Introduction

Disease is an unusual, unnatural condition affecting a body's structure and function, which can be identified by signs and symptoms presented by an individual.

Diseases are categorized into various types. Few of them are,

• Infectious disease
• Non-infectious diseases
• Communicable and non-communicable disease
• Hereditary or genetic diseases
• Cancerous disease

Tropical disease

Tropical diseases are the most common infectious diseases in tropical and subtropical areas. Pathogens like viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites are abundantly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions which are the main causative organisms of the tropical disease.

The damp and dank weather provides favourable conditions for these pathogens or vectors to increase their population.

However tropical diseases are less common in temperate regions due to the cold climatic conditions. Hence, the insects enter their dormancy or resting period and their population is controlled.

Some of the tropical diseases are-

• Malaria
• Tuberculosis
• HIV/AIDS
• Dengue fever
• Travelers’ diarrhea
• Lymphatic filariasis
• Leishmaniasis¹

Lymphatic filariasis

Lymphatic filariasis is a tropical disease caused by infected mosquitoes carrying parasites.

These parasites belong to the filarial family. These are roundworms.

It is one of the tropical diseases neglected in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.²

Causes

Roundworms mainly cause lymphatic filariasis. (filarial )

Two filarial worms are Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugiatimori.

These worms are found in tropical and subtropical regions.³

Symptoms

Symptoms such as:

The disorder usually doesn’t manifest any symptoms

It mainly affects the lymph nodes of individuals.

The limbs and legs are commonly affected

Lymph node enlargement causes pain and swelling.

Complications of lymphatic filariasis

Lymphedema 

Lymphedema is an enlargement of lymph nodes. It mainly destroys the immune system of the body.

Elephantiasis 

Elephantiasis is generally the thickening of skin and tissues causing enlargement of limbs. It affects the lower part of the body more.

Hydrocele 

In hydrocele, enlargement of the scrotum is appreciated. Breasts are also involved in some cases.

People face humiliation due to lymphedema and elephantiasis. 

Diagnosis 

Clinical examination such as enlargement of limbs can make out the disorder.

Blood smear examination of an infected individual. The stains used are Giemsa stain or H and E stain.⁴

Treatment and management 

Medicines

Anthelmintic drugs such as albendazole and diethylcarbamazine.

Antiparasitic drugs such as ivermectin.

The above-mentioned drugs are used to treat infections, caused by parasites and worms in the body.⁵

Surgery 

Surgical removal of hydrocele through Hydrocelectomy.Advanced lymphatic filariasis is treated by surgical removal of enlarged lymph nodes.⁶

Mass drug administration 

The World Health Organization has given a mass drug administration plan which is used traditionally and one of the safest methods to treat the infection.

The mass drug administration involves:

Single dose of diethylcarbamazine twice a year for 5 years or more.

A combination therapy of diethylcarbamazine with albendazole and ivermectin can reduce the infection in a greater way.

These treatments are not effective in full-fledged infection but are used

to control the number of microfilariae growing.⁷

Preventive measures 

• Controlling the vector

Mosquitoes grow very fast in these areas. Their numbers should be controlled.

• Hygiene maintenance

Summary 

Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected tropical disease characterized by the enlargement of lymph nodes and skin and tissue thickening, as scrotal, and breast enlargement.

Lymphatic filariasis is common in tropical and subtropical regions due to its favourable climatic conditions for the filarial worms.

These filarial worms are transmitted to non-infected individuals through vectors, mainly mosquitoes.

The vectors inject the larvae into the skin of an uninfected person. These larvae grow mainly into the lymphatic channels and increase in number resulting in infection.

It is mainly caused by filarial worms such as Wuchereria bancrofti.

Elephantiasis and lymphedema are the major complications noticed in lymphatic filariasis. 

Treatment includes anthelmintic and anti-parasitic drugs. Surgical removal or debridement of the hydrocele. Vector control.