Question

Elephantiasis is caused by:
(a)Ascaris
(b)Pinworm
(c)Filarial worms
(d)Hookworm

Answer 1

Hint: Elephantiasis is also called Filariasis is a rare disease that spreads through mosquitoes. The person affected by this disease has his arms and legs swelled up massively. The disease is more common in tropical and subtropical parts of the world.

Complete answer:
Wuchereria bancrofti and Wuchereria malayi are filarial worms that cause a slow-developing chronic inflammation of the organs in which they live for many years, usually, the lymphatic vessels of the lower limbs, and the disease are called elephantiasis in filariasis.
These genital organs are affected which results in gross deformities. These pathogens are transmitted to a healthy person through the bite by the female mosquito vectors.

Additional Information: Ascaris lumbricoides, the common roundworm is another helminth that is pathogenic to humans. Ascaris is an intestinal parasite that causes Ascariasis. The symptoms of this disease include internal bleeding, muscular pain, fever, anemia, and blockage of the intestinal passage. The eggs of the parasite are excreted along with the feces of infected persons which contaminate soil, water, plants, etc. A healthy person acquires the infection through contaminated water, fruits, vegetables, etc.
Pinworm is a parasite that causes pinworm infection, also called Enterobiasis in humans. The most common symptom is itching in the anal area.
Hookworms are intestinal, blood-feeding, parasitic roundworms that cause helminthiases. The countries with poor access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene are prone to this infection. The infections are caused by two main species Ancylostoma and Necator.
So, the correct answer is ‘Filarial worms’.

Note: Ascaris and Wuchereria both are helminths and are pathogenic to man. Ascaris should not be confused with Wuchereria. Ascaris causes ascaris and Wuchereria (Filarial worm) causes filariasis.