Filariasis in the Serviceman: Retrospect and Prospect

Coggeshall, L. T.

doi:10.1001/jama.1946.02870180010003

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(3 reference statements)

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“…During WW2, LF was a major health issue for the US Armed Forces stationed in filarial-endemic areas of the South Pacific and this has been comprehensively reviewed by Coggeshall [6] and Wartman [7]. Although cases occurred throughout the area, the highest number of cases occurred in the central Pacific, especially in Samoa (then consisting of "Western Samoa" and "American Samoa") and Tonga.…”

Section: Lymphatic Filariasis In the Pacific Region During Ww2mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Surprisingly, fever was not commonly reported. Fever is commonly seen in acute LF, which is often called "filarial fever" [10], and the description of "Mumu", which is what acute LF is called in the Samoan language, stresses fever as an important symptom [6]. In 30% of all cases adult worms were removed by surgery or seen in histological sections [7] but only about 20 cases microfilaraemia were detected [7,9].…”

Section: The Clinical Features Of Lf In American Armed Forces Personnelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Acute Lymphatic Filariasis Infection in United States Armed Forces Personnel Deployed to the Pacific Area of Operations during World War II Provides Important Lessons for Today

Melrose

Leggat

2020

TropicalMed

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The deployment of United States (US) Armed Forces personnel into the central Pacific islands of Samoa and Tonga, which is highly-endemic for lymphatic filariasis (LF), resulted in thousands of cases of the acute form of this disease and greatly reduced their ability to carry out their mission. The major driving factor for the intensity of transmission was the aggressiveness and efficiency of the Aedes species mosquito vectors, especially the day-biting Ae. Polynesiensis. The paper reminds us of the danger that tropical diseases can pose for troops sent into endemic areas and constant and careful surveillance that is required to prevent rapid resurgence of Aedes-transmitted LF in populations, where the LF elimination program has been successful.

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Section: Lymphatic Filariasis In the Pacific Region During Ww2mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Clinical Features Of Lf In American Armed Forces Personnelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acute Lymphatic Filariasis Infection in United States Armed Forces Personnel Deployed to the Pacific Area of Operations during World War II Provides Important Lessons for Today

Melrose

Leggat

2020

TropicalMed

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“…During World War II, Australian and American military personnel serving in the South Pacific region were exposed to parasites causing LF, with an estimated 38,300 United States military personnel exposed, among whom 10,421 were diagnosed with active lymphatic filarial infections. 2 In a second study, a total of 2,124 US soldiers were reported to have developed symptomatic filarial infections; however, as is generally observed in individuals from non-endemic areas who contract filarial infection, only 16 had patent infections with microfilariae detected in their blood. 3 Only 24 cases of LF were recorded among Australian Defense personnel during World War II.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Seroconversion to Filarial Antigens in Australian Defence Force Personnel in Timor-Leste

Frances¹,

Baade²,

Kubofcik³

et al. 2008

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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To investigate whether Australian soldiers were exposed to filarial parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis during a 6-month deployment to Timor-Leste, antifilarial antibody levels were measured in 907 soldiers using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Initial testing using Dirofilaria immitis antigen demonstrated that 49 of 907 (5.4%) soldiers developed antifilarial antibodies of the IgG1 subclass after deployment, whereas 1 of 944 (0.1%) seroconverted to the IgG4 subclass. When a sub sample of 88 D. immitis-reactive sera was subject to testing with an antifilarial antibody test using Brugia malayi antigen, 46 had elevated IgG antibodies, whereas 5 had elevated antibodies of the IgG4 subclass. A total of 24 soldiers seroconverted to B. malayi, as measured by parasite-specific IgG, whereas 1 seroconverted to IgG4. The relatively low number of seroconversions indicates a low but measurable risk of exposure to human filarial parasites among Australian soldiers deployed to Timor-Leste. However, to reduce the risk of exposure to these parasites, soldiers deploying to endemic areas should practice strict adherence to personal protective measures against mosquito bites.

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“…The symptoms include fever, nausea and vomiting, headache, prostration, and, in the most severely affected individuals, asthmatic attacks. These may appear within 1 to 2 days of initiating therapy and occur concomitantly with an acute drop in microfilaremia (12,13). Their severity is minimized by initiating therapy with approximately one-quarter of the calculated dose and gradually reaching full doses after 3 to 4 days.…”

Section: Serologic Assaysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical and laboratory aspects of filariasis

Nanduri

Kazura

1989

Clin Microbiol Rev

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Human filarial infections afflict over 150 million persons worldwide and are major causes of morbidity in many developing countries. Onchocerca volvulus infection is a leading preventable cause of blindness, while bancroftian and brugian filariasis may produce lymphatic obstruction of the genitalia and extremities (elephantiasis). Definitive diagnosis of these helminthic infections currently depends on demonstration of microfilariae in host tissues, i.e., the skin in the case of O. volvulus and the bloodstream in the cases of Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. Many investigations are now directed at developing specific and sensitive serum antigen assays that will allow diagnosis of active infection (i.e., presence of adult-stage parasites) in the absence of detectable microfilariae. With respect to the immunology of these parasitic infections, efforts are being directed at elucidating the role of T- and B-cell responses in the development of pathologic lesions and resistance to reinfection. These data as well as molecular biologic approaches to identify and study filarial molecules which are immunogenic are discussed. Finally, since treatment of filariases at present depends on antiparasitic drugs, the clinical indications and dosages of diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin are summarized.

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Filariasis in the Serviceman: Retrospect and Prospect

Cited by 12 publications

References 6 publications

Acute Lymphatic Filariasis Infection in United States Armed Forces Personnel Deployed to the Pacific Area of Operations during World War II Provides Important Lessons for Today

Acute Lymphatic Filariasis Infection in United States Armed Forces Personnel Deployed to the Pacific Area of Operations during World War II Provides Important Lessons for Today

Seroconversion to Filarial Antigens in Australian Defence Force Personnel in Timor-Leste

Clinical and laboratory aspects of filariasis

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