Filariasis is a common cause of elephantiasis in Coastal Districts of India. The initial manifestations are repeated episodes of fever with chills and rigor, lymphadenopathy which gradually progress to elephantiasis. In India filarial infestation is commonly caused by W. bancrofti and Brugia malayi, the former responsible for almost 98 % of all cases.

DNA probes using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)test is of high specificity and sensitivity, and detects parasite DNA in humans as well as vectors in both bancroftian and brugian filariasis.