Question

Filariasis is also known as elephantiasis because of

• A. Infection from elephants
• B. Elephants are secondary hosts
• C. Excessive enlargement of body parts like legs
• D. Excessive enlargement of teeth

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Excessive enlargement of body parts like legs

Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by an infection with roundworms such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. These worms occupy the lymphatic system, including the lymph nodes. Elephantiasis results when the parasites lodge in the lymphatic system and it mainly affects the lower extremities. Elephantiasis is the enlargement and hardening of limbs or body parts due to tissue swelling. It is characterised by oedema, hypertrophy, and fibrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, due to obstruction of lymphatic vessels. So, the correct answer is 'Excessive enlargement of body parts such as leg'.