The key difference between filariasis and elephantiasis is that filariasis is a parasitic disease caused due to an infection with roundworms of superfamily Filarioidea, while elephantiasis is a chronic disease of enlargement and hardening of the limbs or body parts caused by infectious and non-infectious causes.
Filariasis happens due to an infection by a roundworm that spreads through black flies. There are several types of this disease: lymphatic filariasis, subcutaneous filariasis, and serous cavity filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis in chronic states leads to the syndrome of elephantiasis. Elephantiasis is characterized by the enlargement and hardening of limbs or body parts. Elephantiasis can occur due to different reasons such as chronic lymphangitis, filarial nematode infection, immune system disease, leishmaniasis, breast cancer, sexually transmitted disease, genetic disorder, streptococcal infection, hereditary birth defects, etc.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Filariasis
3. What is Elephantiasis
4. Similarities – Filariasis and Elephantiasis
5. Filariasis vs Elephantiasis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Filariasis vs Elephantiasis
What is Filariasis?
Filariasis is a parasitic disease that is caused due to an infection with roundworms of superfamily Filarioidea. These nematodes are spread by blood-feeding insects like black flies and mosquitoes. These parasites can be identified in wild subtropical parts of southern Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, and parts of South America. It is not present in Northern Hemisphere, in countries like Europe or the US. Eight filarial worms have humans as their definitive host. These worms are divided into three major groups according to the part of the body they affect.
Figure 01: Filariasis
Lymphatic filariasis is caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. Lymphatic filariasis in chronic states leads to elephantiasis. Subcutaneous filariasis is caused by Loa loa (eye worm), Mansonella streptocerca, and Onchocerca volvulus. These worms occupy the layer under the skin. L. Loa causes filariasis, while O. Volvulus causes river blindness. Moreover, serous cavity filariasis is caused by Mansonella perstans and Mansonella ozzardi. These worms occupy the serous cavity of the abdomen.
The main symptom of lymphatic filariasis is elephantiasis in the lower extremities, while ears, mucous membranes, and amputation stumps are less affected frequently. Subcutaneous worms can cause rashes, urticarial papules, arthritis, hyper and hypopigmentation macules. Serous cavity filariasis may cause abdominal pain. Filariasis is normally diagnosed by identifying microfilariae on Giemsa stained, thin, and thick blood film smears using the gold standard finger prick test. In addition to the PCR test, antigenic assays, medical imaging such as CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, and DEC provocation tests can also be used. Furthermore, the treatment for this condition may include albendazole combined with ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine combined with albendazole. The antibiotic doxycycline is suggested for elephantiasis.
What is Elephantiasis?
Elephantiasis is a chronic disease of enlargement and hardening of the limbs or body parts due to tissue swelling that is caused by infectious and non-infectious causes. Elephantiasis can be caused due to different reasons such as chronic lymphangitis, filarial nematode infection, immune system disease, leishmaniasis, breast cancer, sexually transmitted disease, genetic disorder, streptococcal infection, lymphadenectomy, hereditary birth defects, and pretibial myxedema.
Figure 02: Elephantiasis
The symptoms of this condition may include swelling of legs, genitals, breasts, and arms. The skin is also affected, such as dry, thick, ulcerated, darker, and pitted skin. Moreover, some people may experience fever, chills, and secondary infections. This condition can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, blood test, X-ray, and ultrasounds. Furthermore, elephantiasis can be treated with antiparasitic drugs, doxycycline, medications for underline conditions, surgeries like reconstructive surgery, surgery to remove lymphatic tissues, emotional support, and psychological support.
What are the Similarities Between Filariasis and Elephantiasis?
- Filariasis and elephantiasis are two diseases that have some connection between them due to parasitic infection.
- Lymphatic filariasis in the chronic state leads to the syndrome of elephantiasis.
- Both diseases can be treated with antiparasitic drugs if the causative agent is a parasite.
- Both diseases are very common in tropical and subtropical regions in the world.
What is the Difference Between Filariasis and Elephantiasis?
Filariasis is a parasitic disease that is caused due to an infection with roundworms of superfamily Filarioidea, while elephantiasis is a chronic disease of enlargement and hardening of the limbs or body parts due to tissue swelling that is caused by infectious and non-infectious causes. Thus, this is the key difference between filariasis and elephantiasis. Furthermore, filarial has symptoms like enlargement in lower extremities, rashes, urticarial papules, arthritis, hyper and hypopigmentation macules, river blindness, and abdominal pain. On the other hand, the symptoms of elephantiasis include swelling of legs, genitals, breasts, and arms, affected skin like dry, thick, ulcerated, darker and pitted skin, fever, chills, and secondary infections.
The below infographic presents the differences between filariasis and elephantiasis in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Filariasis vs Elephantiasis
Filariasis and elephantiasis are two tropical diseases. Filariasis is a parasitic disease that is caused due to an infection with roundworms of superfamily Filarioidea, while elephantiasis is a chronic disease of enlargement and hardening of the limbs or body parts due to tissue swelling that is caused by infectious and non-infectious causes. So, this summarizes the difference between filariasis and elephantiasis.
Reference:
1. Newman, Thomas E. “Filariasis.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, 11 Aug. 2021.
2. Bandoim, Lana. “Elephantiasis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 16 Apr. 2019.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Filariasis 01” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Another case of elephantiasis.” By tim kubacki (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr