• Dermatitis in Elephants
• Hemorrhagic Filariasis Dermatitis of Elephants
• Stephanofilarial Dermatitis in Elephants

• Dipetalonema loxodonta (synonym Loxodontofilaria loxodontis) and Dipetalonema gossi. (B24, B455.w7)
• From Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant in Ceylon, microfilariae 262 to 275 µm long, probably Dipetalonema sp., detected from samples taken during daylight hours. (J3.89.w2)
• From Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant in Burma, microfilariae, unidentified, 180 µm long and 6 µm wide, slender and translucent, with four to twelve detected per smear of blood (blood collected during the daytime). (J326.5.w1)
• From Loxodonta africana - African Elephant in the Belgian Congo, Dipetalonema loxodontis (Loxodontofilaria loxodontis) (B24) microfilariae 180 - 200 µm long and 6.6 - 7.0 µm wide. (J327.32.w1)
• From Loxodonta africana - African Elephant in Uganda, microfilariae, described as Microfilaria loxodontis, were found in a high percentage of elephants. (J339.50.w1)
• From Loxodonta africana - African Elephant in Tanganyika Territory [Tanzania] Dipetalonema gossi (Loxodontofilaria gossi); females were described which were considered to be different from those of Dipetalonema (Loxodontofilaria) loxodontis. No microfilariae were described. (J3.89.w2, J327.32.w1)
• From Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant in north central Thailand (near Burma), microfilariae, sheathed, 160 µm long, 6 µm wide. (J11.42.w1)

• Dipetalonema loxodonta (Filariidae - (Family))
• Dipetalonema gossi (Filariidae - (Family))

• Microfilariae have been detected in the blood of elephants. (B24, B212.w29, B451.10.w10, J3.89.w2, J326.5.w1, J327.32.w1, J339.50.w1)
  • Microfilariae, described as Microfilaria loxodontis, were found in a high percentage of Loxodonta africana - African Elephant in Uganda; the highest incidence was in elephants 5-30 years of age; incidence was lower in individuals under five years or older than 30 years. (J339.50.w1)
• Microfilaria have been detected in the peripheral blood of Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant showing reduced ability to work (J11.42.w1), cauliflower-like growths on the lower limbs (J3.89.w2) and loss of condition. (J326.5.w1) However, it is unclear whether any of these clinical signs were associated with any of these organisms. (J3.89.w2, J11.42.w1, J326.5.w1)

Pathology

• Unidentified nematodes have been reported from the subcutaneous abdominal region of one Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant and from the heart chamber of another Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant. (J11.42.w1)
• Dipetalonema gossi (Loxodontofilaria goosi) females were described from individuals found probably in the peritoneal cavity of two Loxodonta africana - African Elephant in Tanganyika Territory [Tanzania]. (J327.32.w1)
• Dipetalonema (Loxodontofilaria) loxodontis females were described, collected from subcutaneous connective tissues at the post mortem examination of a Loxodonta africana - African Elephant from the Belgian Congo. (J327.32.w1)
• Dipetalonema gossi were found associated with hepatic lesions in Loxodonta africana - African Elephant.  (J62.38.w2)

Histopathology

• Early lesions in the liver of Loxodonta africana - African Elephant with Dipetalonema gossi infection were described as fibrinous thrombosis and eosinophilic inflammation, affecting all layers of the walls (but particularly the intima) of portal veins and of some central and hepatic veins. Later changes included smooth muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia, fibrosis and cellular infiltration, resulting in villous and polypoid proliferations of the intima and thickening of the vessel walls. Organised thrombi in the walls and areas of lymphoid proliferation were also noted. Dead and partially calcified nematodes were found in some lesions. Additionally, there was an eosinophilic or mixed cell inflammation of portal triads and the surrounding parenchyma, and in some individuals, suspected migratory tracts, which were surrounded by eosinophilic infiltrates and granulomas and contained amorphous necrotic debris. (J62.38.w2)

• In one study in Ceylon, microfilariae were detected in the blood of seven out of 22 Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant. (J3.89.w2)
  • Infection was considered to be heavy in some individuals (three to five microfilariae per 0.15 mL of blood) and in others light (one microfilaria per 0.15 mL blood). (J3.89.w2)
• In Thailand, it was noted that microfilariae had been observed "repeatedly" in the blood of Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant. (J11.42.w1)

Regions/Countries where the infection has been reported:

• Ceylon, in Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant, microfilariae 262 to 275 µm long, probably Dipetalonema sp.. (J3.89.w2)
• Burma, in Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant, microfilariae, unidentified, 180 µm long and 6 µm wide, slender and translucent. (J326.5.w1)
• Belgian Congo, in Loxodonta africana - African Elephant, Dipetalonema loxodontis (Loxodontofilaria loxodontis) (B24) with microfilariae 180 - 200 µm long and 6.6 - 7.0 µm wide. (J327.32.w1)
• Tanganyika Territory [Tanzania], in Loxodonta africana - African Elephant, Dipetalonema goosi (Loxodontofilaria goosi); females were described which were considered to be different from those of Dipetalonema (Loxodontofilaria) loxodontis. No microfilariae were described. (J3.89.w2, J327.32.w1)
• Thailand (north-central, near Burma), in Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant, microfilariae, sheathed, 160 µm long, 6 µm wide. (J11.42.w1)

• History & Documentation
• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Treatment and Care - General
• Environmental Assessment
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

• Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant
• Loxodonta africana - African Elephant

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this disease)