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What Type of Parasite Causes Lymphedema?

There are several types of lymphedema that are not caused by parasites, but Filariasis lymphedema (also called lymphatic filariasis and elephantiasis) is a parasitic disease that affects the human lymph system. This parasitic disease is not contagious, however, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) proclaims it is spread from one person to the next by mosquitoes.

  1. Cause

    • According to Lymphovenous Canada, Lymphedema filariasis is caused by three types of parasites, which are wuchereria bancrofti, brungia malayi, and brugia timori. These parasites are introduced into the human body by infected mosquitoes.

    The Transporters

    • Mosquitoes do not produce these parasites that cause lymphedema filariasis; instead, according to the CDC, they are carriers. When a mosquito bites a person infected with the parasitic disease, the mosquito becomes infected with the parasites allowing it to inject the parasites into another person.

    Effects

    • Once a person is infected, the CDC asserts, the parasites will enter the blood stream and grow into adult worms. The worms will live in the body from 4 to 7 years. During that time, the adult worms will make millions of eggs (larvae) that will circulate in the blood stream and eventually attack the lymphatic system.

    Symptoms

    • Not everyone develops symptoms. For those who do, the CDC declares, the symptoms takes years to develop after the person has been infected. The parasitic disease prevents the lymphatic system from functioning causing fluid retention and swelling of an infected person's legs, arms, breasts, and genitalia.

    Tests and Treatments

    • Lymphovenous Canada proclaims these parasites (worms) are microscopic. Therefore, in order to test for lymphedema filariasis, doctors examine a sample of person's blood under a microscope to detect if any parasites are present. A person diagnosed with the parasites "can take a yearly dose of medicine called diethylcarbamazine (DEC). The medicine kills the microscopic worms from circulating in the blood," according to the CDC.

    Risks

    • According to the CDC, people at risk for contracting lymphedema filariasis are those who live in tropical and sub-tropical regions. It "affects over 120 million people in 80 countries in parts of Asia, Africa, the Western Pacific, and parts of the Caribbean and South America". The CDC also stresses people who live in the United States cannot get infected with these parasites (worms).

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