Brugia timori - Complications, Reservoir, Epidemiology, Transmission, Treatment, Prevention, Control

Complications of Brugia timori

Brugia timori infection is complicated by secondary bacterial and fungal infections on the overlying skin of elephantiasis (leg or arm).

Prognosis of Brugia timori

If the filarial nematode parasitic infection is diagnosed and treated early, the prognosis of Brugia timori is good. The infection due to Brugia timori is less severe with mild clinical manifestations than those with Brugia malayi or Wuchereria bancrofti.

Epidemiology of Brugia timori

Epidemiological studies of Brugia timori have shown that nocturnal periodic Brugia timori is restricted to the lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. It is endemic to the island’s Timor group, from where its scientific name has been derived.

Reservoir, Source of Brugia timori

For nocturnal periodic Brugia timori, man is the only host, and thus humans are the main source and reservoir for the filarial nematode parasite.

Transmission of Brugia timori

Transmission of Brugia timori occurs through the insect vector i.e. mosquitoes (Anopheles barbirostris) onto a healthy person.

Treatment of Brugia timori

Drugs of choice for the treatment of Brugia timori include:

• DEC (diethylcarbamazine) for lymphatic filariasis

  * kills mainly the microfilariae and to some extent the adult Brugia timori but is not effective against third and fourth-stage larvae

  * also reduces changes to developing chronic filariasis

  * a second course can be repeated to kill adults

  * side effects includes myalgia, headache, chill, arthralgia, fever

  * side effect is due to massive killing of microfilaria

• Ivermectin for onchocerciasis

• levamisole

• mebendazole

• centprazine

Prevention, Control of Brugia timori

The prevention and control of Brugia timori infection are based on

• successful treatment of infected individuals

• reduction of transmission by controlling mosquito population especially around housing by eliminating breeding places, spraying oils and chemicals in breeding sites

• using mosquito nets while sleeping, and netted windows in endemic areas

• use of biological control agents such as bacteria (e.g. Bacillus sphaericus strain 1593, Bacillus thuringiensis serotype 11-14), fish (e.g. Poecilia reticulata molliensis)

• wearing protective clothing

• use of mosquito repellants

• chemoprophylaxis