Host Response to Infection and Treatment in the Filarial Diseases of Humans

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying patients with filarial infections, which are caused by parasitic worms transmitted by mosquito bites. These infections can range from no symptoms to serious issues like swelling, allergic lung problems, skin rashes, eye inflammation leading to blindness, and heart disease. The study aims to explore the immune response to these infections, including how susceptible people are, how the disease develops, and how patients respond to treatment. Participants diagnosed with or suspected of having filarial infections will undergo standard medical tests to identify the specific parasite type. Depending on the infection, tests may include lung, skin, or heart examinations, and some may have a skin biopsy or bronchoalveolar lavage if medically necessary. Treatment will follow standard care using diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin based on the infection type. Additional research procedures include extra blood draws, urine collections, skin allergy tests, and leukapheresis for immune cell collection in adults. During the study, participants will have more frequent follow-up visits than usual, including physical exams and blood tests. Researchers will collect blood and serum samples to study immune responses and monitor how patients clinically and immunologically respond to treatment over time. The main outcome is to understand the factors affecting infection susceptibility, disease progression, and treatment response, with long-term observation planned for up to 10 years.

Host Response to Infection and Treatment in Filarial Diseases