<unk>  is a parasitic and infectious tropical disease caused by thread-like parasitic filarial worms called nematodes. These include Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. They are all transmitted by mosquitoes. The infection occurs when an infected mosquito bites an individual introducing the larvae into the skin. These larvae then spread to various sites such as lymphatic vessels, subcutaneous tissues or serous cavities. The larvae then mature to be adult filariae, then adult worms which produce microfilariae which are carried by another mosquito and the cycle continues.<unk>  is endemic in some Asian, African and South American countries where it affects 120 million individual annually. Screening is important for early detection and the two commonly used tests are dipstick colloidal dye immunoassay and ICT<unk>  test kit. If left untreated, patients with<unk>  may progress to develop lymphoedema, hydrocele, skin pigmentation, and chyluria.<unk>  has a good prognosis in early cases but the chronic cases may progress to disability. The most common symptom of<unk>  is elephantiasis and scrotal swelling. Patients with<unk>  present with filarial fever which is self-limited fever. Diagnosis of<unk>  is made by identifying microfilariae on a giemsa stained thick blood film. Blood must be drawn at night, since the microfilaria circulate at night. There are also PCR assays available for making the diagnosis. Ultrasound also can help in the diagnosis by detecting the moving living worm which shows filarial dance sign. The recommended treatment for patients with<unk>  is albendazole combined with ivermectin. A combination of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole is also effective. Prevention of the disease involves wearing appropriate clothing, avoiding outbreaks, use of insecticides, and spatial repellents.
Filariasis
Toxocariasis
Helminthiasis
Leishmaniasis
Onchocerciasis
Isosporiasis
Schistosomiasis
Cyclosporiasis