Medicine

What causes elephantiasis?

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In tropical countries the most common cause is filariasis, infestation with certain filaria, small parasitic roundworms (see worm ) of the genera Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia malayi that are introduced into the body by many species of mosquitoes. The adult worms live in the lymphatic system, causing local inflammation, fibrosis, and obstruction, and resulting in the characteristic enlargement and thickening of the skin. The initial damage done by the worms can be greatly worsened by secondary bacterial and fungal infections.

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