Elephantiasis, as known as lymphatic filariasis, is caused by three species of parasite nematode worms, known as filariae – Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori – and is a painful and profoundly disfiguring disease, which can cause temporary or permanent physical disability.
While the infection is usually acquired in childhood, its visible manifestations occur later in life.
The infection may cause a variety of clinical manifestations, including lymphoedema of the limbs, breasts and genitalia (hydrocele and lymph scrotum in males) and recurrent acute attacks, which are extremely painful and are usually accompanied by fever.