Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a groundbreaking genomic-based approach to combat lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis.

Lymphatic filariasis is a debilitating parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitos, resulting in painful and disfiguring symptoms such as limb swelling and skin thickening.

In 2022, around 325 million people received treatment for lymphatic filariasis as part of the World Health Organization's mass drug administration program aimed at eliminating the parasite.

The study, co-led by researchers Makedonka Mitreva and Peter Fischer, introduces a method to distinguish between reinfection after treatment and the reemergence of an infection that was not fully cleared.

This innovative genomic approach enhances genomic surveillance, allowing for better monitoring of whether ongoing transmission is due to treatment failure or the migration of humans or mosquitos.

The significant research findings have been published in the journal eBioMedicine, providing a valuable resource for further investigation into this public health issue.