Lymphatic FilariasisBy: Katie Lutz

The 2nd leading cause of permanent disfigurement after Leprosy

"It's tied in with grinding poverty — where you find it maps almost perfectly with the poorest of the poor.“ -

Reverend Thomas G. Streit

Causative Agents Parasitic filarial roundworms W.

bancrofti and B. malayi

W. bancrofti B. malayi

The Lymphatic System

The Lymphatic SystemHome sweet

home…

Transmitted by a blood sucker

No, not by a vampire!!!

Transmitted by a blood sucker

Infected human (definitive host) mosquito (intermediate host) human

*Takes multiple mosquito bites to contract the disease

Effects are irreversible 70% of infected people are

asymptomatic A small percentage develop:

› Lymphedema› Elephantiasis› Hydrocele

in men only

Only do blood smear between 10pm-2am!

Blood smear X rays to detect dead worms Ultrasonography PCR

Take care of the worms, not the symptoms

Combination therapy› Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)› Albendazole› Ivermectin

DEC

Ivermectin

Lather, rinse, & repeat

Thorough hygiene Compression

clothing, exercises, and elevation

LF is the disease at the end of the road

Substantial loss of income Social stigmas Increase in mosquitoes

"Lymphatic Filariasis is a forgotten disease of forgotten people.

- Dr. Frank O. Richards Jr.,Director, Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Program

Stop the transmission Mass treatment programs Mosquito nets Community education

Who’s helping prevent LF? The Carter Center Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Haiti and Dominican Republic