What is Lymphatic filariasis (LF)?

Lymphatic filariasis, also referred to as LF, is a neglected tropical disease also commonly known as its advanced-stage symptom, elephantiasis.

Lymphatic filariasis, also referred to as LF, is a neglected tropical disease also commonly known as its advanced-stage symptom, elephantiasis. It is a mosquito-borne disease caused by roundworm parasites which impairs the lymphatic system and can lead to the abnormal enlargement of body parts, causing pain, severe disability and social stigma. The physical manifestations of lymphatic filariasis causes patients to experience negatively affected mental health, loss of income-earning opportunities and increased medical expenses. They suffer from social stigma and isolation, making lymphatic filariasis a heavy socioeconomic burden on countries which the disease is endemic.

According to the World Health Organization, over 893 million people need treatment for this disease, with more than 40% of them living in Africa.

Causes of Lymphatic filariasis (LF)

Lymphatic filariasis infection occurs when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans through mosquitos. When a mosquito carrying the parasite bites a person, the parasite microfilariae enter the body and migrate to the lymphatic vessels where they grow into adult worms. The adult worms continue to live in the lymphatic system, which oversees body fluid balance and fights infections. Infection usually happens in childhood, leading to undetected damage.

Symptoms of Lymphatic filariasis (LF)

The majority of lymphatic filariasis infections are asymptomatic, meaning that there are no external signs of infection while contributing to the parasite’s transmission and causing damage to the lymphatic and immune systems and the kidneys. Long-term, chronic infection leads to tissue swelling (lymphoedema) or elephantiasis (skin/tissue thickening) of the limbs, breasts and genital organs. These painful and visible body deformities occur in adulthood and can lead to permanent disability.

Diagnosis of Lymphatic filariasis (LF)

Lymphatic filariasis is diagnosed with a microscopic examination of a blood smear to identify microfilariae that signify the presence of infection.

Treatment of Lymphatic filariasis (LF)

The World Health Organization treatment strategy for lymphatic filariasis is drug therapy, such as Mectizan®, Diethylcarbamazine, and albendazole. This strategy is based on studies that show infection transmission (infected mosquito to person, infected person bitten by mosquito) can be broken if drug therapy is distributed annually in endemic areas for a few years.

Other eye Conditions

Trachoma

Cataract

Onchocerciasis (River blindness)

OPC fights Lymphatic filariasis (LF), blindness and prevents blindness by empowering francophone africans through sustainable access to sight.

Francophone Africa is frequently overlooked by international development stakeholders when it comes to restoring sight and providing quality eye care. The Organization for the Prevention of Blindness (OPC) works with local governments, civil society organizations and communities to fight blindness, restore vision, encourage local ownership of eye health care systems and ensure human right to sight.

Patient Stories

My name is Habibé. Before being operated, I was suffering from tearing every day and all day long. My eyes were tickling and, because of this disease, I was ashamed to stay with my friends. I did not understand what was happening. I tried a traditional treatment but in vain. Now I am happy as I feel cured. I thank the team that came to operate me in our village.

My name is Idriss Gebal Ali. I am from the Ouaddaï region, eastern Chad. I got the first symptoms of trachoma on my left eye, four years ago. More precisely, I had watery, itching eyes and kept rubbing them. I was informed at the local market by a community relay that an outreach of trichiasis surgery was being implemented. The relay brought me to the health center. Then, I was operated in April 2017. I did not suffer from any complication or recurrence after the operation. My brother was also operated on his right eye. He got good outcomes after the surgery as well. Nevertheless, my wife still suffers from an ocular problem : I will bring her to the health center in order to treat her.

My name is Abou K. I come from southern Chad, where I grow crops. It has been more than 5 years that both my eyes are painful, crying and reddish, and it’s worst for my right eye. In my family, nobody has that problem. This disease prevents me from working properly on the field. The health agents told me that I was suffering from trachomatous trichiasis, that’s why they offered to get both of my eyes operated. As they assured me that the pain would disappear, I accepted the surgery.

My name is Acil T. I had trachomafor years. At the beginning I was thinking of a family curse, as everybody had this disease and that we would all become blind. We couldn’t work as much as when we were not affected by the disease. As we live in a very remote village, far from any health center, a medical team came to operate us and we are very happy about that. Now, I know that trachoma is a curable disease and I want to thank the team that gave us a new chance in life by enabling our family to get back to the field and get our crops.

My name is Halimé B. The surgeons have operated my two eyes. Before that, I was thinking that there was no hope for me and that I would become blind. I was really hopeless. Since last week's operation, my whole family is smiling again. I thank everybody that took part in the process.

My name is Halimé A. and I am from southern Chad. I felt my eyes tickling 7 years ago. After the first symptoms, it was difficult for me to prepare the boule (millet-based paste) for my children and my husband. At the beginning, I was really afraid to get operated. But as my husband was planning to get operated too, he advised me to do it as well. Since last week, I can take care of the domestic duties, such as sorting millet or groundnuts . I am happy again!

My name is Haroun T. I have been operated from the right eye last week. I have been suffering for the past 10 years. I was feeling a constant tingling which was quite inconvenient. I didn’t know that a treatment existed to get rid of this disease. Until last year, I was hindered and annoyed to do my field activities. Since I have been operated, my sight is good and I feel a huge relief, like the rest of my family. Indeed, five of us had trachoma. The whole family was operated on the same day.

What is Lymphatic filariasis (LF)?

Table of contents

Causes of Lymphatic filariasis (LF)

Symptoms of Lymphatic filariasis (LF)

Diagnosis of Lymphatic filariasis (LF)

Treatment of Lymphatic filariasis (LF)