Follow-up investigations on clinical manifestations after filariasis eradication by diethylcarbamazine medicated common salt on Kinmen (Quemoy) Islands, Republic of China
Fan, P.C.; Peng, H.W.; Chen, C.C.
Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 98(6): 461-464
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5304 PMID: 8544232 Document Number: 443405
From May to December 1993, a house-by-house survey was conducted on the changes in clinical manifestations of Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis among 814 pre-control mff carriers in 88 villages of 5 towns/districts on Kinmen Islands, Taiwan. Four hundred and sixteen (51%) pre-control mff carriers were examined physically with history taking. The rates of disappearance, improvement, no change, aggravation, and new occurrence were 72% (229), 6% (26), 14% (59%), 6% (24) and 2% (8), respectively. The rates of disappearance and improvement were higher for the acute than for the chronic manifestations. However, these rates were also high for hydrocoele and chyluria. These findings indicate that the acute manifestations disappear or greatly improve after filariasis eradication by a low dose of diethylcarbamazine medicated salt for a period of 6 months. However, the chronic cases remain unchanged or even aggravated to become one of the more important public health problems.