DOCSLIB.ORG

The Impact of Podoconiosis, Lymphatic Filariasis, and Leprosy on Disability and Mental Well­Being: a Systematic Review

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Impact of Podoconiosis, Lymphatic Filariasis, and Leprosy on Disability and Mental Well­Being: a Systematic Review The impact of podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis, and leprosy on disability and mental well-being: a systematic review Article (Published Version) Ali, Oumer, Mengiste, Asrat, Semrau, Maya, Tesfaye, Abraham, Fekadu, Abebaw and Davey, Gail (2021) The impact of podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis, and leprosy on disability and mental well-being: a systematic review. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 15 (7). a0009492 1-17. ISSN 1935-2727 This version is available from Sussex Research Online: http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/99427/ This document is made available in accordance with publisher policies and may differ from the published version or from the version of record. If you wish to cite this item you are advised to consult the publisher’s version. Please see the URL above for details on accessing the published version. Copyright and reuse: Sussex Research Online is a digital repository of the research output of the University. Copyright and all moral rights to the version of the paper presented here belong to the individual author(s) and/or other copyright owners. To the extent reasonable and practicable, the material made available in SRO has been checked for eligibility before being made available. Copies of full text items generally can be reproduced, displayed or performed and given to third parties in any format or medium for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge, provided that the authors, title and full bibliographic details are credited, a hyperlink and/or URL is given for the original metadata page and the content is not changed in any way. http://sro.sussex.ac.uk REVIEW The impact of podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis, and leprosy on disability and mental well-being: A systematic review 1,2 1 2 1,2 Oumer AliID *, Asrat Mengiste , Maya SemrauID , Abraham Tesfaye , 1,2 2,3 Abebaw FekaduID , Gail DaveyID 1 CDT-Africa, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2 Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, United a1111111111 Kingdom, 3 School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, a1111111111 Ethiopia a1111111111 * [email protected] a1111111111 a1111111111 Abstract Leprosy, podoconiosis, and lymphatic filariasis (LF) are among the priority neglected tropi- OPEN ACCESS cal diseases (NTDs) in Ethiopia. The disability, psychosocial, and mental health status of Citation: Ali O, Mengiste A, Semrau M, Tesfaye A, people affected by these NTDs are still overlooked in global NTD discourse. The objective Fekadu A, Davey G (2021) The impact of of this systematic review was to synthesize the existing evidence describing the disability, podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis, and leprosy on psychosocial, and mental health status of people affected by leprosy, podoconiosis, and disability and mental well-being: A systematic LF prior to developing a holistic physical and psychosocial care package for these individu- review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 15(7): e0009492. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009492 als. We searched papers reporting on disability, psychosocial, and mental health status linked to these 3 NTDs. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with registration num- Editor: Richard Reithinger, RTI International, UNITED STATES ber CRD42019128400. Peer-reviewed articles were searched and extracted from Med- line, PsycINFO, Global Health, and Embase. Articles published in English, irrespective of Published: July 8, 2021 the year of publication, using a quantitative study methodology, were included. Abstracts Copyright: © 2021 Ali et al. This is an open access and full texts were reviewed by 2 reviewers. Data were extracted and narratively summa- article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits rized, as the studies were heterogeneous and used different outcome measures. Out of unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in 1,318 titles/abstracts screened and 59 full text studies reviewed, 24 fulfilled the inclusion any medium, provided the original author and criteria. Fourteen studies provided evidence of the disability associated with leprosy, source are credited. podoconiosis, or LF. Ten studies provided evidence on the association between the 3 Funding: This review is part of the `Excellence in NTDs and mental health or psychosocial outcomes. The prevalence of grade 2 disability Disability Prevention Integrated across Neglected Tropical Diseases' (EnDPoINT) project. The study varied from 3.9% to 86%. The most commonly reported mental health impacts were is supported by the National Institute for Health depression and mental distress. A high burden of mental illness was reported, varying Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Unit on from 12.6% to 71.7%; the suicidal ideation was also high (18.5%). In conclusion, disability NTDs at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and poor psychosocial and mental health status are associated with leprosy, podoconio- (BSMS) using Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding (award number 16/136/29). The sis, and LF. For optimum management of these NTDs, holistic care including both physical grant was awarded to GD and is being carried out and psychosocial interventions is vital. in partnership between BSMS in the UK and CDT- Africa, Addis Ababa University (AAU) in Ethiopia. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. The funders has no role in study design, data PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009492 July 8, 2021 1 / 17 PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES The impact of NTDs on disability and mental wellbeing: A systematic review collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. OA, AT, and MS Author summary receive some of their salary from the project. Podoconiosis, lymphatic filariasis (LF), and leprosy are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) Competing interests: The authors have declared that are commonly found among disadvantaged rural and some poor urban communities. that no competing interest exists. These diseases lead to disabilities of the leg, which may result in reduced productivity. The longer the duration of the disease, the more severe the disability. People affected by these diseases also commonly experience stigma and discrimination, which, in turn, affect health-seeking behavior. Due to this disability, stigma, and discrimination, people affected by these 3 NTDs have a poor quality of life. We also found a range of mental health prob- lems related to these 3 NTDs. Among these, the most common were mental distress and depression. As all 3 NTDs are associated with poor physical, psychosocial, and mental health outcomes, management should be holistic, incorporating physical, psychosocial, and mental health interventions. Following this review, we are working on the develop- ment of a holistic integrated care package for people affected by leprosy, podoconiosis, and LF in northwestern Ethiopia. Introduction Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of chronic, disabling, and disfiguring condi- tions that occur most commonly in settings of extreme poverty, especially among the rural poor and some underprivileged urban populations in low- and middle-income countries. Despite the significant disease burden they impose, these conditions were largely ignored within the global health field until grouped as ªNTDsº in 2000. Social stigma, prejudice, mar- ginalization, and the extreme poverty of afflicted populations are among the factors contribut- ing to the neglect of these diseases [1]. The 3 NTDs addressed in this review are leprosy, podoconiosis, and lymphatic filariasis (LF). These 3 conditions were selected because they are priority NTDs in Ethiopia and because this review was carried out as part of an implementa- tion research study on integrating care for these 3 conditions (the EnDPoINT program). Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. The disease affects the skin, peripheral nerves, limbs, and eyes; it can cause severe disability and may take 20 years or more to develop after onset of infection [2]. According to the 2019 World Health Organization (WHO) report, at the end of the 2019 reporting year, there were 202,185 new cases; among these, 177,175 were on multidrug therapy (MDT). In 2019, Brazil, India, and Indonesia reported more than 10,000 cases (80% of all cases). In the same calendar year, 13 countries, including Ethiopia, reported 1,000 to 10,000 cases. About 99 countries reported fewer than 1,000 cases. Among the reported cases, 7.4% were among children under 15 years of age. Moreover, from the registered new cases in 2019, there were 5.3% grade II disabilities [3]. In Ethiopia, in 2015, a total of 3,758 new leprosy cases were registered, and, among these, 12.8% were children. A total of 10.2% of new cases of leprosy had grade II disability at diagno- sis [4]. Podoconiosis primarily affects barefoot underprivileged farmers in areas with red volcanic soil as a consequence of long-term exposure to this soil. The disease results from interaction between genetic susceptibility and the environment [5±6]. Clinical sequelae include progres- sive bilateral leg swelling, resulting in disability; the disease is also complicated by acute adeno- lymphangitis, which results in reduced productivity [7]. A recent
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Integrated Morbidity Management For
    Lessons from the field Integrated morbidity management for lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis, Ethiopia Kebede Deribe,a Biruck Kebede,b Mossie Tamiru,b Belete Mengistu,c Fikreab Kebede,c Sarah Martindale,d Heven Sime,e Abate Mulugeta,f Biruk Kebede,c Mesfin Sileshi,b Asrat Mengiste,g Scott McPhersonc & Amha Fentayeb Problem Lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis are the major causes of tropical lymphoedema in Ethiopia. The diseases require a similar provision of care, but until recently the Ethiopian health system did not integrate the morbidity management. Approach To establish health-care services for integrated lymphoedema morbidity management, the health ministry and partners used existing governmental structures. Integrated disease mapping was done in 659 out of the 817 districts, to identify endemic districts. To inform resource allocation, trained health extension workers carried out integrated disease burden assessments in 56 districts with a high clinical burden. To ensure standard provision of care, the health ministry developed an integrated lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis morbidity management guideline, containing a treatment algorithm and a defined package of care. Experienced professionals on lymphoedema management trained government-employed health workers on integrated morbidity management. To monitor the integration, an indicator on the number of lymphoedema-treated patients was included in the national health management information system. Local setting In 2014, only 24% (87) of the 363 health facilities surveyed provided lymphatic filariasis services, while 12% (44) provided podoconiosis services. Relevant changes To date, 542 health workers from 53 health centres in 24 districts have been trained on integrated morbidity management. Between July 2013 and June 2016, the national health management information system has recorded 46 487 treated patients from 189 districts.
    [Show full text]
  • Podoconiosis in Ethiopia: from Neglect to Priority Public Health Problem
    Podoconiosis in Ethiopia: from neglect to priority public health problem Article (Accepted Version) Deribe, Kebede, Kebede, Biruck, Mengistu, Belete, Negussie, Henok, Sileshi, Mesfin, Tamiru, Mossie, Tomezyk, Sara, Tekola-Ayele, Fasil, Davey, Gail and Fentaye, Amha (2017) Podoconiosis in Ethiopia: from neglect to priority public health problem. Ethiopian Medical Journal, 55. pp. 65-74. ISSN 0014-1755 This version is available from Sussex Research Online: http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/70009/ This document is made available in accordance with publisher policies and may differ from the published version or from the version of record. If you wish to cite this item you are advised to consult the publisher’s version. Please see the URL above for details on accessing the published version. Copyright and reuse: Sussex Research Online is a digital repository of the research output of the University. Copyright and all moral rights to the version of the paper presented here belong to the individual author(s) and/or other copyright owners. To the extent reasonable and practicable, the material made available in SRO has been checked for eligibility before being made available. Copies of full text items generally can be reproduced, displayed or performed and given to third parties in any format or medium for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-profit purposes without prior permission or charge, provided that the authors, title and full bibliographic details are credited, a hyperlink and/or URL is given for the original metadata page and the content is not changed in any way. http://sro.sussex.ac.uk Podoconiosis in Ethiopia: From neglect to priority public health problem KebedeDeribe1,2,3,4, Biruck Kebede1, Belete Mengistu1, Henok Negussie2, Biruk Kebede4,Mesfin Sileshi1,4 , Mossie Tamiru1, Sara Tomczyk5, Fasil Tekola-Ayele6, Gail Davey2, Amha Fentaye1 1.
    [Show full text]
  • An Under-Recognized Non-Filarial Cause of Lower Extremity Lymphedema
    An under-recognized non-filarial cause of lower extremity lymphedema Angie Koriakos, DO, MPH South Texas Dermatology Residency Case A 14-year-old boy presents with bilateral lower extremity elephantiasis with lichenification of the overlying skin and a mossy appearance of the toes. The lesions began 5 years ago and were accompanied by edema and pruritus. The boy is from the Guraghe zone of Ethiopia and because of poor socioeconomic conditions has been barefoot throughout his entire life. He works in the fields and has no significant medical history. Causes of lower extremity lymphedema Deep vein thrombosis Neurofibromatosis Hypoalbuminemia Sclerema neonatorum Renal failure Idiopathic edema Lipedema Congestive heart failure Postoperative complications Venous insufficiency Baker cyst Cellulitis Differential diagnosis Lymphedema secondary to systemic disease (cardiac, renal) Vascular causes Lymphangioma Mycetoma Kaposi sarcoma Leprotic lymphedema Elephantiasis verrucosa nostra Filarial elephantiasis PODOCONIOSIS What is podoconiosis? Podoconiosis is a non-infectious, non-filarial, geochemical lymphedema Derived from Greek terms podos and konos, meaning foot and dust, respectively Elephantiasis dates back to second millennium BC. Until 1924, all forms of elephantiasis were considered infectious until the 1960’s and 1970’s, when non filarial elephantiasis in Ethiopia termed podoconiosis Affects farmers mainly in tropical parts of Africa and is caused by long term barefoot exposure to red clay soil of volcanic origin Epidemiology At least 4 million people globally with podoconiosis Affects people in more than 20 countries Tropical Africa Central and South America Northern India Countries where podoconiosis is endemic or has been described Geographical distribution of podoconiosis in Ethiopia, results from historical maps and recent surveys conducted on podoconiosis.
    [Show full text]
  • Defining and Managing Acute Lymphangioadenitis in Podoconiosis Lymphoedema in Northern Ethiopia
    DEFINING AND MANAGING ACUTE LYMPHANGIOADENITIS IN PODOCONIOSIS LYMPHOEDEMA IN NORTHERN ETHIOPIA HENOK NEGUSSIE SEIFU PhD 2017 1 DEFINING AND MANAGING ACUTE LYMPHANGIOADENITIS IN PODOCONIOSIS LYMPHOEDEMA IN NORTHERN ETHIOPIA HENOK NEGUSSIE SEIFU A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex for a programme of study undertaken at Brighton and Sussex Medical School for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy JULY, 2017 2 This thesis was supervised by Prof Gail Davey, Professor of Global Health Epidemiology, Brighton and Sussex Medical Scholl, UK Prof. Melanie Newport, Professor of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical Scholl, UK Prof Fikre Enquselassie, Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, University 3 Abstract Podoconiosis (endemic non-filarial elephantiasis) is a non-infectious disease arising in barefoot individuals in long-term contact with irritant red clay soil of volcanic origin. The condition is believed to be caused by the interplay between environmental factors and genetic susceptibility over a prolonged period of time. In the last decade significant progress had been made in research on podoconiosis. Acute dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA) is a common and disabling complication of podoconiosis lymphoedema and remain the most painful and distressing condition, with diverse health, social and economic ramifications, yet has been very little investigated to date. This PhD thesis is therefore, aimed at defining ADLA, validating this to measure the impact of ADLA, and to document the impact of a simple foot hygiene intervention on ADLA and quality of life among podoconiosis patients. The study utilized several steps.
    [Show full text]
  • Establishing Rights and Duties in the Prevention And
    HHr Health and Human Rights Journal A Human Right to Shoes? Establishing RightsHHR_final_logo_alone.indd 1 10/19/15 10:53 AM and Duties in the Prevention and Treatment of Podoconiosis arianne shahvisi, enguday meskele, and gail davey Abstract Podoconiosis is a debilitating chronic swelling of the foot and lower leg caused by long-term exposure to irritant red volcanic clay soil in the highland regions of Africa, Central America, and India. In this paper, we consider the human rights violations that cause, and are caused by, podoconiosis in Ethiopia. Specifically, we discuss the way in which the right to an adequate basic standard of living is not met in endemic regions, where the following basic necessities are not readily available: appropriate footwear, health education, and affordable, accessible health care. Those living with podoconiosis experience disablement, stigma and discrimination, and mental distress, contributing to greater impoverishment and a reduced quality of life. We suggest that while identifying rights violations is key to characterizing the scale and nature of the problem, identifying duties is critical to eliminating podoconiosis. To this end, we describe the duties of the Ethiopian government, the international community, and those sourcing Ethiopian agricultural products in relation to promoting shoe-wearing, providing adequate health care, and improving health literacy. Arianne Shahvisi is a lecturer in ethics and medical humanities at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK. Enguday Meskele is a lecturer in human rights law at Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia. Gail Davey is a professor of global health epidemiology at Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton, UK.
    [Show full text]
  • Mycetoma: a Clinical Dilemma in Resource Limited Settings Pembi Emmanuel1,2,3, Shyam Prakash Dumre1, Stephen John4, Juntra Karbwang5* and Kenji Hirayama1
    Emmanuel et al. Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob (2018) 17:35 Annals of Clinical Microbiology https://doi.org/10.1186/s12941-018-0287-4 and Antimicrobials REVIEW Open Access Mycetoma: a clinical dilemma in resource limited settings Pembi Emmanuel1,2,3, Shyam Prakash Dumre1, Stephen John4, Juntra Karbwang5* and Kenji Hirayama1 Abstract Background: Mycetoma is a chronic mutilating disease of the skin and the underlying tissues caused by fungi or bacteria. Although recently included in the list of neglected tropical diseases by the World Health Organization, strategic control and preventive measures are yet to be outlined. Thus, it continues to pose huge public health threat in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. If not detected and managed early, it results into gruesome deformity of the limbs. Its low report and lack of familiarity may predispose patients to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment initia- tion. More so in situation where diagnostic tools are limited or unavailable, little or no option is left but to clinically diagnose these patients. Therefore, an overview of clinical course of mycetoma, a suggested diagnostic algorithm and proposed use of materials that cover the exposed susceptible parts of the body during labour may assist in the prevention and improvement of its management. Furthermore, early reporting which should be encouraged through formal and informal education and sensitization is strongly suggested. Main text: An overview of the clinical presentation of mycetoma in the early and late phases, clues to distinguish eumycetoma from actinomycetoma in the feld and the laboratory, diferential diagnosis and a suggested diagnostic algorithm that may be useful in making diagnosis amidst the diferential diagnosis of mycetoma is given.
    [Show full text]
  • Wound Practice and Research
    Wound Practice and Research Journal of Wounds Australia Volume 25 Number 3 September 2017 Limited access to resources: Facing the universal issues takes a ‘village’. Featuring Editorial: Low resources and traditional medicine: Addressing global practice changes Resources for optimising wound outcomes in low-resource settings Care of oedematous skin in a resource-poor environment: A commentary of practice strategies to address a global community need Minimising wound-related pain: A discussion of traditional wound dressings and topical agents used in low-resource communities Establishing a lymphatic fi lariasis morbidity plan for Haiti Lessons learnt following my volunteer work in low-resource communities Good things happen when you put people first The ALLEVYN™ Range ALLEVYN LIFE ALLEVYN Gentle Border The next generation in multifoam layer dressing, A gentle silicone adhesive for fragile skin. designed with the human body in mind. ALLEVYN Non-Adhesive ALLEVYN Adhesive A versatile dressing for compromised skin.1 A secure adhesive when security is paramount. The non-sensitising adhesive2 helps keep the dressing securely in place without adhering to the wound.3,4 We find that good things happen when you put people first: improved wellbeing, greater concordance and all the system efficiencies that derive from that.5 Getting you closer to zero delays in wound healing www.closertozero.com Supporting healthcare professionals References: 1. Denyer J. Wound management for children with Epidermolysis Bullosa. Dermatol Clin 2010; 28(2): 257-264. 2. Walton G. Claims support for ALLEVYN adhesive. Data on file; 2015: report PSS185. 3. Avanzi A, et al. An adhesive hydrocellular dressing versus a hydrocolloid dressing in the treatment of 2nd and 3rd degree pressure sores.
    [Show full text]
  • An RCT to Determine an Effective Skin Regime Aimed at Improving Skin Barrier Function and Quality of Life in Those with Podoconiosis in Ethiopia
    THE UNIVERSITY OF HULL An RCT to determine an effective skin regime aimed at improving skin barrier function and quality of life in those with podoconiosis in Ethiopia being a Thesis submitted for the Degree of PhD in the University of Hull by Jill Brooks, M.Phil., BA (Hons), RGN, Dip Trop Nurs. 11th April 2016 CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 11 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION. 13 1.1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY. 13 1.2. ORGANISATION OF THE THESIS. 16 CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW. 18 2.1. INTRODUCTION. 18 2.2. SKIN DISEASE IN RESOURCE-POOR COUNTRIES. 18 2.3. PODOCONIOSIS. 20 2.3.1. NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF PODOCONIOSIS. 21 2.3.2. PREVALENCE OF PODOCONIOSIS. 23 2.3.2.1. PREVALENCE OF PODOCONIOSIS IN ETHIOPIA, PATIENT’S AGE AND GENDER. 24 2.3.3. DIAGNOSIS AND STAGES OF PODOCONIOSIS. 26 2.3.4. EFFECTS OF PODOCONIOSIS ON THE SKIN AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. 28 2.3.5. ACUTE ADENOLYMPHANGITIS IN PODOCONIOSIS. 36 2.3.6. ADENO-LYMPHANGITIS IN LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS. 37 2.3.7. PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF PODOCONIOSIS. 38 2.3.8. EFFECT OF DIFFERENT CARE/MANAGEMENT SERVICES. 48 2.3.8.1. REASONS FOR NON-ATTENDANCE AT PODOCONIOSIS CLINICS. 49 2.3.9. ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF SKIN DISEASE AND PODOCONIOSIS. 50 2.3.10. PATIENT’S KNOWLEDGE OF ADENOLYMPHANGITIS IN PODOCONIOSIS. 51 2.3.11. KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF HEALTH EXTENSION WORKERS, PATIENTS AND THE COMMUNITY TOWARDS PODOCONIOSIS. 51 2.3.11.1. HEALTH EXTENSION WORKER’S KNOWLEDGE. 52 2.3.11.2. COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE. 52 2.3.11.3.
    [Show full text]
  • Skin-Related Neglected Tropical Diseases (Skin-Ntds) a New Challenge
    Skin-Related Neglected Tropical Diseases (Skin-NTDs) A New Challenge Edited by Roderick J. Hay and Kingsley Asiedu Printed Edition of the Special Issue Published in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease www.mdpi.com/journal/tropicalmed Skin-Related Neglected Tropical Diseases (Skin-NTDs) Skin-Related Neglected Tropical Diseases (Skin-NTDs) A New Challenge Special Issue Editors Roderick J. Hay Kingsley Asiedu MDPI • Basel • Beijing • Wuhan • Barcelona • Belgrade Special Issue Editors Roderick J. Hay Kingsley Asiedu The International Foundation for Dermatology World Health Organization UK Switzerland Editorial Office MDPI St. Alban-Anlage 66 4052 Basel, Switzerland This is a reprint of articles from the Special Issue published online in the open access journal Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (ISSN 2414-6366) from 2018 to 2019 (available at: https://www. mdpi.com/journal/tropicalmed/special issues/Skin NTDs). For citation purposes, cite each article independently as indicated on the article page online and as indicated below: LastName, A.A.; LastName, B.B.; LastName, C.C. Article Title. Journal Name Year, Article Number, Page Range. ISBN 978-3-03921-253-8 (Pbk) ISBN 978-3-03921-254-5 (PDF) Cover image courtesy of Daniel Mason. c 2019 by the authors. Articles in this book are Open Access and distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license, which allows users to download, copy and build upon published articles, as long as the author and publisher are properly credited, which ensures maximum dissemination and a wider impact of our publications. The book as a whole is distributed by MDPI under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND.
    [Show full text]
  • Epidemiology of Elephantiasis with Special Emphasis on Podoconiosis in Ethiopia: a Literature Review
    J Vector Borne Dis 52, June 2015, pp. 111–115 Review Article Epidemiology of elephantiasis with special emphasis on podoconiosis in Ethiopia: A literature review Mulat Yimer, Tadesse Hailu, Wondemagegn Mulu & Bayeh Abera Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia ABSTRACT Elephantiasis is a symptom of a variety of diseases that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs, male genitals and female breasts. Some conditions having this symptom include: Elephantiasis nostras, due to longstanding chronic lymphangitis; Elephantiasis tropica or lymphatic filariasis, caused by a number of parasitic worms, particularly Wuchereria bancrofti; non-filarial elephantiasis or podoconiosis, an immune disease caused by heavy metals affecting the lymph vessels; proteus syndrome, the genetic disorder of the so-called Elephant Man, etc. Podoconiosis is a type of lower limb tropical elephantiasis distinct from lymphatic filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis affects all population at risk, whereas podoconiosis predominantly affects barefoot subsistence farmers in areas with red volcanic soil. Ethiopia is one of the countries with the highest number of podoconiosis patients since many people are at risk to red-clay soil exposure in many parts of the country. The aim of this review was to know the current status and impact of podoconiosis and its relevance to elephantiasis in Ethiopia. To know the epidemiology and disease burden, the literatures published by different scholars were systematically reviewed. The distribution of the disease and knowledge about filarial elephantiasis and podoconiosis are not well known in Ethiopia. It is relatively well studied in southern Ethiopia but data from other parts of the country are limited.
    [Show full text]
  • Podoconiosis, a Neglected Tropical Disease
    REVIEW Podoconiosis, a neglected tropical disease D.A. Korevaar*, B.J. Visser Academic Medical Centre / University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, *corresponding author: tel. +31 (0)64-2993008, e-mail: [email protected] a b s t r a C t Podoconiosis or ‘endemic non-filarial elephantiasis’ is a to lymphoedema. This swelling is called ‘elephantiasis’. tropical disease caused by exposure of bare feet to irritant Although the most common cause of elephantiasis alkaline clay soils. this causes an asymmetrical swelling of in the tropics is infection with filarial worms box( 1), the feet and lower limbs due to lymphoedema. Podoconiosis has a curable pre-elephantiasic phase. However, once elephantiasis is established, podoconiosis persists and may cause lifelong disability. the disease is associated with living box 1. Lymphatic filariasis in low-income countries in the tropics in regions with high Lymphatic filariasis is a tropical disease caused by altitude and high seasonal rainfall. it is found in areas of roundworms (nematodes). Three species of these tropical africa, Central and south america and north-west worms are known to cause filariasis, of which the india. in endemic areas, podoconiosis is a considerable most important is Wucheria bancrofti. It is endemic public health problem. social stigmatisation of patients in countries in the tropics and 1.39 billion people is widespread and economic losses are enormous since it live in areas of risk. Approximately 40 million mainly affects the most productive people, sustaining the people have stigmatising and disabling clinical disease-poverty-disease cycle. Podoconiosis is unique in manifestations of the infection, of whom 15 million being an entirely preventable, non-communicable tropical have elephantiasis.20 More than 60% of those disease with the potential for eradication.
    [Show full text]
  • Neglected Tropical Diseases Through Changes on the Skin
    RECOGNIZING NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES THROUGH CHANGES ON THE SKIN The skin of a patient is the first and most visible structure of the body that any health-care worker encounters during the course of an examination. To the patient, it is also highly visible, and any disease that affects it is noticeable and will have an impact on personal and social well-being. The skin is therefore an important entry point for both diagnosis and management. Many diseases of humans are associated with changes to the skin, ranging from symptoms such as itching to changes in colour, feel and appearance. The major neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) frequently produce such changes in the skin, re-enforcing the feelings of isolation and stigmatization experienced by patients affected by these diseases. Indeed, these are often the first signs that patients will notice, even before changes in internal organs or other systems occur. The following NTDs all have prominent skin changes at some stage in their evolution. Buruli ulcer Cutaneous leishmaniasis Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis Leprosy Lymphatic filariasis Mycetoma Onchocerciasis Podoconiosis Scabies Yaws (endemic treponematosis) Buruli ulcer Cutaneous leishmaniasis Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis Leprosy Lymphatic filariasis Mycetoma Onchocerciasis Podoconiosis Scabies Yaws (endemic treponematosis) Buruli ulcer Cutaneous leishmaniasis Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis Leprosy Lymphatic filariasis Mycetoma OnchocerciasisPodoconiosis Scabies Yaws (endemic treponematosis) Buruli ulcer Cutaneous leishmaniasis Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis Leprosy Lymphatic filariasis Mycetoma Onchocerciasis Podoconiosis Scabies Yaws (endemic treponematosis) This training guide explains how to identify the signs and symptoms of neglected tropical diseases of the skin through their visible characteristics.
    [Show full text]