Acute disease episodes in a Wuchereria bancrofti-endemic area of Papua NewGuinea

Acute disease episodes of Bancroftian filariasis were monitored prospective ly in a rural area of Papua New Guinea. The frequency and duration of episo des were recorded for the leg, arm, scrotum, and breast. A very high incide nce of acute disease was observed; 0.31 episodes per person-year in the leg alone. Incidence generally increased with age, except in the breast, where episodes were concentrated in the reproductive age range. Males had slight ly higher incidence than females in the leg and arm. Chronic disease was st rongly associated with acute disease incidence in all locations. Microfilar emia had a statistically significant association with acute disease in the leg, arm, and breast, but not the scrotum. This study again demonstrates th e high burden of acute manifestations of lymphatic filariasis, and provides new information on risk factors, which may lead to better understanding of etiology and control prospects.