INCIDENTAL DETECTION OF MICROFILARIA IN CLINICALLY UNSUSPECTED PATIENTS: A STUDY OF 21 CASES.

Arya A; Agrawal R; Mohan N

Volume : VI, Issue : V, May - 2016

INCIDENTAL DETECTION OF MICROFILARIA IN CLINICALLY UNSUSPECTED PATIENTS: A STUDY OF 21 CASES.

Arya A, Agrawal R, Mohan N

Abstract :

Background: Filariasis is a vector borne disease and has been a major public health problem in India next only to malaria. Filariasis in India is caused by two closely related nematode worms–Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. Aim: To assess status of filariasis in clinically unsuspected cases in endemic areas. Materials and Methods: A total of 21 cases, with age ranging from 4–72 years, were included in the present study. All cases did not have any clinical evidence or suspicion of Filariasis. Results: Of the total 21 cases, filariasis was detected in the peripheral smear and bone marrow samples (7 cases), cytology (11 cases) and histopathology samples (3 cases). Out of 7 cases of microfilariasis in hematological samples, 4 cases were in peripheral smears, 2 cases in bone marrow and in 1 case of microfilaria were detected both in the peripheral smear as well as the bone marrow. In cytology out of 11 cases, 3 cases presented with subcutaneous swelling, 2 cases with thyroid swelling, 4 cases with east lump and 2 cases as lymphadenopathy. In histopathology out of 3 cases, 1 case was in the lymphnode and 2 cases in the epididymis. Eosinophilia was present in 16(76.2%) out of 21 cases in peripheral smear examined. Conclusions: Our study emphasized that keen search for parasites in every sample especially in endemic areas where patients present with fever, lump and with or without eosinophilia should always be done. This will help to diagnose patients in the acute phase of filariasis and to avoid the complication of the chronic phase besides starting the treatment as early as possible.