Acanthocheilonemiasis
Synonyms
4
Overview
Acanthocheilonemiasis is a rare tropical infectious disease caused by a parasite known as Acanthocheilonema perstans. It can cause skin rashes,abdominal and chest pains, muscle and joint pains, neurologic disorders and skin lumps. It is mainly found in Africa. The parasite is transmitted through the bite of small flies. Studies show that there are elevated levels of white blood cells.
Symptoms
- Headache
- Red itchy skin (pruritis)
- Abdominal and chest pain
- Muscular pain (myalgia)
- Localized swelling (edema)
- Liver and spleen may be enlarged (hepatosplenomegaly)
- Abnormally elevated levels of specialized white blood cells (eosinophilia)
- Swelling under the skin (subcutaneous)
- Inflammation of the lining of the lungs (pleuritis) and/or the membranes that surround the heart (pericarditis)
Causes
The only cause of Acanthocheilonemiasis is the bites of small flies seen in African areas. The disease is transmitted through the bites of small flies.
Prevention
Avoid the bite of the flies is the only preventive method. Destroying the flies through cleaning the living place and environment and using preventive step to avoid the flies.
Treatment
Treatment is made only for the symptoms. Pain medication is important to reduce headache and muscle pain. Control the white blood cells in the body is also important. Blood transformation is necessary to balance white blood cells in the body. Nutritional food will help to improve health condition. Bed rest along with plenty of fluids is important to control and avoid body pain.
Resources
- RDARM
- NIH