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Lymphatic
filariasis (LF), more commonly known as elephantiasis, is caused by
thread-like parasitic worms (microfilaria) which live in the human
lymphatic system. According to the World
Health Organization LF is one of the world’s top five most
disfiguring and debilitating diseases. Present in over 80 endemic
countries, 20% of the world’s population is living at risk of
the disease. Over 1 billion are at risk with 120 million infected
and 40 million showing clinical symptoms.
Acquired early in life LF is a disease of the poor, it is socially
stigmatising and impairs economic productivity. LF is transmitted
between humans by the mosquito during biting. Millions of microscopic
microfilaria circulate in the blood and are produced by adult worms
which live for five/six years and can cause blockages in the lymphatic
system. The clinical symptoms in the leg, scrotum and less commonly
the arm and breast can then develop.
Can lymphatic
filariasis be cured?
No (except for hydrocele surgery). However, it can be prevented. The
Global Programme
to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) was launched in 2000
to eliminate lymphatic filariasis by a two drug regime. GlaxoSmithKline
has made a |
commitment
to donate the drug, albendazole, globally for as long as necessary.
In Africa, where onchocerciasis is present, Merck
& Co. Inc. via the Mecitizan®
Donation Program provides Mectizan® and in the remaining
countries diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is used with albendazole.
What
is the role of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine’s
Lymphatic Filariasis Support Centre?
As a key member
of the Global
Alliance to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GAELF) the Centre
(funded by the Department
for International Development, GlaxoSmithKline
and the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation) provides advice, funding, liaison,
training, facilitation and acts as Secretariat to the Global Alliance
to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis and the Executive Group of GAELF. |
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