lymphatic filariasis

• Filarial nematodes are subdivided into three groups based on the anatomical location of which they cause pathology:

  • Subcutaneous
  • Serous
  • Lymphatic
• Adults lodged in the lymphatic system causing lymphedema, lymphangitis and elephantiasis
• Transmitted by blood feeding arthropod vectors
• Lymphatic filariasis is the second leading cause of permanent and long term disability, affecting both physical and psychological aspects of the victim
• Wuchereria bancrofti - Bancroft’s filarial worms it is the causative agent of Bancroftian filariasis
• Brugia malayi - Malayan filarial worm it is the causative agent of Malayan filariasis