It is the only hospital in Bangladesh to serve Filariasis,Thalassaemia and other Neglected Tropical Diseases . Filariasis : Symptoms, Causes and Management
Symptoms:
Lymphatic filariasis infection involves asymptomatic, acute, and chronic conditions. The majority of infections are asymptomatic, showing no external signs of infection, although their blood is positive for microfilaria. Acute episodes of local inflammation involving skin, lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels. Chronic condition shows oedema with thickening of the skin and underlying tissues (the classical symptom of filarasis). However, the arms, vulva, breasts and scrotum (causing hydrocele formation) can also be affected.The oedema in the extremities, breast or genital area can result in the part becoming several times its normal size and is due to blockage of the vessels of the lymphatic system
Causes:
Most cases of filariasis are caused by the parasite known as Wuchereria bancrofti. Culex, Aedes and Anopheles mosquitoes serve as vector for W.bancrofti in transmission of the disease. Another parasite called Brugia malayi also causes filariasis is transmitted by the vector Mansonia and Anopheles mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites a healthy person, the larvae called microfilariae move into the lymphatics and lymph nodes. Here, they develop into adult worms and may persist for years. The adult parasite, in turn, produces more microfilariae. These microfilariae circulate in the peripheral blood usually in the night, and are sucked by the mosquitoes during a bite. The same cycle is then repeated in another healthy individual. Diagnosis:
Blood sample:
The microfilariae that cause lymphatic filariasis circulate in the blood at night (called nocturnal periodicity). Blood collection should be done at night to coincide with the appearance of the microfilariae, and a thick smear should be made and stained with Giemsa or hematoxylin and eosin. For increased sensitivity, concentration techniques can be used. Serological examination:
Serologic techniques provide an alternative to microscopic detection of microfilariae for the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis. Patients with active filarial infection typically have elevated levels of antifilarial IgG4 in the blood and these can be detected using routine assays. For further diagnosis, consult your physician.
