How is elephantiasis diagnosed?

Blood test: Elephantiasis is a parasitic infection where tiny worms clog the bodies lymphatic ducts, causing massive swelling, deformity and disability. It is more common in less developed parts of the world. It is diagnosed by a combination of history, physical exam and, definitively, by identifying the worms in the blood.

Clinical: Elephantiasis is diagnosed by the appearance of the extremities that are affected by obstruction of the flow of lymph through the lymphatic system. Worldwide the most common cause of elephantiasis is the tropical parasitic nematode infection, filariasis. Filariasis can be diagnosed by identifying microfilariae on giemsa stained thick blood smears.