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Lymphatic Filariasis: Progress and Challenges in the Move Toward Elimination

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Challenges in Infectious Diseases

Part of the book series: Emerging Infectious Diseases of the 21st Century ((EIDC))

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Helminth Immunology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, 20892-0425, USA

    Thomas B. Nutman M.D.

  2. Clinical Parasitology Section, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892-0425, USA

    Thomas B. Nutman M.D.

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Correspondence to Thomas B. Nutman M.D. .

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    I.W. Fong

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Nutman, T.B. (2013). Lymphatic Filariasis: Progress and Challenges in the Move Toward Elimination. In: Fong, I. (eds) Challenges in Infectious Diseases. Emerging Infectious Diseases of the 21st Century. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4496-1_7

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