Filariasis (elephantiasis) is caused by

1. syllabus names Wuchereria (W. bancrofti and W. malayi) as filarial worms. 2. They cause chronic inflammation of lymphatic vessels — filariasis / elephantiasis. 3. Genital organs are often affected, resulting in gross deformities. 4. Transmitted by the bite of a female mosquito vector. _Source: syllabus Biology, Ch 7 "Human Health and Disease", §7.1_