Elephantiasis is a condition caused by inflammation, obstruction, and destruction of the lymph vessels leading to swelling. It is often caused by repeated bacterial infections or microscopic worms and treated with chemotherapy, antibiotics, and improved hygiene. Lymphadenitis is the inflammation of lymph nodes which can be caused by infection, cancer, or autoimmune disease. Symptoms include swollen or tender lymph nodes and treatments involve antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or surgery. Severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome is a genetic disorder where children are born without a functioning immune system. They must live in sterile rooms and treatment involves bone marrow transplants or experimental gene therapy.

1. Chapter 6: Lymphatic and Immune SystemsBy: Emily Salutric

2. ElephantiasisInflammation, obstruction, and destruction of the lymph vessels which results in enlarged tissues due to edemaThe skin usually becomes thickened, and has a pebbly appearance and may become darkened and ulceratedThe lymphatic blockage may be caused by repeated bacterial infections and from microscopic thread-like wormsTreatments include chemotherapy and antibiotics to kill the worms, as well at heightened hygiene to aid the body’s immune system while it is down

3. Elephantiasis cont.

4. LymphadenitisInflammation of the lymph nodesThis is also known as swollen glandsCauses: infection, malignancy, or auto-immune diseaseSymptoms include swollen, tender or hard lymph nodes, and red, tender skin over the lymph nodeTreatments may include antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory medications, using cool compresses, and possibly surgery for drainage

5. Lymphadenitis cont.

6. Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome (SCIDS)This is a disease that is seen in children who are born with a nonfunctioning immune systemThese children are often forced to live in sealed, sterile roomsChildren inherit SCIDS through autosomal recessive inheritance, in which is receives a defective gene from each parent. The most common treatment is a bone marrow transplant, and gene therapy is now being tested as an alternative

7. SCIDS cont.