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Filariasis causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2] Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [3]

Overview

Filariasis is caused by the parasitic nematodes which are round worms or thread worms that infects mainly lymphatic vessels causing lymphatic filariasis. The three main nematodes that cause lymphatic filariasis are Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. Other nematodes include Loa loa (the eye worm), Mansonella streptocerca, and Onchocerca volvulus that cause subcutaneous filariasis. Mansonella perstans and Mansonella ozzardi cause serous cavity filariasis.

Causes

Filariasis is caused by the following nematodes [1] [2]

Nematodes causing lymphatic filariasis

Nematodes causing subcutaneous filariasis

Nematodes causing serous cavity filariasis

References

  1. CDC https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lymphaticfilariasis/epi.html Accessed on June 26, 2017
  2. Chandy A, Thakur AS, Singh MP, Manigauha A (2011). “A review of neglected tropical diseases: filariasis”. Asian Pac J Trop Med. 4 (7): 581–6. doi:10.1016/S1995-7645(11)60150-8. PMID 21803313.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 “Public Health Image Library (PHIL)”.

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