Filarioidea: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:31, 30 December 2024

Filarioidea is a superfamily of parasitic roundworms belonging to the order Spirurida. These worms are known for causing a group of diseases called filariasis in humans and other animals. The adult worms reside in the tissues of the host, where they produce larvae known as microfilariae.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Filarioidea involves two hosts: a vertebrate host and an arthropod vector. The adult worms live in the vertebrate host, where they produce microfilariae that circulate in the bloodstream or skin. These microfilariae are ingested by a blood-feeding arthropod, such as a mosquito or blackfly, during a blood meal. Inside the vector, the microfilariae develop into infective larvae, which are then transmitted to a new vertebrate host when the vector feeds again.

Diseases Caused

Filarioidea are responsible for several significant diseases in humans, including:

Lymphatic filariasis, caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori.
Onchocerciasis (river blindness), caused by Onchocerca volvulus.
Loiasis, caused by Loa loa.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of filarial infections typically involves the detection of microfilariae in blood samples or skin snips. Serological tests and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) can also be used to detect filarial DNA. Treatment often includes the use of anthelmintic drugs such as ivermectin, albendazole, and diethylcarbamazine.

Prevention

Preventive measures include vector control strategies, such as the use of insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying. Mass drug administration (MDA) programs aim to reduce the prevalence of filarial infections in endemic areas.

References

External Links

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-[[File:Microfilaria of Dirofilaria immitis (Heartworms) Surrounded by Neoplastic Lymphocytes 1.jpg|thumb]] [[File:Microfilaria of Dirofilaria immitis (Heartworms) Surrounded by Neoplastic Lymphocytes|thumb]] [[File:Loa Loa.jpg|thumb]] {{Taxobox
+{{Taxobox
 | name = Filarioidea
+| image =
+| image_caption =
 | regnum = [[Animalia]]
 | phylum = [[Nematoda]]
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 }}
-'''Filarioidea''' is a superfamily of parasitic [[nematodes]] (roundworms) that are known to cause a group of diseases called [[filariasis]] in humans and other animals. These nematodes are transmitted to their hosts through the bites of [[arthropod]] vectors, primarily [[mosquitoes]] and [[black flies]].
+'''Filarioidea''' is a superfamily of [[parasitic]] [[roundworms]] belonging to the order [[Spirurida]]. These worms are known for causing a group of diseases called [[filariasis]] in humans and other animals. The adult worms reside in the tissues of the host, where they produce larvae known as [[microfilariae]].
-==Morphology==
-Members of the Filarioidea superfamily are characterized by their elongated, thread-like bodies. Adult worms typically reside in the tissues or body cavities of their hosts. The morphology of these nematodes is adapted to their parasitic lifestyle, with features such as a cuticle that protects them from the host's immune system.
-==Life Cycle==
-The life cycle of filarial worms involves both a definitive host, where the adult worms reside, and an intermediate host, which is usually an arthropod vector. The cycle begins when a vector bites an infected host, ingesting microfilariae, which are the larval stage of the worm. Inside the vector, the microfilariae develop into infective larvae. When the vector bites another host, the larvae are transmitted and migrate to specific tissues, where they mature into adult worms.
-==Pathogenesis==
+== Life Cycle ==
-Filarial infections can lead to a variety of clinical manifestations, depending on the species involved and the tissues affected. Common diseases caused by filarial worms include:
+The life cycle of Filarioidea involves two hosts: a [[vertebrate]] host and an [[arthropod]] vector. The adult worms live in the vertebrate host, where they produce microfilariae that circulate in the bloodstream or skin. These microfilariae are ingested by a blood-feeding arthropod, such as a [[mosquito]] or [[blackfly]], during a blood meal. Inside the vector, the microfilariae develop into infective larvae, which are then transmitted to a new vertebrate host when the vector feeds again.
-* [[Lymphatic filariasis]], caused by ''[[Wuchereria bancrofti]]'', ''[[Brugia malayi]]'', and ''[[Brugia timori]]'', which can lead to [[elephantiasis]].
+== Diseases Caused ==
+Filarioidea are responsible for several significant diseases in humans, including:
+* [[Lymphatic filariasis]], caused by ''[[Wuchereria bancrofti]]'', ''[[Brugia malayi]]'', and ''[[Brugia timori]]''.
 * [[Onchocerciasis]] (river blindness), caused by ''[[Onchocerca volvulus]]''.
 * [[Loiasis]], caused by ''[[Loa loa]]''.
-==Diagnosis==
+== Diagnosis and Treatment ==
-Diagnosis of filarial infections typically involves the detection of microfilariae in blood samples, which may require specific timing due to the nocturnal periodicity of some species. Serological tests and molecular techniques such as [[PCR]] are also used to identify infections.
+Diagnosis of filarial infections typically involves the detection of microfilariae in blood samples or skin snips. Serological tests and [[PCR]] (polymerase chain reaction) can also be used to detect filarial DNA. Treatment often includes the use of [[anthelmintic]] drugs such as [[ivermectin]], [[albendazole]], and [[diethylcarbamazine]].
-==Treatment==
-Treatment of filarial infections often involves the use of antiparasitic medications such as [[ivermectin]], [[albendazole]], and [[diethylcarbamazine]]. These drugs target the microfilariae and, in some cases, the adult worms. Control measures also include vector management and mass drug administration programs.
-==Epidemiology==
+== Prevention ==
-Filarial infections are endemic in tropical and subtropical regions, affecting millions of people worldwide. The distribution of these diseases is closely linked to the presence of the vector species and environmental conditions that support their life cycles.
+Preventive measures include vector control strategies, such as the use of [[insecticide-treated nets]] and [[indoor residual spraying]]. Mass drug administration (MDA) programs aim to reduce the prevalence of filarial infections in endemic areas.
-==Prevention==
+== See Also ==
-Preventive strategies focus on reducing exposure to vectors through the use of insect repellents, bed nets, and vector control programs. Public health initiatives aim to reduce the burden of disease through education and mass drug administration.
+* [[Nematode]]
+* [[Parasitology]]
+* [[Vector-borne disease]]
-==Also see==
+== References ==
-* [[Nematoda]]
+{{Reflist}}
-* [[Parasitic diseases]]
-* [[Vector-borne diseases]]
-* [[Lymphatic system]]
-{{Nematoda}}
+== External Links ==
-{{Parasitic diseases}}
+* [https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/filariasis/index.html CDC - Filariasis]
+* [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lymphatic-filariasis WHO - Lymphatic Filariasis]
-[[Category:Nematodes]]
 [[Category:Parasitic nematodes]]
 [[Category:Vector-borne diseases]]
+[[Category:Filarioidea]]