Microbewiki:Lymphatic Filariasis

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Description

Elephantiasis (also called Lymphatic Filariasis) is a disease caused by parasitic thread-like roundworms. Worldwide, most cases of Elephantiasis are caused by Wuchereria bandcrofti. However, in Asia the disease is also caused by Brugia malayi and B. timori. The parasitic worms only live in the body’s lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of tubes throughout the body that is responsible for draining fluids out of the tissues. The lymphatic system also helps protect the body from infection and disease. Once in the lymphatic system, the parasites can live for 5-7 years, reproducing and increasing the severity of the disease. Worldwide, Lymphatic Filariasis is the number one cause of permanent disability.

References

1 Conway, Tyrrell. “Genus conway”. “Microbe Wiki” 2013. Volume 1. p. 1-2.

Created by {Kyle TrInidad}, students of Tyrrell Conway at the University of Oklahoma.