Symptoms and Treatment of Elephantitis

Elephantitis is a lymphatic system disease and is also known as elephantiasis. Its most common form is lymphatic filariasis, and it is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. This parasitic disease affects almost 120 million people worldwide and is prevalent in the tropic and the sub-tropic regions.

Due to the obstruction of the lymphatic vessels, visible enlargement of the skin and tissues takes place. The arms, legs, and the groin area are mainly affected by this condition, but it can also be seen in the trunk, head, breast, and a few other body parts. It results in the thickening of these parts almost to triple the original diameter.

The deformity of body parts due to swelling causes difficulty in leading a normal life. This story highlights the symptoms and treatment of elephantitis.

It is extremely important to know the types of elephantiasis. The two main types are:

• Lymphatic Filariasis: This is a common form found mainly in Africa. It is parasitic in nature and transmitted through infected female mosquitoes.

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by roundwormsWuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori, which use the lymphatic system as a host. The bacterial infection from worms obstruct the lymphatic vessels, which results in massive swelling of the infected body part. The skin becomes thick, hard, and wrinkled, resembling that of an elephant.

• Non-Filarial Elephantitis: This type is non-parasitic in nature, and is mainly found in the tropics and Africa. This too, results due to the blockage of lymphatic vessels and infection in the lymphatic system.

When the bare feet come in frequent contact with irritant soil containing sodium and potassium in volcanic areas, these chemicals enter the body. It then moves towards the lymphatic vessels and causes lymph block and infection.

It is often misdiagnosed due to the similarity of its indications with few other diseases in early stages. Sometimes, it takes years for the symptoms to be visible even after infection.

However, some commonly-observed ones are prominent in advanced stages:

• Pain
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Severe swelling
• Fever with chills
• Thickened skin
• Hardened and baggy skin
• Ulcers on the skin

• Skin hyper-pigmentation
• Malaise or feeling of constant discomfort
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• White urinary discharge in severe cases
• Swollen spleen and liver in severe cases

It can be diagnosed by the following two methods:

• Microscopic Examination: Blood sample of the suspected patient is observed under a microscope. The blood sample should be collected during the night to allow microfilariae to be present in the blood stream.

• Lymph Node Biopsy: Lymph node biopsy is done to find the infection, but is not a very successful method of diagnosis.

There is no vaccine or effective treatment for elephantiasis, due to the difficulty in early diagnosis, making it one of the most dreaded diseases.

These are the popular elephantiasis treatment options followed worldwide:

• Antibiotics: A single course of antibiotic is said to be effective. An 8 weeks course of antibiotic doxycycline is used for reduction of larvae and adult worms. This is not widely followed due to the need for long term treatment, as the worms activity is restrained only for 8-14 months.

Long term use of this antibiotic is restricted for pregnant women and children below 8 yrs.

• Medication against Parasites: Antifilarial drug treatment is given as per the geographic location, in an aim to eliminate the disease by 2020. In African region, albendazole is used with ivermectin, but albendazole is used in all other parts of the world. These drugs are mainly active against worm larvae, but have little effect on adult worms.

• Preventive Methods: Used mainly for the non-parasitic type, this is more of a prevention than a treatment. This method includes wearing shoes to contact with soil, washing feet and hands with antiseptic soap and water, wearing bandages, and application of ointment.

For lymphatic filariasis, frequent cleaning of affected areas is recommended, as it more due to skin infections.

• Surgery: Surgery is done in severe cases and is useful only for the limbs.

This dreaded disease is the cause of the highest disability worldwide, and its prevention of elephantitis is difficult, but not impossible. Avoiding mosquito bites using bed nets, repellents, and cleaning of stagnant water are useful preventive methods.

A proper diet is also extremely important, as a weak immune system due to improper diet makes the body prone to such infections.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.