2. • Brugia timori is a filarial (anthropod-borne) nematode (roundworm)
which causes the disease" Timor filariasis", or "Timorian filariasis ".
• Although Brugia timori was identified as the disease's causal agent
in 1977, the sickness was first described in 1965.Anopheles
barbirostris was identified as the disease's main vector in that same
year. There is no known host animal for the reservoir.
History and Distribution
3. • Brugia timori microfilariae have nuclei that extend to
the tip of the tail, which is also characteristic of Brugia
malayi but not W. bancrofti.
• Brugia timori microfilariae are slightly larger than B.
malayi microfilariae
Morphology
4. • Only the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia had Brugia
timori been discovered thus far. It only exists in the
locations where its mosquito vector, which nests in rice
fields, resides.
Hapitat
5. • 1. During feeding, mosquitoes consume an infected host's infectious filariform.
• 2- The microfilariae inside the mosquito enter the midgut and move to the muscle
tissue where they mature and go through two moults to become infectious filariform
larvae (no sexual reproduction occurs within the mosquito).
• 3 - The filariform larvae will go to the mosquito's mouthparts.
• 4- Larvae move to lymphatic veins after entering the host's bloodstream, where they
mature into microfilariae-producing adults. Adults can stay here for a number of
years.
• 5- The infectious filariform enters the host's circulation to repeat the life cycle.
Life Cycle
7. • Acute fever and persistent lymphedema are symptoms of Brugia timori filariasis,
just as those of other human filariasis infections. Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia
malayi, and Brugia timori all have very similar life cycles, which causes the
disease symptoms to recur at irregular times during the night. Acute phases of
infection frequently involve eosinophilia.
• Only the Indonesian Lesser Sunda Islands had Brugia timori been discovered thus
far. It only lives where its mosquito vector, which lays its eggs in rice fields, is
present. In a study of the infection rate in Mainang village, Alor Island,
microfilariae were discovered in the blood of 157 of 586 people (27%), with 77 of
them (13%), having leg lymphedema.
Pathogenicity and Clinical features
9. • Microscopy
Microfilaria in peripheral blood smears (thick or thin) stained with Giemsa or
hematoxylin-and-eosin, along with morphological species identification, are
typically used to diagnose lymphatic filariasis. Techniques for focus can be used to
increase sensitivity. Options include filtration via a polycarbonate membrane or
centrifuging blood samples that have been lysed in 2% formalin (Knott's procedure).
Blood obtained at night is the ideal time to make an accurate diagnosis of
microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia spp. Sub-periodic W. bancrofti
can be found in a few Pacific Island areas, eastern Malaysia, and Vietnam. Parts of
Malaysia also have sub-periodic B. malayi. Lymphatic tissue biopsy samples can be
used to identify adults of both species.
Laboratory Diagnosis
10. • Antigen Detection
While the sensitivity for detecting microfilariae can be limited and inconsistent,
antigen detection employing an immunoassay for circulating filarial antigens
represents a viable diagnostic method. Filarial antigens, as opposed to microfilariae
with nocturnal periodicity, can be found in blood samples taken at any time of day.
Programs to eradicate lymphatic filariasis frequently use a quick format
immunochromatographic test that has been proven to be an effective and sensitive
method for detecting Wuchereria bancrofti antigen. As of right now, this test cannot
be utilised to diagnose patients in the United States due to a lack of licencing.
Laboratory Diagnosis
11. • Antibody Detection
For the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis, serologic enzyme immunoassay assays,
such as antifilarial IgG1 and IgG4 tests, offer an alternative to microscopic
detection of microfilariae. Antifilarial IgG4 levels in the blood are frequently high
in patients with active filarial infection, and these levels can be found using
standard assays.
Laboratory Diagnosis
12. • Albendazole and diethylcarbamazine(DEC), two anthelmintics, have
demonstrated potential in the management of Brugia timori filariasis.
According to some experts, Brugia timori filariasis might be curable.
According to research on related filarial nematodes, removing their
endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria may be a potent strategy for
attacking Brugia timori.
Treatment
13. • The most effective method to avoid lymphatic filariasis isSleep in an air-
conditioned room at night or Sleep with a mosquito net overheadfrom twilight until
sunrise Put on long sleeves, a pair of trousers and On exposed skin, apply insect
repellent.Giving entire populations medicine that eliminates the microscopic worms
and controls mosquitoes are two further preventative strategies. Yearly mass
therapy lowers the number of microfilariae in the blood, which lessens infection
transmission. The Global Programme to Eradicate Lymphatic Filariasis is based on
this.
Prophylaxis
14. • A global campaign to eradicate lymphatic filariasis as a public health issue is
currently underway. Scientists believe that lymphatic filariasis, an NTD, can be
eradicated globally. The plan for elimination is focused on treating entire
communities annually with mixtures of medications that destroy the microfilariae.
Each year, hundreds of millions of people are treated thanks to the kind donations
of these pharmaceuticals by their manufacturers. Benefits of treatment go beyond
lymphatic filariasis because these medications also lower levels of intestinal worm
infection. In China and other nations, lymphatic filariasis elimination initiatives
have been successful.
Prophylaxis
