Abstract
Bancroftian filariasis (BF) is a debilitating disease that has plagued Egypt since the time of the pharaohs. Egypt is the first large endemic country in the world to reach the five-year mark in its national campaign. Now that the mass treatments are completed, a follow-up epidemiological assessment will reveal whether this large-scale, pioneering campaign has been successful in finally eliminating the disease. Hence the aim of the present work was to detect the prevalence of bancoftian filariasis in Tema, El-Maragha, Akhmeem and Girga districts in Sohag Governorate, Upper Egypt. Finger prick thick blood films were randomly collected from 500 clinically suspected individuals representing different sexes and ages suffering from lower limb non-pitting edema and/or inguinal lymphadenitis from May 2015 to February 2017. Three patients (0.6%) were infected with microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti while one chronic case was detected with severe chronic elephantiasis that was amicrofilaraemic but was confirmed serologically. Results were discussed in regards of age, gender, occupation, locality and residence. It was concluded that bancroftian filariasis is still endemic in three districts (Tema, El- maragha and Girga). Although in sporadic few cases, the problem should be taken seriously as one microfilaramic patient could be a patent reservoir for spreading of the disease through infecting the prevailing Culex pipiense mosquito intermediate host.
Highlights
Bancroftian filariasis (BF) is a debilitating disease that has plagued Egypt since the time of the pharaohs
That the mass treatments are completed, a follow-up epidemiological assessment will reveal whether this large-scale, pioneering campaign has been successful in eliminating lymphatic filariasis [1]
Sohag city has a desert-like climate with temperature day range 21-38 ̊C, average night degree 4-22 ̊C; very rare rain fall confined to winter season and relative humidity average annually 43.7% and monthly 30.5%. It was chosen as a study area because of two reasons: 1st: It was not surveyed for human bancroftian filariasis since 1987 [6]. 2nd: It contains suitable breeding places of Culex pipiens mosquitos, the intermediate host of bancroftian filariasis in Egypt [4].The study was done in Tema, El-Maragha, Akhmeem and Girga Districts; the culicine mosquitoes of first two districts were proved by thoracic muscle dissection and PCR test to be infested with microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti [4]
Summary
Bancroftian filariasis (BF) is a debilitating disease that has plagued Egypt since the time of the pharaohs. WHO’s strategy for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis comprises two main components – stopping transmission of the parasite via mass drug administration campaigns, and home-based care for those who already have the disease [1]. Different culicine (Culex, Aedes) and Anopheline mosquitoes are intermediate hosts In their stomach microfilariae lose their sheath, migrate through the gut wall to the thoracic muscles where they moult twice, first into rhabditiform larvae infective filariform larvae. The latter migrate across the head of mosquito to the labium which when bites man; the infective larvae are dropped on the skin; find their way into his body from the site of the bite or by active penetration. After about one year incubation period, the adults settle in the regional lymph nodes, the inguinal lymph nodes [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
