Wuchereria

Overview

Wuchereria, specifically Wuchereria bancrofti, is a parasitic filarial nematode (roundworm) and the leading cause of lymphatic filariasis in humans. The worm is transmitted between people through the bites of mosquitoes that carry its larvae; once in the body, adult worms lodge in the lymphatic system, where they can obstruct lymph flow and provoke inflammation. Infection is often acquired in childhood and may remain silent for years, but chronic damage can lead to lymphedema, gross swelling of the limbs known as elephantiasis, and, in men, hydrocele, causing long-term disability and social stigma. Lymphatic filariasis is a neglected tropical disease endemic in parts of Africa, Asia, and other warm regions, and it is a major target of mass drug administration and vector-control programs aimed at its elimination. Within the field of Parasite Research, Wuchereria bancrofti is studied for its epidemiology and persistence, including work documenting bancroftian filariasis remaining endemic in foci of Upper Egypt. This page gathers peer-reviewed, open-access research relevant to Wuchereria, lymphatic filariasis, and the transmission, burden, and control of filarial parasitic disease.

Research published in this journal

1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.

This page summarises published research for orientation; it is not medical or professional advice.

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