THE DISEASE

Lymphatic filariasis is caused by three species of blood / tissue worms: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. One hundred and twenty million people in 83 countries of the world are infected with lymphatic filarial parasites, and it is estimated that more than 1 billion (20% of the world's population) are at risk of acquiring infection. Ninety percent of these infections are caused by Wuchereria bancrofti (http://www.filariasis.org)

The disease is transmitted by several species of mosquitoes. Infective larvae from the mosquitoes enter the human body after the mosquito bite. The larvae then travel to lymphatic channels and lymph nodes and develop into adult worms.

Infection with Wuchereria bancrofti will result in symptoms and manifestations that may include recurrent fever, lymphatic damage, renal damage, adenolymphangitis, lymphoedema, elephantiasis and pulmonary disease.

A specific recombinant filarial gene has been expressed, purified and incorporated into an immunochromatography-based rapid test in a cassette format called WBrapid™ for the detection of specific IgG4 to Wuchereria brancrofti.

Procedures...