Lymphatic Filariasis: A systematic review on its morbidity and road to elimination

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by parasitic nematodes transmitted to humans by mosquito bites. It is endemic in tropical and subtropical countries where more than a billion people are at risk of being infected, and some 51 million people are clinically affected. Infective filarial larvae entering human through mosquito bites develops in to adult worm that damages the lymphatic system irreversibly. This lymphatic damage facilitates bacterial infection leading to lymphedema resulting in permanent disfigurement of limbs, and consequent increase in social burden and poverty. Diagnosis based on observing microfilaria in blood and tissue, or serology is widely used. Effective and affordable treatment and mass drug administration by World Health Organization (WHO) have dramatically reduced the incidence of filariasis in most of the endemic countries and many of which have eradicated this disease. This review highlights the epidemiology with emphasis on precision diagnosis, useful treatment and rehabilitation with a view to eliminating this Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) worldwide by 2030 as planned by WHO.