28.01.2025
Lymphatic filariasis: Simple Measures with a Big Impact
Lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis
Lymphatic filariasis is an infectious disease, transmitted by mosquitoes infected with the larvae of the nematode (filariae). The worms can grow up to eight centimetres long in the human body. They lodge in the lymph vessels, which become inflamed and scarred or enlarge as a result of the inflammation. This results in chronic inflammation, which disrupts the lymphatic drainage and causes swelling, lymphedema, particularly in the feet and legs. The disease is rarely fatal, but is associated with severe pain, great emotional suffering and stigmatization as well as social exclusion. Around 68 million people worldwide suffer from lymphatic filariasis, with around 40 million people suffering from the worst form of lymphoedema, “elephantiasis”.
Another form of lymphedema common in the tropical highlands of Central Africa is podoconiosis, which is a non-infectious form of elephantiasis. It is caused by microparticles that occur in soils of volcanic origin and penetrate the tissue through the skin when walking barefoot, causing inflammation.
Disease management and Disability Management
The investigated disease management is based particularly on hygiene measures. The swellings and wounds, which usually occur on the feet and legs of patients, must be carefully cleaned once or twice a day and treated with antiseptic ointments if necessary. Other measures such as light physical activity, elevation of the affected leg and simple massage techniques - as well as wearing appropriately adapted footwear - are also necessary. In addition to the hygiene measures, some patients also benefit from taking the antibiotic doxycycline.
“Conducting our studies was extremely challenging. Our study teams travelled long, and sometimes dangerous, distances to visit the affected population in the often difficult-to-reach villages and communities and trained them in disease management,” says Hörauf. “This was successful: in total, we were able to include around 1,400 patients suffering from advanced lymphatic filariasis in the studies - and comprehensively track their disease progression over two years. This is very important data, that is incorporated into the WHO's treatment recommendations, for example.”
Full article: https://www.gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de/de/lymphatische-filariose-einfache-massnahmen-mit-grosser-wirkung-18318.php
TAKeOFF website:https://www.takeoff-ntd.org/

A team member of the TAKeOFF research network demonstrates the correct procedure for daily foot hygiene to a patient. © TAKeOFF Team Ghana, KCCR