Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Filariasis (Wuchereria bancrofti)

Infectious Diseases and Microbiology - Filariasis (Wuchereria bancrofti) 
Lymphatic obstruction caused by filariasis.
Wuchereria bancrofti, together with Brugia malayi and B timori, are nematodes that reside in the tissues and belong to the filarial group of roundworms.
Transmitted by an arthropod carrier.The transmission of W bancrofti can be facilitated by several mosquito genera, including Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, and Mansonia.

 W bancrofti is prevalent in numerous regions in Africa, Asia, South America, and the southern Mediterranean.The majority of filarial infections do not exhibit any symptoms. The initial signs of the condition include fever, chills, muscle pain, and lymphadenitis. Chronic inflammation causes blockage of the lymphatic system, which can lead to elephantiasis in extreme instances. Additionally, secondary bacterial infections may arise.

After being bitten by an infected mosquito, the larvae enter the skin and travel through the lymphatic system to the nearby lymph nodes. Following an extended period of incubation lasting between 6 months and a year, the larvae undergo maturation and transform into adult organisms. These adults then generate microfilarial larvae which travel into the bloodstream during nighttime. The microfilariae can be consumed by a feeding mosquito to continue the transmission process. The adult versions have the ability to endure for a period of up to ten years. Chronic disease arises due to inflammation in the lymphatic system, leading to blockage and swelling. Recurring infections escalate the number of worms present, resulting in progressively severe symptoms of the condition.

The microfilariae undergo nocturnal migration into the bloodstream. The thick-smear blood examination should be conducted using samples collected specifically between the hours of 10 pm and 4 am.

Diethylcarbamazine is employed for the eradication of adult worms and microfilariae. Obstructions may require surgical intervention for relief.
Prevention entails implementing measures to control mosquitoes, as well as employing personal barriers and repellents to minimize exposure. In recent times, a strategy known as community-wide treatment has been implemented to mitigate the spread of diseases in places with a high risk of transmission.

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