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filariasis

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filariasis

Collective term for several diseases, prevalent in tropical areas, caused by certain roundworm (nematode) parasites. About 120 million people worldwide are infected with filarial worms, mostly in India and Africa.

Symptoms include damaged and swollen lymph vessels leading to grotesque swellings of the legs and genitals (Bancroftian filariasis, elephantiasis), blindness, and dry, scaly skin (onchocerciasis). The disease-causing worms are spread mainly by insects, notably mosquitoes and blackflies. Filariasis is treated by drugs to kill the worms, though this does not reverse any swelling. A World Health Organization (WHO) initiative to eliminate filariasis began in 2000.



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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis (HSD) is a zoonotic filariasis caused by infection with several species of worms belonging to the genus Dirofilaria; most documented cases are attributed to Dirofilaria repens (1).
Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis, Russia by Simon, Fernando / Emerging Infectious Diseases
Some oral drugs, such as ivermectin, can wipe out larvae and so stop the spread of elephantiasis, also called lymphatic filariasis.
Attack on elephantiasis. Antibiotic offers weapon against tropical ... by Seppa, N. / Science News
Recently the common antibiotic doxycycline was found to be a major advance for treating filariasis [elephantiasis], one of the most common causes of disability worldwide--by killing bacteria needed by the worms that cause the disease, leading to their eventual death.
Medical innovation and patent gridlock by James, John S. / AIDS Treatment News
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