RT Book, Section
A1 Dulek, Daniel E.
A2 Kline, Mark W.
SR Print(0)
ID 1182903974
T1 Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis
T2 Rudolph's Pediatrics, 23e
YR 2018
FD 2018
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781259588594
LK accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182903974
RD 2024/04/24
AB Filarial  worms  are  parasitic  nematodes  that  dwell  within  the  lymphatics  and  the  subcutaneous  tissues.  Eight  filarial  species  are  associated  with  human  disease,  though  only  4  cause  significant  morbidity  in  children  (Table  323-1).  These  species  include  the  causative  agents  of  lymphatic  filariasis—Wuchereria  bancrofti,  Brugia  malayi,  and  Brugia  timori—and  Onchocerca  volvulus,  the  causative  agent  of  onchocerciasis.  The  filarial  parasites  can  be  distinguished  by  their  geographic  distribution,  vector,  anatomic  location  of  adult  worms,  and  anatomic  location  and  periodicity  of  microfilaria  detection.  Of  the  human  filarial  parasites,  W  bancrofti  is,  by  far,  the  most  important  in  terms  of  both  morbidity  and  numbers  of  people  infected.  O  volvulus  remains  an  important  cause  of  worldwide  morbidity,  especially  in  Africa.  With  elimination  of  O  volvulus  from  selected  transmission  zones  in  the  Americas,  there  is  hope  of  eventual  elimination  from  Africa.