The clinical picture of B. malayi infection is somewhat different than that of W. bancrofti . The symptoms of Brugian filariasis begin earlier than those of Bancroftian filariasis, often within a month or less. Immune responses to the worms quickly lead to lymphoedema and swelling of the legs is a prominent early symptom. Bouts of fever and lymphangitis are common and often more frequent than those found in patents infected with W. bancrofti . Unlike bancroftian infection the lyphoedema in the legs is below the knees and in the arms below the elbows.
Gross elephantiasis is very uncommon.