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Curr Drug Targets 2020 Jun 30. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Pharmacy, Kumhari, Durg, Chhattisgarh. India.

Lymphatic filariasis is one of the oldest and debilitating health problems for human beings. Currently, 856 million people in 52 countries worldwide affected by lymphatic filariasis. It is a parasitic disease with initial clinical manifestations like the presence of high fever with or without rigors. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 May 21;9(5). Epub 2020 May 21.

Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska University Hospital, 141 86 Huddinge, Sweden.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease targeted for elimination as public health problem through morbidity management and preventive annual mass drug administration (MDA). This cross-sectional community-based surveillance assessed the prevalence and correlates of LF infection in Mkinga district, Tanga-region, Tanzania. A total of 4115 individuals (49. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020 03 25;14(3):e0008003. Epub 2020 Mar 25.

Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in 72 countries of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. An estimated 25 million men live with the disabling effects of filarial hydrocele. Hydrocele can be corrected with surgery with few complications. Read More

Protein Pept Lett 2020 Feb 25. Epub 2020 Feb 25.

King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah. Saudi Arabia.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the incapacitating and mosquito-borne sicknesses that on progression may prompt a few recognizable types of clutters like extreme lymphedema, hydrocele, and elephantiasis Methods: Antigenic preparations of B. malayi adult (BmA), S. cervi adult parasites and microfilariae (mf) total parasite extract were used to analyze the serological reactivity profile with human infectious sera collected from endemic areas of bancroftian filariasis by performing Western blot and ELISA analysis. Read More

Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2019 Nov;31(6):673-675

Huai'an Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Province, Huai'an 223001, China.

Objective: To understand the current status of chronic filariasis patients in Huai'an City, so as to provide insights into the future care of chronic filariasis patients.

Methods: According to the data pertaining to the historically registered chronic filariasis patients in Huai 'an City, each case was followed up and the baseline data of chronic filariasis patients were captured using questionnaire survey. The demographic and clinical features of the patients, and the distribution and coverage of the care sites were analyzed. Read More

Curr Drug Targets 2020 ;21(7):657-680

Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Background And Objectives: Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by infection with filarial worms that are transmitted through mosquito bites. Globally, 120 million people are infected, with nearly 40 million people disfigured and disabled by complications such as severe swelling of the legs (elephantiasis) or scrotum (hydrocele). Current treatments (ivermectin, diethylcarbamazine) have limited effects on adult parasites and produce side effects; therefore, there is an urgent to search for new antifilarial agents. Read More

Parasitol Res 2019 Oct 4;118(10):2957-2968. Epub 2019 Sep 4.

Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany.

A striking feature of lymphatic filariasis (LF) is the clinical heterogeneity among exposed individuals. While endemic normals (EN) remain free of infection despite constant exposure to the infective larvae, a small group of patients, generally microfilaria free (Mf-) develops severe pathology (CP) such as lymphedema or hydrocele. Another group of infected individuals remains asymptomatic while expressing large amounts of microfilariae (Mf+). Read More

Acta Trop 2019 Nov 7;199:105121. Epub 2019 Aug 7.

Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, Egypt.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been known in Egypt since ancient times. By 1930s it was recognized to be a major public health problem in the Nile Delta, and to be caused by Wuchereria bancrofti and transmitted by Culex pipiens. Remarkably, as a result of widespread DEC treatment and intensive vector control by the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the infection rate of LF declined in the 1960s. Read More

Trop Med Health 2019 15;47:43. Epub 2019 Jul 15.

3Formerly with Vector Control Research Centre (ICMR), Indira Nagar, Pondicherry, 605006 India.

Background: Tonga was highly endemic for lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by diurnally sub-periodic i transmitted by vector species. LF prevalence declined very appreciably as a result of chemotherapeutic intervention measures implemented in 1977, but low levels of infection persisted. Along with other Pacific Island countries and in partnership with the Pacific Programme to Eliminate LF (PacELF), Tonga implemented a programme to eliminate LF as a public health problem. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 07 15;13(7):e0007542. Epub 2019 Jul 15.

Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Background: The Bangladesh Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) Elimination Programme has made significant progress in interrupting transmission through mass drug administration (MDA) and has now focussed its efforts on scaling up managing morbidity and preventing disability (MMDP) activities to deliver the minimum package of care to people affected by LF clinical conditions. This paper highlights the Bangladesh LF Programme's success in conducting a large-scale cross-sectional survey to determine the number of people affected by lymphoedema and hydrocoele, which enabled clinical risk maps to be developed for targeted interventions across the 34 endemic districts (19 high endemic; 15 low endemic).

Methodology/principal Findings: In the 19 high endemic districts, 8,145 community clinic staff were trained to identify and report patients in their catchment area. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 05 23;13(5):e0007436. Epub 2019 May 23.

Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

Despite worldwide mass drug administration, it is estimated that 68 million individuals are still infected with lymphatic filariasis with 19 million hydrocele and 17 million lymphedema reported cases. Despite the staggering number of pathology cases, the majority of LF-infected individuals do not develop clinical symptoms and present a tightly regulated immune system characterized by higher frequencies of regulatory T cells (Treg), suppressed proliferation and Th2 cytokine responses accompanied with increased secretion of IL-10, TGF-β and infection-specific IgG4. Nevertheless, the filarial-induced modulation of the host`s immune system and especially the role of regulatory immune cells like regulatory B (Breg) and Treg during an ongoing LF infection remains unknown. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 May 20;19(1):442. Epub 2019 May 20.

Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana.

Background: Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease caused by the filarial nematode parasites that can lead to the disfiguring swelling of the limbs (lymphedema or elephantiasis for late stage) and/or genitalia (hydrocele) in men. Growing evidence suggests that not only are filarial lymphedema patients confronted with huge societal stigma and discrimination, but also experience acute filarial attacks accompanied by swelling of the affected part(s), fever, wounds and peeling of the skin of affected limbs(s). However, the extent to which seasonal variation influence filarial attacks among people with lymphedema was highly speculated without empirical evidence and was thus investigated. Read More

Mol Biol Evol 2019 09;36(9):1931-1941

Global Health and Disease, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.

The human disease lymphatic filariasis causes the debilitating effects of elephantiasis and hydrocele. Lymphatic filariasis currently affects the lives of 90 million people in 52 countries. There are three nematodes that cause lymphatic filariasis, Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, and Wuchereria bancrofti, but 90% of all cases of lymphatic filariasis are caused solely by W. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Apr 23;19(1):332. Epub 2019 Apr 23.

MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, Faculty of Medicine, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease and a major cause of disability worldwide. To effectively plan morbidity management programmes, it is important to estimate disease burden and evaluate the needs of patients. This study aimed to estimate patient numbers and characterise the physical, social and economic impact of LF in in rural Nigeria. Read More

Intern Med 2019 08 17;58(16):2425. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan.

Intern Med 2019 08 17;58(16):2423. Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Division of General Medicine, Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Japan.

Adv Parasitol 2019 16;103:117-149. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Study Objectives: This article presents findings from a rapid review of qualitative research conducted to inform decision makers about community and drug distributor perceptions and experiences of mass drug administration campaigns for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis. We focused on questions related to acceptability of the mass drug administration campaigns within these groups and their thoughts around the feasibility of planning and carrying out the campaigns.

Methods: We carried out a systematic search in five databases to identify potential studies. Read More

Parasitol Res 2019 Feb 15;118(2):539-549. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP), University Hospital of Bonn, Sigmund Freud Str. 25, 53127, Bonn, Germany.

Worldwide approximately 68 million people are infected with lymphatic filariasis (Lf), provoked by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. This disease can lead to massive swelling of the limbs (elephantiasis) and disfigurement of the male genitalia (hydrocele). Filarial induced immune regulation is characterised by dominant type 2 helper T cell and regulatory immune responses. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 02;100(2):344-350

Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute of Immunology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic infection, caused by three closely related nematodes, namely , , and . Previously, we have shown that lysate from microfilariae induces the expression of interleukin and programmed death-ligand on monocytes, which lead to inhibition of CD4 T-cell responses. In this study, we investigated associations of and programmed cell death pathway gene polymorphisms with clinical manifestation in LF. Read More

Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2018 Nov;30(5):563-566

Key Laboratory of National Health Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Wuxi 214064, China.

Objective: To understand the current status of chronic filariasis patients in Jiangsu Province so as to provide basic data for following-up care for them.

Methods: The patients were followed up one by one according to history archives between June and July, 2018, and the clue investigation was also conducted. The base data of the patients was collected through a face-to-face questionnaire survey and analyzed. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2018 Nov 13;11(1):588. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.

Background: Control of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in most of the sub-Saharan African countries is based on annual mass drug administration (MDA) using a combination of ivermectin and albendazole. Monitoring the impact of this intervention is crucial for measuring the success of the LF elimination programmes. This study assessed the status of LF infection in Rufiji district, southeastern Tanzania after twelve rounds of MDA. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 11 12;12(11):e0006944. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

College of Medicine & Dentistry, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

Lymphatic filariasis is widely endemic in Myanmar. Despite the establishment of an elimination program in 2000, knowledge of the remaining burden of disease relies predominantly on programmatic information. To assist the program, we conducted an independent cross-sectional household cluster survey to determine the prevalence of filariasis infection, morbidity and mass-drug administration coverage in four townships of the Mandalay Region: Amarapura, Patheingyi, Tada-U and Wundwin. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Sep 26;2018. Epub 2018 Sep 26.

General Surgery, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, Delhi, India.

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by nematode filariae , or It is commonly seen in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and affects the lymphatic system of humans, who are the definitive host while mosquito is the intermediate host. The most common manifestation of the disease is hydrocele followed by lower limb lymphoedema and elephantiasis. Although filariasis is much more common entity in north India, its presentation as retroperitoneal cyst is very rare with reported incidence rate of 1/105 000. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2018 Jul 20;11(1):429. Epub 2018 Jul 20.

Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 100, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) control in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa is based on annual mass drug administration (MDA) with a combination of ivermectin and albendazole, in order to interrupt transmission. However, attaining and maintaining high treatment coverage has been a challenge in many LF control programmes. This study was designed to elucidate reasons for continued transmission of LF in an endemic area of Tanga, northeastern Tanzania, where control activities based on MDA had been in place for eight years by the time of this study in 2012. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 07 2;12(7):e0006491. Epub 2018 Jul 2.

Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and podoconiosis are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that pose a significant physical, social and economic burden to endemic communities. Patients affected by the clinical conditions of LF (lymphoedema and hydrocoele) and podoconiosis (lymphoedema) need access to morbidity management and disability prevention (MMDP) services. Clear estimates of the number and location of these patients are essential to the efficient and equitable implementation of MMDP services for both diseases. Read More

PLoS One 2018 21;13(6):e0199090. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Division of Immunology, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

Lymphatic filariasis is a complex parasitic disease having a spectrum of clinical parameters which are critical in deciding the severity of the pathogenesis. Individuals residing in the endemic areas are categorized into different clinical groups such as: EC (endemic controls-free of disease and infection), AS (asymptomatic carriers- free of disease but carries both antigens and microfilaria (Mf) in circulation), CR (cryptic-free of disease and Mf but having circulatory antigen) and CH (chronic-having manifestations of elephantiasis and hydrocele). The immune response to the parasitic infection is well studied, whereas the protective mechanism explaining the fate of antigenemia and filaremia between AS and CR group remains unexplained. Read More

J Trop Med 2018 16;2018:5134670. Epub 2018 May 16.

Núcleo de Ensino, Pesquisa e Assistência em Filariose (NEPAF), Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.

Background: In endemic areas, lymphangiectasia is the fundamental alteration to live adult worms which, in adult males, are usually found in the lymphatic vessels of the spermatic cord; accordingly, hydrocele/filaricele is the most common clinical manifestation of bancroftian filariasis. The pathogenic role of the lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) and the status of mesothelial cells (MCs) samples of the parietal layer (PL) of the tunica vaginalis testis were examined.

Methods: The PL of thirty-two patients, excised for different reasons, was examined by histology and immunohistochemistry using the D2-40 monoclonal antibody for identification of LECs and CK-7 antibody for recognition of mesothelial cells (MCs). Read More

Parasite Epidemiol Control 2018 Feb 28;3(1):21-35. Epub 2017 Dec 28.

Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.

Nigeria has the heaviest burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in sub-Saharan Africa, which is caused by the parasite and transmitted by mosquitoes. LF is targeted for elimination and the national programme is scaling up mass drug administration (MDA) across the country to interrupt transmission. However, in some regions the co-endemicity of the filarial parasite (loiasis) is an impediment due to the risk of severe adverse events (SAEs) associated with the drug ivermectin. Read More

Parasite Epidemiol Control 2017 Aug 7;2(3):71-84. Epub 2017 May 7.

Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.

The Republic of Angola is a priority country for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination, however, the co-distribution of the filarial parasite (loiasis) is a significant impediment, due to the risk of severe adverse events (SAEs) associated with ivermectin used in mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns. Angola has a high risk loiasis zone identified in Bengo Province where alternative interventions may need to be implemented; however, the presence and geographical overlap of the three filarial infections/diseases are not well defined. Therefore, this study conducted a rapid integrated filarial mapping survey based on readily identifiable clinical conditions of each disease in this risk zone to help determine prevalence and co-distribution patterns in a timely manner with limited resources. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2018 07 3;99(1):112-115. Epub 2018 May 3.

Centre for Research on Filariasis and other Tropical Diseases (CRFilMT), Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Loiasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by the filarial nematode and transmitted by the tabanid vectors from the genus . infection is associated with clinical manifestations such as pruritus, migratory transient edema, passage of adult worm in the bulbar conjunctiva, retinal damage, glomerular damage, albuminuria, pleural effusion, hydrocele, and endomyocardial fibrosis. Data reporting the occurrence of spontaneous encephalopathy associated with loiasis are very scanty. Read More

Trop Med Health 2018 16;46:14. Epub 2018 Apr 16.

Vector Borne Diseases Control Program, Ministry of Health and Sports, Naypyitaw, Myanmar.

Background: As Myanmar progresses towards lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination, it is important to know how well the anti-filarial activities have performed. The present study was conducted to study the implementation of the key anti-filarial activities and their impact on key indicators of LF transmission.

Methods: A secondary analysis of aggregate program data on the anti-filarial activities was conducted in four endemic state/regions of Myanmar receiving at least six mass drug administration (MDA) rounds during 2001-2016. Read More

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2018 Mar 26;113(5):e170435. Epub 2018 Mar 26.

Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, PE, Brasil.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a parasitic disease caused mainly by the Wuchereria bancrofti worm and that affects up to 120 million people worldwide. LF is the second cause of chronic global deformity, responsible for 15 million people with lymphedema (elephantiasis) and 25 million men with scrotal hydrocele. Its diagnosis is still associated with numerous difficulties, such as the sample collection periods (microfilaria nocturnal periodicity) and limited diagnostic kits. Read More

Infect Dis Poverty 2018 Feb 20;7(1):15. Epub 2018 Feb 20.

National Centre for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Ministry of Health, 477 Betong Street (Corner St.92), Village Trapangsvay, Sanakat Phnom Penh Thmey, Khan Sensok, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Background: Endemicity of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in Cambodia was proven in 1956 when microfilariae were detected in mosquitos in the Kratié province. In 2001, an extensive study confirmed the presence of both Brugia malayi and Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae. In 2003, the Ministry of Health established a national task force to develop policies and strategies for controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), with the goal of eliminating LF by 2015. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 01 30;18(1):201. Epub 2018 Jan 30.

American Leprosy Missions, Greenville, USA.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and leprosy are disabling infectious diseases endemic in Nepal. LF infection can lead to lymphoedema and hydrocoele, while secondary effects of leprosy infection include impairments to hands, eyes and feet. The disabling effects of both conditions can be managed through self-care and the supportive effects of self-help groups (SHGs). Read More

Intractable Rare Dis Res 2017 Aug;6(3):215-218

Department of Internal Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by nematodes and . Lymphatic filariasis is a spectrum of illness and can manifest as, asymptomatic microfilaraemia, acute lymphatic filariasis (lymphangitis and lymphoedema), chronic lymphoedema, elephantiasis, hydrocele, tropical pulmonary eosinophilia and some systemic manifestations which involves joint, heart, kidney, nerve, We here present a case of huge splenomegaly caused by lymphatic filariasis which is a rare presentation and only few cases had been reported in the world literature so far. After treatment of filariasis spleen size was reduced dramatically and patient is doing well even after 6 months of follow up after therapy. Read More

Ethiop Med J 2017 ;55(Suppl 1):45-54

Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the most debilitating and disfiguring diseases common in Ethiopia and is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. Mapping for LF has shown that 70 woredas (districts) are endemic and 5.9 million people are estimated to be at risk. Read More

Trends Parasitol 2017 10 27;33(10):788-798. Epub 2017 Jul 27.

Department of Biological Sciences, Smith College, Northampton, MA, USA; Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA. Electronic address:

The capacity of vector insect surveillance to provide estimates of pathogen prevalence and transmission potential has long been recognized within the global communities tasked with eliminating lymphatic filariasis (LF), the underlying cause of elephantiasis and hydrocele, and onchocerciasis (river blindness). Initially restricted to the practice of dissection, the potential of vector monitoring has grown due to the advent of molecular methods capable of increasing the sensitivity and throughput of testing. However, despite such advancement, operational research gaps remain. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Jul 14;11(7):e0005748. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases (CNTD), Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is best known for the disabling and disfiguring clinical conditions that infected patients can develop; providing care for these individuals is a major goal of the Global Programme to Eliminate LF. Methods of locating these patients, knowing their true number and thus providing care for them, remains a challenge for national medical systems, particularly when the endemic zone is a large urban area.

Methodology/principle Findings: A health community-led door-to-door survey approach using the SMS reporting tool MeasureSMS-Morbidity was used to rapidly collate and monitor data on LF patients in real-time (location, sex, age, clinical condition) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Jun 1;11(6):e0005567. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

CBM International and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Background: Lymphatic filariasis is a chronic, disabling and often disfiguring condition that principally impacts the world's poorest people. In addition to the well-recognised physical disability associated with lymphedema and hydrocele, affected people often experience rejection, stigma and discrimination. The resulting emotional consequences are known to impact on the quality of life and the functioning of the affected individuals. Read More

J Family Med Prim Care 2016 Jul-Sep;5(3):553-557

Department of Microbiology, Mayo Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Background: The knowledge of the current prevalence of lymphatic filariasis and its transmission will be helpful in its elimination. Thus, the present study is aimed to determine its prevalence among hydrocele patients which is a common presentation in chronically infected cases.

Materials And Methods: One hundred patients suffering from hydrocele admitted to the surgical ward were included in the study. Read More

J Trop Med 2016 6;2016:7408187. Epub 2016 Dec 6.

National Institute for Medical Research, Tanga Research Centre, P.O. Box 5004, Tanga, Tanzania.

. Tanzania started a countrywide lymphatic filariasis elimination programme in 2000 adopting the mass drug administration (MDA) strategy. The drug used for the programme was the combination of ivermectin and albendazole. Read More

Lymphology 2017 ;50(4):164-182

Department of Immunology, National Institute of Health, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, India.

Filariasis is caused by thread-like nematode worms and is classified according to their presence in the vertebrate host. The lymphatic group includes Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. Lymphatic filariasis, a mosquito-borne disease, has been one of the most prevalent diseases in tropical and subtropical countries and is accompanied by a number of pathological conditions. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2017 03;64(6):728-735

Global Health Programs, GlaxoSmithKline, London, UK.

Background: It has been estimated that $154 million per year will be required during 2015-2020 to continue the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF). In light of this, it is important to understand the program's current value. Here, we evaluate the cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit of the preventive chemotherapy that was provided under the GPELF between 2000 and 2014. Read More

Acta Med Indones 2016 Jul;48(3):239-241

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Pelita Harapan - Siloam Hospital Lippo Village, Banten, Indonesia.

A 51-year-old male came with the complaint of recurrent swelling in the scrotum and legs. Swelling of the scrotum first appeared 17 years ago in the left scrotum approximately the same size as an apple and underwent surgery. However, 2 years after surgery, the swelling reemerged and gradually increase in size in both scrotums. Read More

Acta Trop 2016 Nov 15;163:54-60. Epub 2016 Jul 15.

Lymphatic Filariasis National Center, Parasitology Department, Aggeu Magalhães Research Center, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, PE, Brazil; Pathology Department, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Pernambuco, PE, Brazil. Electronic address:

The Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis has two main components: interrupting transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) and managing morbidity and preventing disability. However, interventions to prevent and manage LF-related disabilities in endemic communities have been of limited extent. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of morbidity and its correlation with filarial infection, thereby filling a gap that existed regarding the data on morbidity in Brazil. Read More

J Vector Borne Dis 2015 Dec;52(4):314-20

Regional Medical Research Centre, Northeastern Region (ICMR), Dibrugarh, Assam, India.

Background & Objectives: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is endemic in the state of Assam and mass drug administration (MDA) programme for LF elimination is being implemented in the state since 2004. A study on prevalence of microfilaria (mf), disease endemicity and vector infection was carried out in a tea garden population of Dibrugarh, Assam (India) to assess the effect of ongoing MDA programme on elimination of LF.

Methods: Finger prick thick blood smears (20 mm3) were made from individuals aged ≥2 yr old during night blood survey in between 2000-0000 hrs during the period of November 2012 to February 2013. Read More

Trop Biomed 2015 Jun;32(2):365-75

Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) caused by the nematode Wuchereria bancrofti is a major public health concern in endemic communities worldwide. Among tropical diseases it is second to malaria in terms of disability adjusted life years. The Nigerian LF elimination programme has been slated for 2015. Read More

Trop Med Int Health 2016 Feb 18;21(2):236-44. Epub 2015 Dec 18.

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Objectives: Situational analysis of lymphatic filariasis (LF) morbidity and its management in Ahanta West, Ghana, to identify potential barrier to healthcare for LF patients.

Methods: Lymphoedema and hydrocoele patients were identified by community health workers from a subset of villages, and were interviewed and participated in focus group discussions to determine their attitudes and practices towards managing their morbidity, and their perceived barriers to accessing care. Local health professionals were also interviewed to obtain their views on the availability of morbidity management services in the district. Read More