• Stephanofilarial Dermatitis in Elephants
• Filariasis of Elephants

• The adult females have been described as "creamy white, slender and 29 mm long with a maximum thickness of 0.765 mm. The body tapers towards both ends, more strongly posteriorly and the terminations are bluntly rounded." (J12.36.w1) In the proximal uterus, embryonic larvae are present coiled inside a thin egg shell while in the distal portion extended larvae are found, 0.137 - 0.160 mm long and 0.007  to 0.008 mm wide, with truncate anterior ends. (J12.36.w1)
• Microfilaria found in the blood (from lesions, and occasionally in the peripheral circulation) "are unsheathed and measure 0.171 - 0.255 x 0.008 - 0.011 mm with an average size of 0.197 x 0.009 mm." (J12.36.w1)

• Indofilaria pattabiramani (Filariidae - (Family))

Clinical signs:

• Skin lesions, most commonly found on the abdominal sides and ventral abdomen, less commonly on the neck, the chest and the outer side of the thigh. (J12.36.w1, P64.1.w3, P502.1.w13)
• Lesions consist of slightly raised circumscribed nodules, 1.0-2.0 cm diameter and about 1.0 cm thick, appearing at the rate of four to 10 nodules per day. (J12.36.w1)
  • On one elephant, 270 nodules were detected on the skin over a six week period. (J12.36.w1)
  • Nodules have been described as slightly bulging. (P502.1.w13)
• Fresh nodules are soft. (J12.36.w1)
• There is no pruritis. (J12.36.w1)
• The nodules burst and bleed. (P502.1.w13)
  • One to two days after the nodule appears, an opening develops in the centre and blood oozes out, in slow drops, for about 15 to 30 minutes, resulting in a total blood loss of about 5.0 to 10 ml per nodule, until the blood clots and plugs the opening. (J12.36.w1)
  • Blood oozes about every 10 seconds for about 30 minutes then stops. (P64.1.w3)
  • Bleeding occurs in the hottest part of the day. (J12.36.w1) In the morning only. (P64.1.w3)
  • The elephant does not show signs of pain if the bleeding nodule is pressed. (J12.36.w1)
• Old nodules are hard (fibrosed) and may persist for years. (J12.36.w1)

Duration:

• An individual elephant may be affected for a prolonged period; three years and eight months has been observed. (J12.36.w1)

• Most cases are detected in October to April, but bleeding lesions may be found year round. (J12.36.w1)

Susceptibility:

• Age: Elephants of all ages from seven to 28 years old have been found affected. (J12.36.w1)
• Sex: Both males and females are affected equally. (J12.36.w1)

Diagnosis:

• Unsheathed microfilariae are present in the blood oozing from the nodules. (J12.36.w1, P502.1.w13)
  • Note: The microfilaria are found only rarely in the peripheral circulation. (J12.36.w1)
• Adult (female) worms have been be found by incision of a fresh bleeding nodule. (J12.36.w1)

Treatment:

• Thiabendazole has been suggested as a possible treatment. (B10.49.w21)

• 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
• Medicating Elephants

• Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant

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