Is everyone infected with filaria will have swollen leg

  • Thread starter Thread starter vivek.das2k9
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of filariasis, particularly whether individuals infected with the filaria parasite will inevitably develop swollen legs, especially after initial treatment. Participants explore the implications of early detection and treatment, as well as the lifecycle of the parasite and its impact on symptoms over time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their cousin's initial diagnosis of filariasis and questions whether all infected individuals will experience swollen legs.
  • Another participant suggests that if the cousin remains asymptomatic after nine months, it is possible he may not develop additional symptoms, indicating early detection may prevent typical symptoms.
  • A different participant notes that not everyone infected with filaria will develop deformities associated with lymphatic filariasis, citing technical literature on the subject.
  • Concerns are raised about the adult worms' ability to continue producing microfilaria even after initial treatment, with questions about the effectiveness of a short treatment regimen.
  • It is mentioned that adult worms have a lifespan of 7-8 years, and if microfilaria is controlled, no new adults should develop, but the importance of population-wide treatment to prevent reinfection is emphasized.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the likelihood of developing symptoms after initial treatment, with some suggesting that early treatment may prevent further issues, while others highlight the ongoing risks associated with adult worms and microfilaria production. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the long-term implications of treatment and infection.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the limitations of the treatment regimen, including the potential for adult worms to continue producing microfilaria despite medication and the necessity for ongoing treatment to manage the infection effectively.

vivek.das2k9
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
My cousin from India is detected with filaria in the initial stage. His blood test when consulted doctor was,

Eosinophil count (Haematology) 376(50-400/cmm)
and
Og4C3 (Serology) Wkly +ve 256 ELISA (upto 128 A.U).

The pathologist told him, the values of blood test report were small.

He is conscious that his leg will start to swell. He has taken medicines, now what. The doctor never tell him to come and visit again. Now, its 9 month and no problem yet.

Is everyone who is infected with filaria parasite and medicated in the initial stage, will still have swollen leg.

Thanks.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
I am not a doctor and I am not familiar with the healthcare system in India. Filariasis can be treated in a number of different ways, but no individual regimen seems to be based on a longer than 2 month period. If your cousin is asymptomatic at 9 mos, it is possible that he should not suffer additional symptoms. It is possible that the infection was detected at an early enough stage that he did not develop all of the symptoms typical in a more advanced case.

In the US, it is standard practice to followup with the doctor after receiving treatment. A new blood test might be able to determine if your cousin needs further treatment.
 
vivek.das2k9 said:
My cousin from India is detected with filaria in the initial stage.

Is everyone who is infected with filaria parasite and medicated in the initial stage, will still have swollen leg.

Thanks.

Fortunately, no. Only a fraction of those infected will develop the deformities associated with lymphatic filariasis in endemic areas (where nearly everyone is infected). This is the takeaway from the following article, which is fairly technical.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2784903/

Humans are the only host for the filaria, Wuchereria bancrofti, the most common cause of filariasis. So eliminating the microfilaria from human hosts holds promise for eliminating the infection in endemic areas. However the drugs that kill microfilaria (the juvenile forms) do not have as much effect on the adult form which lodge in the lymphatic system. Currently, up to two doses a year for about 7 years is required to eliminate the infection (the resistant adults just die off).

EDIT:

WHO fact sheet and recommendations: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs102/en/
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the reply.

As the adult worms doesn't die with medication, isn't it, still continue to give birth to microfilaria and increase its number i.e even after medication as in my cousin case because he was given medicine only for two weeks after he got detected and the doctor hasn't said him to continue further treatment.

Or,

Is it, after completion of medicine, the adult worm will not be capable to give birth to microfilaria and become adults.
 
Last edited:
vivek.das2k9 said:
Thanks for the reply.

As the adult worms doesn't die with medication, isn't it, still continue to give birth to microfilaria and increase its number i.e even after medication as in my cousin case because he was given medicine only for two weeks after he got detected and the doctor hasn't said him to continue further treatment.

Or,

Is it, after completion of medicine, the adult worm will not be capable to give birth to microfilaria and become adults.

The adult worms have a life span of about 7-8 years. If you keep the microfilaria under control with medication for that amount of time, no new adults should develop and the old resistant adults will die off. The current treatment regimen consists of just one or two doses (treatments) of a two anti-filarial drug combination per year. Your cousin should check with his doctor to see when his next treatment is due.

Note, it's important that the whole population in your cousin's area be treated or he is at risk to be reinfected if he stays in an endemic area.
 
Last edited: