We reported two cases of elephantiasis neurofibromatosa in a family. The first case was the son of the second case. Both patients showed huge masses and bone changs. They were treated by surgical excision due to functional and cosmetic problems. The histopathologic findings of the two cases were consistent with neurofibroma.
Elephantiasis* ; Humans ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses*

The epidemiological surveys and inquest of retrospective data were conducted from 2002 to 2003 in Thua Thien – Hue, results showed that there were 4 patients with chronic complications of lymphatic filariasis in Hue city, Huong Tram district and Nam Dong district. Then the surveys were carried out in 7 communes with 2003 blood firms were taken and examined for microfilariae from November 2002 to April 2003. No positive slide has been found so far
Elephantiasis, Filarial ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Disease

Elephantiasis neurofibromatosa is the clinical subtype of neurofibromatosis and this clinically represents as a large, ill-defined, soft mass with soft tissue overgrowth and hairy pigmented patches. Histopathologically, an infiltrating and well-demarcated mass that is not encapsulated and the mass is composed of proliferating spindle-shaped cells can be observed in the dermis and subcutis. Mitotic activities should not exist. We herein report on two cases of elephantiasis neurofibromatosa that were treated with surgery. Both patients had had difficulty in walking due to a huge mass that had been on their left legs for more than 20 years. After surgery, they reported improvement of their ambulation.
Dermis ; Elephantiasis ; Humans ; Leg ; Neurofibromatoses ; Walking

In this survey, night blood firms were taken from 2,389 people in 2 communes of Lam Dong province: Tien Hoang (Cat Tien district) and Da Don ( Lam Ha district); and 2 communes of Dak Lak province: Eatrang (M’drak district) and Krongana (Buon Don district). No microlymphrea has been found. An entomological survey was also conducted in 4 same communes, showed that Culex quinquefasciantus and Culex vishnui occupied a high proportions among the collected mosquitoes. LF wasn’t found in the dissection of 461 mosquitoes
Elephantiasis, Filarial ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Disease ; epidemiology

An epidemiological survey for lymphatic filariasis was conducted in Nov.2001 in 4 communes of GiaLai and KonTum provinces. Blood was taken at night for detecting filarium,and mosquitoes were caugh for surveying entomologically.No microfilarium was detected in blood but a high rate of Culex quinquefasciatus,Culex vishnui, Culex puscocephalia was found. Dissection performed on 681 invidual mosquitoes did not show micofilarium
Elephantiasis, Filarial ; epidemiology ; diagnosis ; blood ; mosquitoes ;

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Elephantiasis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans

We report a case of elephantiasis neurofibromatosa in a 50-year-old female patient treated by in walking excision. She had difficulty in walking due to a huge mass on the abdomen. After surgical excision, she is leading a normal life and is very satisfied.
Abdomen ; Elephantiasis* ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Walking

In mid-1987 a baseline microfilarial prevalence survey was conducted among five villages in the Mt Bosavi region of the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Through use of the Nucleopore filtration technique, it was determined that 48% of villagers had detectable microfilaraemia. The highest prevalence was documented in Fogomaiyu, where the microfilaraemia rate was 92%. On the basis of this initial survey and the expressed interest of the community, the Division of Health in the Southern Highlands Province undertook an integrated community-based pilot control program. The project used two principal control methods: (a) drug treatment with low-dose diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) distributed to the community weekly and (b) vector control with permethrin-impregnated bednets. Results six months after the intervention indicate that the program was successful in reducing microfilaraemia at Fogomaiyu village from 92% to 6%. The reduction is principally related to the effects of DEC, although the bednets, by limiting vector-person contact, are expected to reduce the incidence of both filariasis and malaria.
Adolescent ; Altitude ; Bedding and Linens ; Community Participation ; Elephantiasis, Filarial - epidemiology

BACKGROUND

The Philippines has the highest number of new leprosy cases in the Western Pacific Region, with 1,000 to 2,000+ cases detected annually over the past decade. Out of 46 filariasis-endemic provinces in the country, 43 have eliminated lymphatic filariasis. However, many grade 2 disabilities acquired from these neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) remain undetected due to inadequate monitoring during and after treatment. This was further exacerbated by the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on healthcare access. The pandemic prompted initial adoption of teletraining, making a feasibility study necessary.

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using telehealth and distance learning to train healthcare workers and patients in the integrated rehabilitation and prevention of impairments and disabilities from leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, mycetoma, diabetes, pressure ulcers, and other chronic wounds.

Selected rural health units, patients with disabilities, and their caregivers in a leprosy- and lymphatic filariasis-endemic region were recruited. Municipal health officers and leprosy coordinators helped in the conceptualization, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the teletraining program to ensure its acceptability and utilization. Asynchronous and synchronous methods were used. The main reference was the "Ten Steps" guide. Training materials were shared via Google Drive and flash drives sent to each study site. One-day didactics and skills trainings were conducted through live-interactive sessions using online platforms (Zoom or Google Meet). Topics focused on nerve function assessment (for leprosy and diabetes), problems of mobility, lymphedema, wound care, and self-care. Participants practiced and demonstrated their skills on local patients, with mentoring through Messenger chats. Knowledge and performance assessments were conducted.

The study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 and the actual training implemented within four months of 2022. Two municipalities of Sultan Kudarat province, Mindanao Island group with one rural health unit (RHU) each had participated. All participants (N=16; eight RHU personnel and eight village health workers) attended the synchronous skills training, 12 (75%) submitted return demo videos, and 13 (81.25%) had practicum patients. All participants rated the training as successfully attaining objectives and activities. All were generally satisfied with the teletraining because of improved knowledge and skills gained and were willing to continue it. Efficiency, speed, quality of training, and trainers had high ratings. Teletraining was considered effective in improving the wound care of their patients. Patients were also satisfied with the home care. However, the unreliable internet service in the study sites created difficulties during synchronous sessions and negatively affected appropriateness of teletraining. Finding patients for practicum was challenging. Some supplies were not available in local drugstores and had to be shipped from Manila, raising costs. Overall, the rating of the teletraining was good.

Teletraining of health workers from distant health units on integrated disability prevention and care is feasible in terms of implementation, acceptability, and practicality if stable internet connectivity is available. Larger studies are recommended.

Plexiform neurofibromas are benign proliferations arising from the peripheral nerves and represent one of the diagnostic features of neurofibromatosis type 1. We present a case of a 14-year-old boy, who had large vascular neurofibromatous elephantiasis associated with a giant cafe-au-lait patch on his lateral aspect of the left hemithorax. Although he had no perceptible symptoms, radiologic examination revealed mild thoracic scoliosis with left side convexity. Our treatment of the skin lesion was one-stage palliative tumor debulking.
Adolescent ; Elephantiasis ; Humans ; Male ; Neurofibroma, Plexiform* ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Peripheral Nerves ; Scoliosis* ; Skin