title: [Elephantiasis soon eliminated? New therapeutic concepts make mass treatment possible].
abstract: Lymphatic filariasis currently affects some 120 million people in 73 tropical countries. Almost one-half of all those affected have manifest signs and symptoms of disease, of which elephantiasis is the most serious. A large majority of the remainder have subclinical lymphopathy and nephropathy. New scientific discoveries give rise to the hope that the global elimination of this disease--which is associated with physical disfigurement, sexual dysfunction and social decline--might be possible. Today, we have available simple diagnostic tools and highly effective, safe and cost-effective medications. New insights into the pathogenesis now make it possible to alleviate individual suffering and prevent further progression of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Infektions- und Tropenmedizin, Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stingl
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004604:Elephantiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005369:Filaricides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D005369:Filaricides; D007559:Ivermectin; D015766:Albendazole; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine