Consider the following statements regarding Lymphatic Filariasis: It i...
Union Health & Family Welfare Minister recently said India is committed to eradicating Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, surpassing the global target by three years.
About Lymphatic Filariasis:
- Lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease.
- Infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. This impairs the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing pain, severe disability and social stigma.
- Cause: It s caused by infection with parasites classified as nematodes (roundworms) of the family Filariodidea. There are 3 types of these thread-like filarial worms:
- Wuchereria bancrofti, which is responsible for 90% of the cases.
- Brugia malayi, which causes most of the remainder of the cases.
- Brugia timori, which also causes the disease.
- Adult worms nest in the lymphatic vessels and disrupt the normal function of the lymphatic system. The worms can live for approximately 6–8 years and, during their lifetime, produce millions of microfilariae (immature larvae) that circulate in the blood.
- Transmission: Mosquitoes are infected with microfilariae by ingesting blood when biting an infected host. Microfilariae mature into infective larvae within the mosquito. When infected mosquitoes bite people, mature parasite larvae are deposited on the skin, from where they can enter the body.
- Symptoms: About two in every three people who have lymphatic filariasis don’t have severe symptoms. But filariasis usually leads to a weakened immune system. Some people may experience:
- Inflammation: An overactivated immune system.
- Lymphedema: Fluid buildup in your lymphatic system.
- Hydrocele: Swelling and fluid buildup in the scrotum.
- Edema: Swelling and fluid buildup in your arms, legs, breasts and female genitals (vulva).
- Treatment:
- Elimination of lymphatic filariasis is possible by stopping the spread of the infection through preventive chemotherapy.
- The WHO-recommended preventive chemotherapy strategy for lymphatic filariasis elimination is mass drug administration (MDA).
- MDA involves administering an annual dose of medicines to the entire at-risk population.
- The medicines used have a limited effect on adult parasites but effectively reduce the density of microfilariae in the bloodstream and prevent the spread of parasites to mosquitoes.
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
Consider the following statements regarding Lymphatic Filariasis: It i...
Lymphatic Filariasis is a neglected tropical disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Let us analyze the given statements to determine their correctness:
Statement 1: Lymphatic Filariasis is caused by a virus.
Statement 2: Lymphatic Filariasis impairs the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts.
Statement 1: Lymphatic Filariasis is caused by a virus.
This statement is incorrect. Lymphatic Filariasis is not caused by a virus, but by parasitic worms. The disease is primarily caused by three species of filarial worms - Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. These worms are transmitted to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
Statement 2: Lymphatic Filariasis impairs the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts.
This statement is correct. Lymphatic Filariasis indeed impairs the lymphatic system, which is responsible for maintaining the body's fluid balance and fighting infections. The filarial worms infect the lymphatic vessels, causing inflammation and obstruction. Over time, this leads to the accumulation of fluid in the affected areas, most commonly the limbs and genitals. This results in the abnormal enlargement of body parts, a condition known as lymphedema.
In addition to lymphedema, Lymphatic Filariasis can also cause another condition called elephantiasis. Elephantiasis is characterized by severe swelling and thickening of the skin, particularly in the lower extremities. It can cause significant disability and disfigurement, leading to social and economic burdens for those affected.
Lymphatic Filariasis is a significant public health problem in many countries, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. It affects over 120 million people globally, with about 40 million of them experiencing chronic symptoms. The disease can be diagnosed through clinical examination, blood tests, and microscopic examination of blood samples for the presence of microfilariae, which are the immature forms of the filarial worms.
Prevention and control of Lymphatic Filariasis primarily involve two approaches: mass drug administration and mosquito control. Mass drug administration involves the periodic distribution of antifilarial medications to entire at-risk populations, even if individuals are not showing symptoms. This helps in reducing the parasite load and preventing the transmission of the disease. Mosquito control measures, such as the use of insecticide-treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying, are also essential to prevent the spread of the infection.
In conclusion, the correct statement regarding Lymphatic Filariasis is statement 2: It impairs the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts.
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