Acanthocheilonemiasis

What is Acanthocheilonemiasis?

Acanthocheilonemiasis is caused by a tropical parasite called Acanthocheilonema perstans, which is found mainly in Africa, It is known as a filarial disease, Acanthocheilonemiasis is a parasitic disease caused by an infection with roundworms of the Filarioidea type. Spread by blood-feeding black flies and mosquitoes eight of these nematodes like to enjoy humans as their preferred hosts.

What are the symptoms of Acanthocheilonemiasis?

Common symptoms of Acanthocheilonemiasis include the following:

• Headache
• Red itchy skin
• Inflamed muscle tissues
• Muscle pain
• Localized swelling
• Enlargred liver and spleen
• Abdominal and chest pain
• Elevated white blood cells

What causes Acanthocheilonemiasis?

Acanthocheilonemiasis is transmitted via a small black insect called A. Cailicoides. Long worms that have a thread-like appearance called Acanthocheilonema perstans or Dipetalonema perstans are the culprit behind the disease.

How is Acanthocheilonemiasis diagnosed?

Acanthocheilonemiasis can be diagnosed through a thick blood smear obtained from the infected patient and observed under a microscope.

What are the treatments for Acanthocheilonemiasis?

Mild cases of acanthocheilonemiasis infection will not likely need treatment. There are antifilarial drugs like diethyl-carbamazine and ivermectin that are first-line therapy. In extreme cases, the worm may need to be surgically removed.

Where can I find out more about Acanthocheilonemiasis?

• NIH
• NORD
• Check Orphan