Investigation of Lymphatic Filariasis via Computational Modeling

Lymphatic filariasis is a disease caused by parasitic worm such as W. bancrofti, which lives and spreads between human and mosquitoes. The condition is prevalent in tropical countries, and its complication such as lymphedema affects millions worldwide. Although the filariasis-causing parasite can be treated, limited understanding of the interaction between lymphatic valve, vessel, and the parasite slows the effort to create an effective treatment for filariasis complications. To further investigate the parasite interaction with the lymphatic system, we present a fully-coupled, three-dimensional fluid-solid computational model that incorporates the parasite movement inside the lymphatic vessel. First, the parasite movement against various flow condition inside lymphatic system is simulated to investigate the mechanism behind worm’s ability to stay and navigate complex and constricting flow environment like the lymphatic system. Then, the parasite’s interaction with lymphatic valves is investigated under different worm and valve parameters, which helps to understand how the worm’s motion inside the lymphatic system may lead to valve damage and complications like lymphedema.