THE ESSENTIAL
- According to the WHO, 863 million people in 47 countries are at risk of lymphatic filariasis worldwide.
- Lymphatic filariasis can be caused by 3 types of worms: Wuchereria bancrofti (90% of cases), Brugia malayi and Brugia timori.
- These parasites have a life expectancy of 6 to 8 years and can produce millions of microfilariae (immature larvae).
After feeling pain in the testicle for a month, a young man went to the hospital in India. Supported by doctors, he also had a swollen scrotum and a slight fever. Suspecting the presence of parasites, the team performed an ultrasound of the painful area. She then discovered “moving structures”.
Live worms “dancing” in his scrotum
To refine their diagnosis, the doctors punctured the liquid accumulated in the scrotum in order to have it analyzed. They also took blood samples for the same purpose. The results confirmed the presence of parasites in the body.
In their paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine on December 8, 2022, the scientists specify that they have also observed “echoic linear structures” can “be seen moving inside one of the channels”movements that doctors have described as a “danse”.
These elements confirmed that the patient suffered from an infection called lymphatic filariasis. An anti-parasitic treatment allowed the recovery of the patient in a few weeks.
Filarial dance on video
When the worms move through the infected part, their movements are reminiscent of a choreography. This is why health professionals call this phenomenon “filarial dance”. Indian doctors have released a short video to find out.
Lymphatic filariasis: what is it?
Lymphatic filariasis is a tropical disease, more commonly known as elephantiasis. “The infection occurs when the filarial parasites responsible for the disease are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Generally contracted in childhood, this infection causes an unapparent alteration of the lymphatic system”Explain WHO on its website.
Filarial worms lodge in the lymphatic vessels and disrupt the functioning of the lymphatic system. This can lead to an abnormal increase in the volume of certain parts of the body. It causes pain and severe disability.
The disease can remain asymptomatic for several years. When it becomes chronic, it is likely to cause:
- lymphoedema: tissue swelling;
- elephantiasis of the limbs: thickening of the skin and tissues;
- hydrocele: swelling of the scrotum.
“The breasts and genitals are frequently affected. Often these physical deformities give rise to social stigma and have negative repercussions on the mental health of patients”says the WHO.