Elephantiasis is a complication commonly associated with which group of organisms?

• A. Cysticercosis
• B. Guinea worm
• C. Hydatid cyst disease
• D. Filariae

Answer: (D)

Elephantiasis results from lymphatic filariasis caused by filarial worms. These threadlike nematodes live in the lymphatic vessels, where their adults obstruct lymph flow and trigger progressive swelling and skin thickening in the extremities or genitals. Transmission occurs via mosquitoes, with microfilariae circulating in the blood and picked up by feeding mosquitoes, continuing the cycle. Because this condition stems from infection with filariae, that group of organisms is the one most commonly associated with elephantiasis. Other listed parasites cause different diseases (tapeworm larvae with cysticercosis, tapeworm-related hydatid cyst disease, or the nematode Dracunculus causing Guinea worm disease with skin ulcers), not the lymphatic obstruction characteristic of elephantiasis.