Filarial nemqtodes

• Filarial nematodes are long, slender, thread-like parasites that infect vertebrate hosts, including humans

  
• Transmission of filarial nematodes occurs through the bite of arthropods like mosquitoes, black flies, and midges, not through the feco-oral route
• Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi are two common mosquito-borne filarial worms causing Bancroftian and Malayan filariasis respectively
• Adult filarial worms cause inflammation in lymph nodes, leading to lymphedema and elephantiasis in chronic stages of lymphatic filariasis
• Diagnosis of filarial infections can be done through thick blood smears, DEC provocative tests, and detecting circulating filarial antigens
• Guinea worm is a parasite causing dracunculiasis, transmitted through contaminated water, living in subcutaneous tissue, growing up to 3 feet long, leading to painful ulcers and disability

  
• Dracunculiasis is a neglected tropical disease targeted for eradication by the World Health Organization

  
• Onchocerca volvulus, known as the Blinding Worm, is transmitted by female Simulium blackflies, infecting humans in Africa and Central and South America
• Onchocerca volvulus' infective stage is the Third Stage Larva (L3) and its diagnostic stage includes microfilaria in skin, lymphatics, blood, urine, sputum, and adults in lymph nodes
• Onchocerca volvulus is found in areas with fast-flowing rivers, causing River Blindness
• Onchocerca volvulus adults live in subcutaneous tissues and lymphatics, with males measuring 19-42mm by 130-210um and females 33-50cm by 270-400um
• Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae are found under the skin, occasionally in blood, urine, sputum, measuring 220-360um by 5-9um, with a lifespan of 2 years
• Wolbachia causes symptoms of Onchocerciasis
• Onchocerciasis manifestations include River Blindness, Onchocercoma (subcutaneous nodule), Lizard Skin, Hanging Groin, and generalized pruritus
• Onchocerciasis diagnosis involves skin snips for microfilaria and biopsy of skin nodules for adult worms with Wolbachia and microfilariae
• Onchocerciasis treatment includes Ivermectin plus Doxycycline, with old drugs like Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and Suramin no longer recommended
• Loa loa, the African Eye worm, is transmitted by Chrysops flies, causing Calabar Swelling, Eye worm, Generalized Pruritus, and lung symptoms
• Loa loa diagnosis involves identifying microfilaria in blood during the day and in spinal fluids, urine, sputum at night, and adult worms in the subconjunctivae or under the skin
• Loa loa treatment includes Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) as the drug of choice, effective against microfilariae and adult worms
• Mansonella streptocerca is transmitted by Culicoides midges, causing pruritus, dermatitis, hyperpigmented lesions, and eosinophilia
• Mansonella streptocerca diagnosis includes finding microfilaria in the bloodstream and adult worms in their habitat
• Mansonella streptocerca treatment has no optimal option, with Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine plus mebendazole used