Lymphatic Filariasis

This disease, commonly known as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical parasitic disease. Infection occurs through mosquitoes when filarial parasites are transmitted to humans. It is caused by thread like filarial nematodes known as ‘filariae’. These worms are commonly termed as ‘wuchereria bancrofti, brugia malayi and brugia timori. The worms occupy the lymphatic system, including the lymph nodes, and in chronic cases these worms lead to the disease elephantasis. They get deposited on the skin by the host and then migrate to the lymphatic vessels. Infected persons may be described as either “microfilaraemic” or “amicrofilaraemic” depending on whether or not microfilaria can be found in their peripheral blood. Finger pick test can be used for diagnosis.