FILARIASIS IN FUJIAN PROVINCE

Malayan filariasis is mainly found in the northwestern part of Fujian province, whereas bancroftian filariasis is found in the central and southern part of this province. There were approximately 2,000,000 patients with filariasis in this province in 1958. The prevalence rate was higher in male (9.4%) than in female (7.7%). Fever attacks and elephantiasis of limbs were common in the malayan filariasis endemic areas, but less common in the bancroftian filariasis endemic areas. Analysis of hydrocele fluid showed that hydrocele was not caused by exudative reaction from the stimulation of the living worms, but was caused by inflammatory obstruction of lymphatic vessles. The periodicity indices obtained from both species of filaria in the endemic areas were over 92%. Investigation showed that C. fatigans is the chief vector of W. bancrofti while An. lesteri anthropophagus is the true vector of B. malayi. Diethylcarbamazine citrate (Hetrazan) had been used for the treatment of malayan and bancroftian filariasis with good results. The control of filariasis is closely related with the improvement of living standard. Through mass survey and treatment, the W. bancrofti microfilarial rate had dropped from 8.3% in 1956 to 0.76% in 1980 in the most densely populated Xiaoqiao District in Fuzhou city.