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Lymphatic Filariasis
- Wuchereria bancrofti + Brugia (mosquito); Africa, Asia, Pacific
- Lymphedema + elephantiasis + hydrocele
- TPE (hyperreactive form, S Asia)
- Nocturnal blood microfilariae + CFA ICT
- MDA: albendazole + ivermectin (Africa); albendazole + DEC (Asia); triple IDA
- Doxycycline targets Wolbachia â kills adult worms
Onchocerciasis (âRiver Blindnessâ)
- Onchocerca volvulus (Simulium black fly); sub-Saharan Africa
- Skin disease + nodules + eye disease (visual loss)
- Skin snip + slit-lamp diagnostic
- Ivermectin annual (kills MF, not adults; Mectizan Donation Program free)
- Doxycycline à 6 wk kills Wolbachia â adult worms die
- Combination for individual treatment
- Loa loa pre-screening before MDA in Central Africa
Loiasis
- Loa loa (Chrysops deer fly); W + C African rainforest
- Visible eye worm + Calabar swellings + daytime microfilaremia
- Daytime periodicity (Chrysops daytime biter)
- DEC treatment with CAUTION for high MF load (> 8000 MF/mL = Mazzotti encephalopathy)
- Pre-treatment albendazole + apheresis for high MF load
- No routine MDA (encephalopathy risk)
Wolbachia Endosymbiont
- Bacterial endosymbiont of most filariae
- Doxycycline targets â kills adult worms over months
- Major treatment target
MDA Elimination
- WHO + Mectizan Donation Program + Carter Center
- LF + onchocerciasis 2030 elimination goals
- Major public health success
- Implementation challenges in Loa loa coendemic areas
ç§é«åž« hint
- Tropical Africa returnee + eye worm / Calabar swellings â Loiasis (pre-treatment MF count critical)
- Visual loss in patient from sub-Saharan Africa â onchocerciasis workup
- Lymphedema in tropical region resident â filariasis workup
- Eosinophilia + nocturnal asthma + S Asian origin â TPE â respond to DEC