Echinoderma is a rare tropical infectious disease caused by a parasite called echinoderma, which belongs to a parasitic disease called filariasis (nematode). Most of the parasites are found in Africa. Symptoms of infection may include skin redness, itching (itching), abdominal and chest pain, muscle pain (myalgia) and local swelling (edema). In addition, the liver and spleen may be abnormally enlarged (hepatosplenomegaly). Laboratory tests may also show abnormally elevated levels of certain specific white blood cells (eosinophilia). The parasite is transmitted by fly bites.
First, an overview of the disease
1. Signs and symptoms
People who initially suffer from echinodermal anemia may not have any symptoms. In people in this area where the parasite is common (endemic), symptoms are more common than in people native to this area. In people who have recently returned from infected areas, a common discovery in the laboratory is abnormally high levels of specialized white blood cells (eosinophilia). Usually, there are no symptoms associated with the results of laboratory tests.
When symptoms appear, they may include itching of the skin (pruritus), abdominal pain, chest pain, muscle pain (myalgia) and /or) swollen areas under the skin (subcutaneous). The doctor's examination may show abnormal enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly) and abnormally high levels of granular leukocytes (eosinophilia). Adult worms (nematodes) may remain in the tissues of the abdomen and chest, causing inflammation and an immune response. This can lead to inflammation of the lining of the lungs (pleurisy) and/or inflammation of the membranes around the heart (pericarditis). Early or pre-larval forms (microfilariae) of pertussis can be isolated from the blood of patients with acanthosis. Usually, the disease is diagnosed by examining a smear of pus and blood taken from a patient under a microscope.
2. The etiology of the disease
Echinoderma is a rare infectious disease caused by the long "linear" worm (Acanthocheilonema perstans, also known as Diptalonema perstans). The disease is transmitted by a small black insect (mosquito) called Cailicoides.
2. Related diseases and parasitic diseases of the disease
1. Related diseases
The symptoms of the following disorders may be similar to those of echinodermal anemia. Comparison may be helpful in the differential diagnosis:
(1) Filariasis
Filariasis is a group of rare infectious diseases caused by parasites. These diseases are characterized by abnormal changes in the lymph glands (lymphadenopathy) and chronic obstruction of lymphatic fluid flow. This can lead to extreme swelling of the legs and/or genitals (ele disease). This parasite enters the human body through mosquito bites.
(2) Onchocerciasis
Onchocerciasis or river blindness is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus. It is transmitted by the ink mosquito through repeated bites. The disease is called river blindness because the infected whiteflies live near fast-moving streams and rivers and mostly reproduce and reproduce near remote villages. Infection can lead to visual impairment and sometimes even blindness. In addition, onchocerciasis can cause skin disorders, including severe itching under the skin, rashes or nodules. Due to the contagious nature of blindness, onchocerciasis worldwide is second only to trachoma.
2. Detection of parasitic diseases
(1) Stool (fecal) examination, also known as egg and parasite examination
The test is used to look for parasites that cause diarrhea, sparse or watery stools, cramps, flatulence, and other abdominal disorders. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends examining three or more stool samples collected on different dates. The test will look for eggs (eggs) or parasites. Your healthcare provider may instruct you to place a stool sample in a special container filled with preservatives. Specimens not collected in the preservative solution should be refrigerated but not frozen until shipped to the laboratory or the office of the healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may require the lab to use special stains or perform special tests to look for bacteria that are not parasites. Screening is done regularly.
(2) Endoscopy /colonoscopy
Endoscopy is used to detect parasites that cause diarrhea, sparse or watery stools, cramps, flatulence (gas) and other abdominal disorders. By inserting a tube into the mouth (endoscope) or rectum (colonoscopy) so that a doctor (usually a gastroenterologist) can examine the intestine, which can detect parasites or other abnormalities that may be causing your signs and symptoms.
(3) Blood test
Some, but not all, parasitic infections can be detected by testing blood. Blood tests may reveal specific parasitic infections. No blood tests can detect all parasitic infections. Your doctor may order two routine blood tests: a serology test to look for antibodies or to look for parasitic antigens that are produced when the body is infected with a parasite and the immune system tries to fight off an invader. This test is performed by your healthcare provider and a blood sample is taken and sent to the lab. Blood smear tests are used to look for parasites found in the blood. Parasitic diseases such as filariasis, malaria or baculobacteriosis can be diagnosed by looking at the blood smear under a microscope, which is done by dropping a drop of blood on a microscope slide. The slides are then stained and examined under a microscope.
(4) X-rays
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed axial tomography (CAT) tests are used to look for some parasitic diseases that can cause organ damage.
3. About parasitic diseases
Parasites are organisms that use other organisms, such as your body, as a place to eat and live. You can get them from contaminated food or water, insect bites, or sexual contact. Some parasitic diseases are easy to treat, while others are not. Parasites vary in size, from tiny single-celled organisms (called protozoa) to worms that can be seen with the naked eye. Some parasitic diseases occur in the United States. Contaminated water supplies can lead to Giardia infection. Cats can spread toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for pregnant women. Other diseases, such as malaria, are also prevalent in other parts of the world. If you are traveling, it is important to drink only water that you deem safe. Prevention is particularly important. There is no vaccine for parasitic diseases. Some drugs can be used to treat parasitic infections.
Conclusion: The parasite that causes echinodermasis is echinoderma, which is common in some parts of central Africa and South America. The disease affects men and women equally. People who initially suffer from echinodermal anemia may not have any symptoms. In people who visit this common (endemic) area of the parasite, its symptoms are more common than in people native to that area. Attention should be paid to the prevention of the disease on the food source.