Patient case: Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) in Sub-Saharan Africa
A present to the local health clinic with persistent swelling in her right leg, worsening over the past three months. She reports intermittent fevers, fatigue, and difficulty walking. Her symptoms began after what she described as a “small insect bite” on her foot, which she initially ignored. The swelling gradually worsened, leading to disfigurement and severe discomfort.
She reports no other significant medical history but notes that many people in her village have similar symptoms. Clean water is scarce, and sanitation facilities are minimal.
A lives in a farming community, and her work requires her to be outdoors daily. Her village has limited access to healthcare, and she had to travel several hours to reach the clinic. She has no known history of travel outside her region.
Vitals: Temperature 38.5°C, BP 110/70 mmHg, Pulse 88 bpm.
General: Appears fatigued, with mild weight loss.
Extremities: Marked swelling in the right leg, with thickening of the skin. No ulcers or open wounds are present, but the leg is visibly deformed. Lymph nodes in the groin are palpable and tender.
Other systems: No abnormalities noted.
The clinical presentation, geographic location, and history of insect exposure are consistent with lymphatic filariasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by parasitic worms transmitted by mosquito bites. The prolonged swelling and disfigurement are indicative of elephantiasis, a chronic manifestation of the disease.
- Diagnostic testing for microfilariae in the blood, especially during night-time when the parasites are most active.
- Treatment with antiparasitic drugs (diethylcarbamazine and albendazole).
- Supportive care including hygiene promotion and management of the swollen limb to prevent further complications.
- Community outreach for preventive measures such as bed nets and mass drug administration to reduce disease transmission.
A’s case highlights the challenges of addressing NTDs in resource-limited settings in sub-Saharan Africa, where lack of healthcare infrastructure, poor sanitation, and environmental factors contribute to the persistence of these debilitating diseases.
a). Malaria
b). Tuberculosis
c). Lymphatic filariasis
d). Schistosomiasis
a). Tsetse fly
b). Anopheles mosquito
c). Sandfly
d). Culex mosquito
a). River blindness
b). Elephantiasis
c). Leprosy
d). Hepatosplenomegaly
a). Improved nutrition
b). Mass drug administration and use of bed nets
c). Vaccination
d). Boiling drinking water
