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filariasis
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   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.

filariasis

Collective term for several diseases, prevalent in tropical areas, caused by certain roundworm (nematode) parasites. About 120 million people worldwide are infected with filarial worms, mostly in India and Africa.

Symptoms include damaged and swollen lymph vessels leading to grotesque swellings of the legs and genitals (Bancroftian filariasis, elephantiasis), blindness, and dry, scaly skin (onchocerciasis). The disease-causing worms are spread mainly by insects, notably mosquitoes and blackflies. Filariasis is treated by drugs to kill the worms, though this does not reverse any swelling. A World Health Organization (WHO) initiative to eliminate filariasis began in 2000.



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At right, filarial worms damage the human immune system and cause a water-bag like condition called
Reasons for this discrepancy are unclear but may be related to differences in the "preferred" anatomic location of the adult filarial worm between men and women (18) and biologic factors, particularly pregnancy, that further stress the lymphatic system in women.
 
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