Lymphatic filariasis is caused by Wuchereria Bancrofti virus. These are thread like parasites reside in the lymphatic system of the host. It remains a public health problem in many tropical countries of the especially in Southern and South east Asia. Most heavily infested areas in India are the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil nadu, Kerala, Orissa, Bihar, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Wuchereria Bancrofti is transmitted in India through C.quinquefasciatus and has animal reservoirs have been observed incats, dogs and monkeys. The infected mosquito bites a person and deposits the larvae in the skin these may remain in the skin or cross this barrier to enter the lymphatics.In human larvae develop into adult male or female worms over a period of 4 to 6 months. Adult worms reside in afferent lymphatics.The life cycle of the parasite is completed when a mosquito ingests microfilariae during a blood meal. The microfilariae show a characterized periodicity in the course of 24 hours. Acute clinical manifestations are characterized by recurrent attacks of fever associated with inflammation of the lymph nodes. In chronic stage lymphadenitis may progress to lymphatic obstruction resulting in changes associated with elephantiasis. Microfilariae can be detected in blood, urine, hydrocele fluid or tissues. Examination of a blood is still the best diagnostic tool. Treatment is the drug of choice for lymphatic filariasis and is active against both adult worms and microfilariae.Control of lymphatic filariasis should be aimed at decreasing morbidity, reducing transmission and interrupting the transmission cycle.
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