Prevalence of elephantiasis, an overlooked disease in Southern Africa: a comprehensive review

Abstract

Elephantiasis, also known as lymphatic filariasis (LF), is a debilitating condition characterized by the thickening of the skin and muscles, primarily affecting the limbs, genitalia, and female breasts. Lymphatic filariasis is a major global health concern, affecting approximately 120 million people worldwide and having a significant impact on people's quality of life, mobility, and socio-economic status. Although LF is endemic in many parts of the world, including Africa, it is a neglected issue in Southern Africa, with little information available. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 882.5 million people in 44 countries worldwide are at risk of contracting LF, making it the second most common vector-borne disease after malaria. The primary goal of this review was to assess the prevalence of elephantiasis in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Lymphatic filariasis is endemic in four of the sixteen SADC countries, three countries have administered MDA to the population that required it and they are now under post-intervention surveillance, while LF is no longer a public health problem in Malawi. Global efforts to eliminate LF have been hampered by the non-availability of MDA in some SADC countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Despite the implementation of mass drug administration programs, a review of the literature reveals gaps in knowledge about LF prevalence cases in SADC countries. Each country faces unique challenges and successes in combating LF due to varying levels of available data and healthcare infrastructure. Some SADC countries continue to bear the burden of LF-related diseases, necessitating ongoing disease prevention and elimination efforts. This review emphasizes the importance of ongoing research, data collection, and novel policies to combat the spread of elephantiasis disease in the SADC region and beyond.

Molecular characterization of filarial infections and their associated risk factors in rural community of Southeastern Gabon

“…), and horseflies ( Chrysops spp) ( Akue et al, 2011 ; Chunda et al, 2024 ; Ta-Tang et al, 2018 ). Filarial infections represent a significant public health challenge, widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with a particular focus in Central and West Africa ( Akue et al, 2011 ; Kelly-Hope et al, 2018 ; Lamula et al, 2024 ).…”

Molecular characterization of filarial infections and their associated risk factors in rural community of Southeastern Gabon

“…), and horseflies ( Chrysops spp) ( Akue et al, 2011 ; Chunda et al, 2024 ; Ta-Tang et al, 2018 ). Filarial infections represent a significant public health challenge, widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with a particular focus in Central and West Africa ( Akue et al, 2011 ; Kelly-Hope et al, 2018 ; Lamula et al, 2024 ).…”

Global Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Parasitic Diseases: Burden, Trends, Disparities, and Forecasts (1990–2036)

“…Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) is etiologically linked to filarial nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti , Brugia malayi , and Brugia timori , with mosquitoes serving as the principal vector. Although the disease is typically not fatal, it damages the lymphatic system and leads to abnormal enlargement of body parts, which results in its status as the second major contributor to global disability [ 6 , 7 ]. According to the WHO, over 657 million people in 39 countries or regions around the world remain at risk of the disease [ 8 ].…”

Pharmacological Properties of Platycarpha glomerata Extracts—A Plant Used to Treat and Manage Elephantiasis

“…Elephantiasis, commonly known as lymphatic filariasis (LF), is defined as a set of symptoms characterised by thickening of the skin and underlying tissues [ 1 , 2 ]. It is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease that commonly affects the limbs, male genitalia, and female breasts.…”

Molecular characterization of filarial infections and their associated risk factors in rural community of Southeastern Gabon

“…), and horseflies ( Chrysops spp) ( Akue et al, 2011 ; Chunda et al, 2024 ; Ta-Tang et al, 2018 ). Filarial infections represent a significant public health challenge, widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with a particular focus in Central and West Africa ( Akue et al, 2011 ; Kelly-Hope et al, 2018 ; Lamula et al, 2024 ).…”

Global Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Parasitic Diseases: Burden, Trends, Disparities, and Forecasts (1990–2036)

“…Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) is etiologically linked to filarial nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti , Brugia malayi , and Brugia timori , with mosquitoes serving as the principal vector. Although the disease is typically not fatal, it damages the lymphatic system and leads to abnormal enlargement of body parts, which results in its status as the second major contributor to global disability [ 6 , 7 ]. According to the WHO, over 657 million people in 39 countries or regions around the world remain at risk of the disease [ 8 ].…”

Pharmacological Properties of Platycarpha glomerata Extracts—A Plant Used to Treat and Manage Elephantiasis

“…Elephantiasis, commonly known as lymphatic filariasis (LF), is defined as a set of symptoms characterised by thickening of the skin and underlying tissues [ 1 , 2 ]. It is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease that commonly affects the limbs, male genitalia, and female breasts.…”

Molecular characterization of filarial infections and their associated risk factors in rural community of Southeastern Gabon

“…), and horseflies ( Chrysops spp) ( Akue et al, 2011 ; Chunda et al, 2024 ; Ta-Tang et al, 2018 ). Filarial infections represent a significant public health challenge, widely distributed across tropical and subtropical regions, with a particular focus in Central and West Africa ( Akue et al, 2011 ; Kelly-Hope et al, 2018 ; Lamula et al, 2024 ).…”

Global Epidemiology of Vector-Borne Parasitic Diseases: Burden, Trends, Disparities, and Forecasts (1990–2036)

“…Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) is etiologically linked to filarial nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti , Brugia malayi , and Brugia timori , with mosquitoes serving as the principal vector. Although the disease is typically not fatal, it damages the lymphatic system and leads to abnormal enlargement of body parts, which results in its status as the second major contributor to global disability [ 6 , 7 ]. According to the WHO, over 657 million people in 39 countries or regions around the world remain at risk of the disease [ 8 ].…”

Pharmacological Properties of Platycarpha glomerata Extracts—A Plant Used to Treat and Manage Elephantiasis

“…Elephantiasis, commonly known as lymphatic filariasis (LF), is defined as a set of symptoms characterised by thickening of the skin and underlying tissues [ 1 , 2 ]. It is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease that commonly affects the limbs, male genitalia, and female breasts.…”