethiopia.

The survey was undertaken to establish the point prevalence of overt podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis) in Wolaitta zone, Southern Ethiopia, and also to determine whether age- or sex-related prevalence differences exist. A cross-sectional survey was performed during May-September 2001 among 33 678 residents of 4210 households randomly selected from all seven woredas (administrative districts) of Wolaitta zone. Trained data collectors administered a simple questionnaire and examined household residents for signs of podoconiosis. Of the residents 1890 had overt signs of podoconiosis. The mean zonal prevalence weighted for the woreda size was 5.46%. Most of cases (64%) occurred in the economically productive age groups (16-45 years). The male:female ratio was 1:0.98, reflecting the gender ratio of the zone. Podoconiosis is an important chronic public health problem affecting both men and women in areas of irritant soil. Further research is necessary to establish the economic effects of the condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Filarial elephantiasis among Haitian women: social context and behavioural factors in treatment.

Few studies have addressed the social and behavioural aspects of lymphatic filariasis. The research reported here investigated the ethnographic context of filarial elephantiasis among women in Léogane, Haiti, and focused on explanatory models of the illness, the impact of the disease on women's lives, and the difficulties patients experienced in following a therapeutic regimen provided at a local hospital. Qualitative data were collected through focus group and individual interviews and direct observation of patients enrolled in the treatment programme. Results indicate that traditional understanding and treatment for the disease are prevalent in the community, although biomedical explanations are gaining credence as a consequence of long-term filariasis control activities in this area. Women's lives are substantially burdened both socially and economically by the physical impairment of elephantiasis, most notably in the loss of income due to restrictions on mobility. The degree of social discrimination encountered varies by the timing of onset of symptoms in the life course. Difficulties encountered with the physical therapy regimen included maintenance of the compressive bandage and availability of suitable foot wear. Similarities between these findings and those reported for other parts of the world are noted. Recommendations from the study cite the need for community education and peer support activities to provide a knowledge base and support structure for current and future intervention programmes.

Female↗
PubMed2001

Non-filarial elephantiasis in the Mt. Elgon area (Kapchorwa District) of Uganda.

Following reports of a high frequency of elephantiasis in Kwen County (Kapchorwa District) on the slopes of Mt. Elgon in Uganda, a baseline survey for lymphatic filariasis was carried out in three villages in the affected area. Individuals aged 1 year and above were examined for chronic manifestations of lymphatic filariasis, and for specific circulating filarial antigens and microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti. Elephantiasis was observed in all age groups from 10 years and above. The overall prevalence was 4.5%, and the prevalence among individuals aged >/=20 years was 8.2%. Males and females were equally affected. However, there were only few cases of hydrocele (overall prevalence in males of 1.0%) and blood examinations were negative for W. bancrofti circulating antigens and microfilariae. Sampling of potential filariasis mosquito vectors revealed low densities of Anopheles gambiae s.l. and An. funestus, and none of these were infected with filarial larvae. In view of the low hydrocele to elephantiasis ratio, the absence of filarial infection in humans and mosquitoes, the high altitude (1500-2200 m above sea level) and the volcanic soil type, it is concluded that elephantiasis seen in this area is not of filarial origin but most likely is due to podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Filarial elephantiasis in French Polynesia: a study concerning the beliefs of 127 patients about the origin of their disease.

127 patients from Tahiti who were suffering from elephantiasis were interviewed about their opinion of the origin of their disease. Ancestral beliefs are still widely held even after 25 years of antifilarial campaigns which have resulted in a drastic decrease in endemicity with almost no clinical incidence. It is disappointing that the responsibility of mosquitoes is denied by a majority of patients. The explanations are to be found in the unusual evolution of this disease and in the small importance attached to sanitary education.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis) in two resettlement schemes in western Ethiopia.

In a population-based study of podoconiosis in two resettlement schemes in western Ethiopia, we found that 5% of 194 settlers and 9% of 222 indigenous people were affected. Prevalence rates were generally higher in males than females and increased with age, indicating sex differences in occupationally linked trauma to the feet and the cumulative effect of long-term exposure to volcanic soils. Persons wearing shoes had significantly lower rates than those usually walking barefoot. Suggestions are made for the control of podoconiosis.

Adult↗