Welcome to the Lymphoedema Infection Surveillance Programme Website
Background
Lymphoedema results from a failure of lymph drainage. Apart from swelling, infection is a common consequence of lymphatic insufficiency
and in particular cellulitis (erysipelas). This results from a disturbance in the lymphatic system’s important role in immune responses
and in particular trafficking of lymphocytes and activated antigen-presenting cells.
Attacks of cellulitis are arguably one of the most alarming, disabling and dangerous problems confronting a lymphoedema patient.
Sufferers can experience recurrent attacks, sometimes frequently, and management is difficult. Research on the subject is poor.
Data on the disease burden is limited and evidence for best treatment is lacking.
Purpose
This website is designed to collect accurate data on epidemiology with the aim of determining disease prevalence, risk factors,
prescribed treatments, effectiveness of treatments etc and subjecting the data to audit with subsequent development of clinical trials