Epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis with special reference to urogenital-manifestations

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is currently endemic in as many as 80 countries round the globe, particularly in the tropics and sub-tropics. Wuchereria bancrofti as a causative organism accounts for over 90% of the global burden. India contributes about 40% of the total global burden and accounts for about 50% of the people at the risk of infection. In India, states like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharastra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Utter Pradesh and West Bengal contribute to about 95% of total burden. W. bancrofti is the predominant species accounting for about 98% of the national burden, widely distributed in 17 states and six union territories. Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) is an effective drug acting on the parasite (without report of resistance in past five decades) and mass annual single dose community drug administration with selective vector control could result in effective elimination of infection by interruption of transmission. The WHO has called for targeting filariasis elimination by 2020. India is the largest LF endemic country and has targeted the elimination of LF by 2015.

Keywords

• Epidemiology; Lymphatic filariasis; Urogenital filariasis