Elephant Foot Disease (filariasis or elephantiasis) is a class of infectious disease caused by a filarial worm that is transmitted through different types of mosquitoes. After being bitten by mosquitoes, parasites (larvae) will spread and when it comes to network lympa system then develops into the disease.
This disease is chronic (chronic) and if not treated, can cause permanent disability in the form of an enlarged legs, arms and genitals, both women and men. Elephant Foot disease is not a deadly disease, however, for people may be something that feels shameful even can interfere with daily activities.
Elephant Foot disease commonly found in many tropical regions. According to information from the WHO, the order states that there are patients experiencing disease elephantiasis is South Asia (India and Bangladesh), Africa, the Pacific and the Americas. Later many states also occur in Thailand and Indonesia (Southeast Asia).
Transmission of the disease elephantiasis
This disease is transmitted by mosquitoes which suck the blood of someone who has been infected before. Infected blood and contain larvae and would be transmitted to other people when infected mosquitoes bite or suck the blood of the person. Unlike Malaria and Dengue Fever, filariasis can be transmitted by 23 species of mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles, Culex, Mansonia, Aedes and Armigeres. Because of this, filariasis can spread very quickly.
Signs and symptoms
A person infected with elephantiasis disease usually occurs in childhood, where in a long time (years) began to be felt development.
The acute symptoms that may occur include:
- Repeated fever for 3-5 days, the fever can be lost if a break and appeared again after working hard
- Swollen lymph nodes (with no injuries) in the groin, armpits (lymphadenitis) is visible redness, heat, and pain
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes that feels hot and pain that radiates from the base of the foot or the base of the arm toward the end (retrograde lymphangitis)
- Filarial abscess due to frequent suffering from swelling of the lymph nodes, it can rupture and ooze pus and blood
- Enlargement of the legs, arms, breasts, testicles that looks somewhat reddish and hot (early lymphodema)
- While the chronic symptoms of the disease elephantiasis in the form of persistent enlargement (elephantiasis) in the legs, arms, breasts, testicles (elephantiasis skroti).
Diagnostic tests
Elephantiasis disease is generally detected by microscopic examination of the blood. Until now it was difficult to do because of microfilaria just appear and present itself in the blood at night for a few hours (nocturnal periodicity).
In addition, various methods of inspection are also performed to diagnose the disease elephantiasis, such as the system known as membrane netting, Knott concentration methods, and deposition techniques.
Closer examination method toward the diagnosis and recognized by the WHO is the examination of the card test system, It is very simple and sensitive to detect the spread of parasites (larvae). Namely by taking a finger prick blood sample droplets in the system any time, not necessarily at night.
Handling and treatment
The main goal in the early treatment of patients with elephantiasis disease is to eradicate parasites or larvae that develop in the patient's body, so that the rate of transmission can be reduced and reduced.
Dietilkarbamasin, Diethylcarbamazine (DEC), is the only drug that is effective both for filariasis bancrofti or malayi filariasis, is makrofilarisidal and mikrofilarisidal. This drug is cheap, safe, and no drug resistance. Patients who received drug therapy is likely to provide local and systemic adverse reactions are temporary and easily treated with symptomatic medication.
Dietilkarbamasin can not be used for khemoprofilaksis. Treatment is given orally after dinner, quickly absorbed, reaching peak concentration in the blood within 3 hours, and excreted through the urine. Dietilkarbamasin not be given to children younger than 2 years old, pregnant or nursing mothers, and people with severe pain or in a weakened state.
However, in the case of elephantiasis disease severe enough (already enlarged) because it is not detected early, in addition to the provision of drugs would require further measures such as surgery.
Prevention
For people with elephantiasis disease awareness is expected to consult a doctor and get treatment drugs that do not spread the infection to other people. For that there needs to be education and the introduction of disease to the patient and surrounding residents.
Eradication of mosquitoes in their respective areas is essential to break the chain of transmission of this disease. Keeping the environment clean is paramount to prevent the development of mosquitoes in the area.
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