Infectious Disease Compendium

Wuchereria bancrofti

Microbiology

A nematode, found in humans.

Epidemiologic Risks

Spread by mosquito bite, found in the tropics and subtropics. Africa, the Nile Delta, Turkey, India, the East Indies, Southeast Asia, Philippines, Oceanic Islands, and parts of South America including the Caribbean Haiti (PubMed).

Syndromes

Lymphatic filariasis: many are asymptomatic, episodes of fevers and lymphadenitis lead to lymphatic obstruction and can progress of elephantiasis.

Treatment

A one time dose 200 μg of ivermectin per kilogram plus 6 mg of diethylcarbamazine per kilogram plus 400 mg of albendazole is the superior treatment with long term clearance "The three-drug regimen cleared microfilaremia in 55 of 57 participants (96%) at 12 months, in 52 of 54 participants (96%) at 24 months, and in 55 of 57 participants (96%) at 36 months (PubMed)."

Doxycycline improves edema independently of an effect on the parasite (PubMed).

Notes

Last Update: 11/19/18.