One of the most common global causes of lymphedema is filariasis, an infection with nematode parasites, which are tiny worms; the most common species are: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori.

丝虫病是淋巴水肿在全球范围内最普遍的病因，为线虫类寄生虫的感染所致；最常见的物种有班氏吴策线虫、马来布鲁丝虫与帝汶布鲁丝虫。