Elephantiasis Research Paper

Elephantiasis is a rare disease that causes enlargement of the limbs, and sometimes other body parts. It is caused by a blockage in the vessels of the lymphatic system. Those infected with the disease often spend their lives disable and in tremendous pain. In the following pages, I will discuss the exact causes of the disease and its symptoms. Also, I will discuss what measures can be taken to treat and prevent the disease.
Elephantiasis is a disease that affects the lymphatic system. In the lymphatic system, a white fluid called, lymph, travels through tiny vessels to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes help remove viruses and bacteria from the body. Lymph nodes can be found in the neck, arms, abdomen, and groin. The spleen and tonsils are part of the lymphatic system as well. Elephantiasis is caused when there is a blockage in the lymph vessels, preventing the lymph to pass through to the lymph nodes (Elephantiasis, 2015). The blockage causes the lymph to build up in the body, and swell around the limb where the blockage occurs (Elephantiasis Tropica, 2014). Also, elephantiasis can be caused by mosquitoes infected with roundworms. When this is the cause, the disease is referred to as, Lymphatic filariasis; however, the names are interchangeable. This type of elephantiasis is
It is most commonly found in people that become infected with lymphogranuloma vernereum (LVG) and donovanosis. LVG is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis serovar L1-L3. Infection with this bacteria causes chronic lymphatic obstruction in the genital region. Over time, this results in genital elephantiasis. Donovanosis is caused by becoming infected with the bacteria Calymmatobacterium granulomatosis. When the body’s immune system tries to fight off Donovanosis, inflammation and narrowing of the lymphatic vessels occur. This results in a buildup of lymph, which can cause genital elephantiasis (Elephantiasis,