Lymphatic Filariasis: Progress and Challenges in the Move Toward Elimination

Abstract

Among the eight filarial species of humans (Table 7.1), three closely related parasitic nematodes (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori) cause lymphatic filariasis (LF). Unlike most other helminthiases, the burden of infection and disease in lymphatic filariasis occurs primarily during adulthood where the cumulative effects of chronicity and infection intensity manifest themselves.