Dirofilariasis in humans

In the world there are incredibly many dangerous and unpleasant diseases. Especially it concerns our bodies of sight. Various parasites can penetrate the body imperceptibly and deliver a person a lot of problems and discomfort. Today we will understand what is Dirofilariasis, what is this disease and how to treat it.

Definition of disease

Dirofilariasis is of a natural nature, it is parasitic.Basically, it appears in animals, but more often they get sick people. It is caused by the filamentous filamentous nematode and affects the organs of vision, as well as other organs. The disease is chronic.

Although parasites are not able to grow to full individuals in the human body, nevertheless, they develop up to five months, and they can live in the body for several years. Whereinon the skin there are certain nodules in the eye area, and sometimes other places too.

Parasites are the cause of this disease, most often the visual organs are affected.

Types and Classifications

The type of disease depends on the location of the nematode in the patient's body. There are the following types:

1. Pulmonary.Worms are located in the heart area.
2. Extrapulmonary.This form includes subcutaneous, ophthalmic, cardiovascular, visceral inhabitants.

When the heart is affected, the larvae get from the left ventricle into the artery leading to the lungs.Parasites move together with blood and in the place where they stop - form a fibrous capsule.The doctor accidentally discovers the disease with procedures such as chest X-ray, lung surgery.

When the parasite has settled in the eyes, then the person experiences severe discomfort.Typically, the habitat in this case are the eyelids, sclera, eye socket, conjunctiva, anterior chamber of the eye. After the worms have got to these places, they form a protective shell, causing the patient to have a diplopia, an exophthalmia.

The disease is divided into pulmonary and extrapulmonary species, each of them carries a number of health hazards.

Causes

More often than not, people are exposed to this disease if they have pets at home, such as dogs. Also, the dirofilariasis is transmitted from mosquitoes belonging to the genus Culex, Aedes, Anopheles. Most rarely, the source of infection is other insects: fleas, lice, mites, flies. It is worth noting that people are less likely to this disease and this is considered a great rarity.

Most often, you can get infected from a mosquito bite or from pets that have also been bitten by insects.

Symptoms

Subcutaneous nodules and parenchymal lung diseases - in such ways parasites assert themselves.Very often the patient does not even know about his problem, however, the following symptoms may appear:

• Painful sensations in the chest.
• Frequent cough.
• Saliva contains blood.
• Visual impairment.
• Chrypses on breathing.
• A slight increase in temperature for a long period of time.
• General malaise.
• Chills.

If the worms settle in the eye, then this is manifested by the abundant release of tear fluid, conjunctivitis.Vision does not fall, but people note the presence of interference, discomfort, increased intraocular pressure.

The symptomatology of Dirofilariasis is extremely extensive. If you have at least one symptom, you need to visit a doctor.

Possible complications

The danger of these parasites is as follows:

• They are able to migrate with blood, thereby damaging organs, their structure.
• Formation of thrombi, blockage of arteries.
• The appearance of such health problems as endocarditis, abnormal cardiac valve function, the atrium may increase in width.
• Disturbance of oxygen in the blood.
• During the stay in the body of the host, nematodes throw into the body a lot of toxins that provoke allergic reactions.
• Problems and disorders in the lungs.
• Deterioration of general well-being, because worms use food substances useful to humans in the blood as food products.

Complications are very dangerous and can significantly reduce the quality of life.

Diagnostics

To verify the presence of Dirofilariasis, the specialist appoints the following series of procedures:

• A blood test, with its help, you can detect such a problem in 20% of cases.
• Complete examination of the sputum liquid.
• With the help of ELISA, the probability of this way to know about the presence of the disease is 75%.
• Chest X-ray.
• By means of a biopsy.
• MRI.

  MRI

If there is a suspicion of the presence of worms in the eye, then an ultrasound of the eyeball, computer keratotopography, examination of the fundus is performed.

Only after a fully confirmed diagnosis can a course of treatment be prescribed. Otherwise, you can only aggravate your situation.

Treatment

The type of treatment for dirofilariasis depends on the location in which the nematodes were found. Basically, surgical intervention is used, but often for the most effective doctor appoint a number of medicines.

Surgically

This is the most basic way to save a person from a disease.First, you need to immobilize worms so that they do not move around the body, and they were easier to remove. To do this, the specialist prescribes the drug Ditrazin.The surgeon removes nodules and accumulations of harmful nematodes.

Carrying out the operation to remove nodules

Medically

Basically, this method as an additional treatment and is used in the postoperative period. Appointed drugs such as Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine. A new and innovative way is the use of tetracycline, which refers to antibiotics, it is able to rid the body of bacteria released by parasites.

Also, as local therapy, eye drops with antibiotics may be prescribed(Levomycetin, Albucid), vitamins, but only after surgery to prevent infectious diseases. Also can be appointed narrowly directed drugs that are antiparasitic in nature. To such drops carry Kolbiotsin on the basis of tetracycline.

Albucid is used for dirofilariasis

Only the doctor can prescribe the necessary drugs after the operation, in no case can you choose medications yourself.

Prevention

The basis of preventive measures is based on the minimum human contact with mosquitoes and other insects that can act as carriers of contagion. In addition, it is more often to conduct an inspection of pets, because in this way you can not only save your pet from trouble, but also reduce the risks of infection for yourself.

More often, parasite carriers live on water bodies. It is highly discouraged to spend time where sanitary authorities say there are dangerous insects like ticks. Your body should always be protected with clothing with long sleeves and completely covering the legs. The use of various means of insects, too, will not be superfluous.

It is strongly recommended that all contacts with wild and stray animals be excluded, because the percentage of their infection can reach one-third of all inhabitants.

Especially careful should be in the period of flowering and intense heat, when the number of insects in such periods reaches its peak.

In no case do not neglect the measures of prophylaxis and keep track of the condition, both your health and your pet.

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conclusions

Dirofilariasis is a very dangerous disease caused by parasites. You can get infected, as well as from a mosquito bite, and from contact with an animal. It is quite difficult to detect a disease and often the patient for months does not suspect about his health problems. It is necessary to know all the symptoms of penetration into the body of nematodes and at the first opportunity to visit a doctor. Treatment is performed with the help of surgery, and as an additional therapy, medications are prescribed. It is important to comply with all preventive measures and monitor your pets to reduce the risk of dirofilariasis.