1.1 Pathogenesis of elephantiasis, and historical controversy as to on the role of bacterial infection Elephantiasis occurs in the chronic stage of lymphatic filariasis due to the obstruction of lymphatic vessels by filariae. After invasion into lymph vessels, third stage larvae grow to maturity in the lymphatic system, mainly in and around the genitourinary system. Amaral et al. (1994) [1] obs...