A Case of Sepsis-induced MODS Section in Disseminated Filariasis: Cause or Co-incidence

Abstract

Filariasis, an affliction caused by thread-like filarial worms, poses a formidable health challenge in India, with diverse regional endemicities. It manifests in two distinct forms: lymphatic and extralymphatic. The former induces agonising limb swelling, while the latter, often overlooked due to its atypical presentation, can affect various organs. Here we, present a noteworthy case involving a 25-year-old woman who succumbed to septic shock, displaying Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS). The patient exhibited bicytopaenia, leukocytosis, and progressively deteriorating liver and kidney functions, culminating in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Postmortem examinations, conducted with proper consent, revealed sheathed microfilaria in liver and bone marrow tissues. This rare multisystem involvement in filariasis, leading to a fulminant course, raises questions about potential immunosuppression triggered by disseminated filarial dissemination. The hypothesis centres on the notion that the systemic spread of filaria might underlie the severe and rapid deterioration observed in this unique case, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of this parasitic disease and its implications for immune function.