Study finds doxycycline effective against filariasis in Southeast Asia Apr 10, 2008
This tropical disease, found in regions of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America, is spread by mosquitoes and causes episodes of acute and chronic inflammation, including elephantiasis. The standard treatment has been a combination of diethylcarbamazine and albendazole, which are accompanied by significant side effects in about half of the patients, including fever, headache, dizziness, and enlarged lymph nodes. (EurekAlert!)
Elephantiasis widespread in Tangerang: Health Agency Apr 8, 2008
Elephantiasis is widespread in 14 districts in Tangerang, the Tangerang regency health agency has said ... "We declare a district (prone) to elephantiasis when a survey finds more than five residents who suffer from it," Yuliah Iskandar, head of communicable disease prevention at the agency, told The Jakarta Post on Monday ... Elephantiasis is caused by parasitic worms carried by mosquitoes. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Akufo-Addo NPP Lies Mar 31, 2008
AKUFO ADDOS NPP LIES ARE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE ELEPHANTIASIS--NO WONDER THEY ARE ELEPHANTS ECONOMIC ICAL FOCUS ... When I think about how much the NPP is shamelessly prepared to deceive the hardworking people of Ghana and the form such lies take, Im reminded of the disease Elephantiasis which causes gross enlargement of the limb ... You know elephantiasis actually swells the skin--causing it to embarrassingly overgrow quite abnormally. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Tropical Disease Experts Call For A 'Global Fund To Fight Neglected Tropical Diseases' Mar 27, 2008
The NTDs, such as intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, elephantiasis, and river blindness, represent the most common infections of the world's poorest--the bottom billion ... 26, 2007) The neglected tropical diseases are a group of 13 infectious diseases, including elephantiasis, hookworm, African sleeping sickness and trachoma, which affect more than one billion people worldwide. (Science Daily)
'Elephant Man' Transformed by Full-Face Transplant Mar 25, 2008
Although British anthropologist Ashley Montagu said Merrick suffered from Von Recklinghausen's disease in his 1971 book, "The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity," others have speculated that Merrick may have suffered from elephantiasis or Proteus syndrome. Coler was left unrecognizable as a toddler when bulbous tumors began engulfing his eyes, nose, and mouth with boil-encrusted, ulcerated skin. (Fox News)
Sanitation Investment In Poor Countries Would Yield $9-to-1 Benefits In Productivity, Health Mar 21, 2008
26, 2007) The neglected tropical diseases are a group of 13 infectious diseases, including elephantiasis, hookworm, African sleeping sickness and trachoma, which affect more than one billion people worldwide. (Jun. (Science Daily)
Schistosomiasis More Debilitating Than Previously Estimated, Study Shows Mar 7, 2008
5, 2007) Once-yearly administration of two antiparasitic drugs to control lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) costs just 0. 06 to 2. (Science Daily)
USAID Fights Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 23, 2008
The initiative will build on U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) investments in NTDs control and will target seven major diseases: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm). Approximately one billion people, mostly in the developing world, suffer from one or more NTDs. (PR Newswire)
Fact Sheet: Fighting Neglected Tropical Diseases Around The World Feb 20, 2008
This Initiative will make a total of $350 million available over five years to provide integrated treatment of more than 300 million people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and target seven major NTDs: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs hookworm, roundworm, whipworm). This investment increases the United States' commitment to NTDs from $15 million in 2008 to... (White House News Releases)
Bush: U.S. Not Adding Bases In Africa Feb 20, 2008
Mr. Bush also announced an effort to combat neglected tropical diseases, with $350 million to be made available over five years to target seven major diseases: elephantiasis, snail fever, eye infections, river blindness, hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm. The initiative aims to help more than 300 million people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. (CBS News -- World)
A cure for elephantiasis Feb 9, 2008
Elephantiasis or Lymphatic Filariasis affects 25 million people across 15 states in the country, and this new method has helped to treat over 500 patients. Chief Dermatologist and one of the founders of this Institute, Dr S R Narahari, described it as a pioneering effort, given the gravity of the disease which is affecting the whole social fabric of the patients who are suffering from elephantiasis". "Ayurveda and Yoga is a self care for the management of lymphoedema. (India Times, India)
Zanzibar Study Paves Way For Mass Co-delivery Of Three Antiparasitic Drugs Jan 24, 2008
The study shows the safety of delivering three drugs simultaneously -- ivermectin, albendazole and praziquantel -- in order to tackle three diseases, elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), soil-transmitted worms (helminths), and schistosomiasis ... 5, 2007) Once-yearly administration of two antiparasitic drugs to control lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) costs just 0. (Science Daily)
Drug cocktail could help parasite victims: study Jan 23, 2008
The drugs treat elephantiasis -- also known as lymphatic filariasis -- soil-transmitted worms and schistosomiasis ... GlaxoSmithKline Plc makes albendazole, used to treat elephantiasis. (Scientific American)
Poor Americans in the United States suffer hidden burden of parasitic and other neglected diseases Dec 26, 2007
Filarial infections, such as river blindness, elephantiasis, and African eyeworm comprised 0. 62% (271) of the 43,722 medical conditions reported to the GeoSentinel Network between 1995 and 2004. (EurekAlert!)
Neglected tropical diseases burden those overseas, but travelers also at risk Dec 26, 2007
The researchers found that filarial infections responsible for such diseases as onchocerciasis (river blindness), lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and loiasis (African eyeworm illness) made up 271 (0. 62 percent) of the 43,722 medical conditions reported to the network during that time period. (EurekAlert!)
Elephantiasis hits Depok district Dec 1, 2007
DEPOK: A district in Depok municipality was declared an endemic area for elephantiasis, officials confirmed Friday. "We've tested 500 residents in Limo district. The results revealed there are 12 people who suffer from elephantiasis," head of Grogol subdistrict community health center, Rani Astirah, said ... Elephantiasis is a symptom of lymphatic filariasis -- a parasitic and infectious tropical disease caused by thread-like parasitic filarial worms which are transmitted by mosquitoes. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Parasitic Tropical Diseases In The Americas -- A Legacy Of Slavery -- Can Be Eliminated Nov 27, 2007
26, 2007) Although it has been speculated for more than a century that the slave trade was responsible for bringing many tropical diseases to the Americas, only recently has convincing evidence shown that lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) originated in this way. See also. (Science Daily)
* Taiwan News Quick Take Nov 26, 2007
Kaohsiung County Commissioner Yang Chiu-hsing () promised to help a Peruvian woman suffering from elephantiasis receive free dentures. The woman recently underwent surgery at Eda Hospital in Kaohsiung County to remove 47kg of swollen tissue from her leg. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Millions endure elephantiasis needlessly: study Nov 21, 2007
LONDON (Reuters) - Millions of people in the developing world suffer needlessly from the disfiguring disease elephantiasis because they cannot afford treatment or are too embarrassed to seek it, researchers said on Wednesday. Elephantiasis, marked by hideous swelling of the arms, legs, head, genitals or breasts, affects 40 million people, according to the World Health Organization, even though treatment in the early stages is relatively straightforward. (Scientific American)
* Woman with elephantiasis set to go under the scalpel Nov 16, 2007
Woman with elephantiasis set to go under the scalpel ... A 45-year-old Peruvian woman suffering from elephantiasis will undergo an eight-hour operation today at Kaohsiung's E-da Hospital ... In addition to his administrative duties at the hospital, Chen is a plastic surgeon who specializes in elephantiasis. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
State to combat filaria with central aid Nov 6, 2007
The state government has decided a two-phase campaign to combat elephantiasis (filariasis) commonly identified as massive limb swelling across 17 sensitive districts of Maharashtra from November 15-19. The campaign is part of the national drive to make country elephantiasis-free by 2015 ... The government worry is that people not suffering from elephantiasis in sensitive districts may resist to dose. (Daily News & Analysis)
Mass Drug Treatment For Elephantiasis Is Affordable Compared With Other Public Health Programs Nov 5, 2007
5, 2007) Once-yearly administration of two anti-parasitic drugs to control lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) costs just 0 ... 26, 2007) The neglected tropical diseases are a group of 13 infectious diseases, including elephantiasis, hookworm, African sleeping sickness and trachoma, which affect more than one billion people worldwide. (Science Daily)
Man seeks divine help for identity card Oct 20, 2007
Besides this, Leng also walked on the hot coals for other reasons - to cure his left foot of elephantiasis and to pray his wife would one day regain her sight. I got my foot condition two years ago. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Medical researchers urged not to compromise quality Oct 13, 2007
He commended the KCCR for its tremendous research achievements in its ten years of existence, especially in the areas of severe malaria, tuberculosis, onchocercaisis, anaemia, deafness, elephantiasis, buruli ulcer and other filarial diseases ... Dr Thomas Kruppa, Director of KCCR, said the Centre was at the forefront of filariasis research revolutionizing the treatment of onchocerciasis and elephantiasis, adding that, the Centre had been selected as one of the 8 centres in Africa to participate... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Divergence receives $734,000 NIH grant Sep 25, 2007
One disease caused by filarial parasites, called lymphatic filariasis or elephantiasis, causes massive swelling of the limbs and is the second leading cause of long-term disability, with 140 million cases. Another filarial parasite-caused disease, onchocerciasis or river blindness, is a major cause of infectious blindness. (St. Louis Business Journal, MO)
Skeletons help fill missing link Sep 24, 2007
In the Sept. 21 issue of Science, biologists write that they have produced the draft genome of the first roundworm parasite, Brugia malayi, which threatens millions of people in tropical nations with elephantiasis, a disease that results in tissue swelling and skin thickening. (Science). (Boston Globe)
Deadline looms in GM union talks Sep 24, 2007
Elephantiasis gene secrets mapped. MOST READ. (BBC News)
Genome mapped for elephantiasis parasite Sep 22, 2007
WASHINGTON - Scientists have mapped the genome of a worm that causes elephantiasis in what they called on Thursday an important step toward developing new drugs or vaccines to fight the mosquito-borne disfiguring disease. Elephantiasis is marked by hideous swelling of the arms, legs, head, genitals or breasts ... Writing in the journal Science, the researchers said they figured out the genetic content of Brugia malayi (pronounced BROO-gee-ah ma-LAY-eye), one of the worms most responsible for... (MSNBC -- Health)
Elephantiasis gene secrets mapped Sep 22, 2007
Elephantiasis can be hugely disfiguring. The genetic blueprint of a parasite that causes the painful disfiguring disease elephantiasis has been unravelled by scientists ... Elephantiasis is a sign of an advanced and long-standing infection with these parasites, and can cause massive swelling of the legs and genitals. (BBC News -- Health)
Genetic Code Of Parasitic Worm That Causes Elephantiasis Revealed Sep 22, 2007
More than 150 million people worldwide are infected with filarial parasites -- long, thread-like worms that can live for years inside the human body and cause severe, debilitating diseases such as elephantiasis. The life cycle of Brugia malayi, the causal agent of Filariasis (Elephantiasis) ... In the September 21, 2007 issue of Science, the researchers report solving the complete genome of Brugia malayi, one of the worms that causes the often debilitating disease elephantiasis. (Science Daily)
Scientists Map Elephantiasis Parasite's Genome Sep 22, 2007
Infection with B. malayi can lead to a disfiguring disease called elephantiasis, which features an excessive buildup of lymphatic fluid in the body and extreme swelling in the limbs, trunk or head ... The researchers said the genetic sequence of B. malayi reveals dozens of potential new targets for drugs or vaccines to understand, treat and prevent elephantiasis. (MEDLINEplus)
Nigeria to Hamilton and back / Fighting for home Sep 7, 2007
Disease wracks the peasantry malaria, HIV, snail fever, elephantiasis and immunizations are nearly impossible to come by. ne of the things I hope to do is instill scientific ideology in people, Onwubiko said. (Missoulian, MT)
Cocoa farmers pledge to stop smuggling Aug 16, 2007
Mr Boateng who likened the viral disease to that of HIV/AIDS said it was highly infectious with long gestation period and in some cases leading to "stem elephantiasis" which affects the roots. He said by government policy, a hectare or 2. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
500 Nepalis sick after taking anti-elephantiasis pills Jun 28, 2007
KATHMANDU, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Over 500 Nepalis have fallen sick after taking anti-elephantiasis medicine distributed by a team of paramedics in Palpa district, local newspaper The Kathmandu Post reported on Thursday ... With a view to eradicating the disease, Nepali government had organized a campaign to distribute the anti-elephantiasis medicine to residents of 21 districts among the total 75 districts of the country last week ... Former report on Monday said 65 persons in Dhading district,... (Xinhuanet, China)
Over 60 Nepali fall sick after consuming anti-elephantiasis pills Jun 27, 2007
More than 60 persons have fallen ill after they consumed the anti-elephantiasis medicines distributed by the Dhading District Health Office (DHO) in central , local leading media group's website eKantipur reported Monday ... Medical personnel informed that the common symptoms seen among individuals after consuming anti-elephantiasis pills are nausea, headache, and vomiting and unconsciousness ... According to World Health Organization website, Elephantiasis is also called Lymphatic Filariasis,... (People's Daily Online, China)
Surgery to remove 15kg tumour Jun 21, 2007
The extreme case of elephantiasis has reportedly stunted the growth of Huang Chuncai, 31, and left him in severe pain. Reuters reported Mr Huang's doctor as saying the operation would be extremely delicate. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Drug-resistant river blindness spreading Jun 16, 2007
The worms can cause 00004000 intense itching, elephantiasis of the genitals and blindness if they reach the eyes. Officials said there were currently there are 18 million cases in 36 countries worldwide, including in tropical regions of the Americas. (MSNBC -- Health)
Bogor residents line up for free medicine to fight elephantiasis Jun 9, 2007
Hundreds of Bogor residents aged between two to 65 years old received free medicines Friday as part of efforts to stamp out mosquito-borne elephantiasis, known by doctors as lymphatic filariasis ... Roro said she never saw any people with elephantiasis in her village but she knew of one or two living in nearby villages. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
Old, new ailments trouble Micronesia May 20, 2007
The introduction of a Western diet has begun to erode the health of Micronesians, many of whom also suffer from such exotic tropical diseases as elephantiasis, a swelling of the arms and legs, visiting Hawaii physicians report ... They treated all 200 people on one island for filariasis, an infection known as elephantiasis, caused by a small parasitic worm spread by mosquitoes. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Mosquito genome leaves researchers itching for more May 18, 2007
Early drafts of a genome sequence from Culex pipiens, the mosquito that carries elephantiasis and West Nile disease, are available. And are there more to sequence. (Nature News Service)
Elephantiasis vaccine for Bogor citizens May 9, 2007
BOGOR: More than four million people have been tested for elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis) in greater-Bogor after 20 people were found with the leprosy-like disease, officials said Tuesday. Approximately one per cent of the tested population are suspected to be carrying the disease, leading the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare Bogor as endemic to the lymphatic disease. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- City)
W/R GHS to undertake mass drug administration Apr 26, 2007
Sekondi, April 25, GNA- The Western Regional branch of the Ghana Health Service is to undertake a mass drug administration for Onchocereciasis (River Blindness) and Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) in districts endemic to the diseases in the region ... Dr. Vanotoo said Mectizan and Albendazole drugs would be administered in communities in the Aowin-Suaman, Jomoro, Nzema East, Ahanta West and the Mpohor Wassa East Districts as well as the Shama-Ahanta East Metropolis where elephantiasis and... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Burkina Faso: Eliminating the 'Disease of the Poorest of the Poor' Apr 11, 2007
Zoundi suffers from lymphatic filariasis, a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that in one form is known as elephantiasis ... Those infected can also become disfigured with swelling of the limbs and breasts (lymphoedema) and genitals (hydrocele) or swollen limbs with dramatically thickened, hard, rough and fissured skin (elephantiasis). (allAfrica.com)
Drug-Enriched Salt Could Prevent Devastating Tropical Disease Mar 21, 2007
Though little known outside the developing world, the disease called lymphatic filariasis wreaks havoc on millions of people by causing their limbs and genitals to fill with fluid and swell monstrously the symptom commonly known as elephantiasis. Now, a new review of existing research suggests that enriching a community s salt with a drug could treat and prevent the condition without any adverse effects. (Science Daily)
Develop aquaculture to meet protein needs - Director WRI Mar 9, 2007
Because water reservoirs in the north had been under utilised, there were no fish in many of them and instead had become the breeding ground for water-borne diseases such as guinea worm, malaria, elephantiasis and bilharzias, he stated. He said the time had come for the Region to adopt appropriate technologies to increase the productivity of existing water resources to improve the standard of living of the people. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Hokule'a also bringing gift of medical teams Feb 19, 2007
Also known as elephantiasis, filariasis is caused by a small parasitic worm spread by mosquitoes that blocks lymphatic channels, causing swollen arms and legs, he said. The doctors also will be looking into a mysterious skin disease that has been recognized on one of Chuuk's remote islands for about 20 years, Ansdell said. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
1b suffer from neglected diseases Feb 15, 2007
Despite the existence of inexpensive and safe treatment, those who suffer from diseases such as leprosy, elephantiasis and yaws remain untreated due to a lack of resources and political will, said Jai Narain, Southeast Asia director of communicable diseases at the World Health Organization (WHO). "These tropical diseases have been neglected by policy makers, by the research community and also by the international community," Nairan told a news conference at the start of an international meeting... (People's Daily Online, China)
One billion poor suffer from neglected diseases -WHO Feb 14, 2007
Despite the existence of inexpensive and safe treatment, those who suffer from diseases such as leprosy, elephantiasis and yaws remain untreated due to a lack of resources and political will, said Jai Narain, South East Asia director of communicable diseases at the World Health Organisation (WHO). "These tropical diseases have been neglected by policy makers, by the research community and also by the international community," Nairan told a news conference at the start of an international meeting... (AlertNet)
Stakeholders meet on neglected tropical diseases Feb 7, 2007
The programme would cover all the 26 endemic districts in the Northern and Upper West Regions where pockets of trachoma could be identified, as well as 61 districts in eight regions where Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) could be found, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) said on Tuesday. Five of the ancient neglected tropical diseases 96 Trachoma; Lymphatic Filariasisl; Onchocerciasis; Schistosomiasis and intestinal worms - are associated with... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Malaria Strategic Document to be revised - Official Feb 3, 2007
Professor John Gyarpong, Head of the Health Research Unit of GHS, spoke on the neglected diseases like onchocerciasis, popularly known as river blindness, and Lymphatic Filariasis, which is Elephantiasis, were some of the diseases which attacked people but were not talked about. He said strategies had been put in place to scale up interventions and called for more human resource, infrastructure and logistics as well as funding from the Government to run programmes. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Chronic condition'I developed elephantiasis after an accident in the UK' Jan 21, 2007
I got elephantiasis in the UK ... Elephantiasis is an ugly condition, which disfigures and disables about a 120 million people globally ... Overwhelmingly, elephantiasis affects people in tropical countries, but Trudy Lapinskis is a rare example of somebody who has never been to a tropical clime, and yet is afflicted by the condition. (BBC News -- UK)
