Lymphographic changes in cats with filariasis

Abstract

Chronological lymphographic studies on 24 cats experimentally infected with a strain of Brugia pahangi revealed marked changes in the diseased lymphatics and nodes, which were detectable as early as the 15th day after infection, 8 uninfected cats were used as control. Significant findings were: (1) Marked nodal enlargement with occasionally visible filling defects, (2) Lymphatic dilatation—sometimes as much as 5 times as wide as the corresponding lymphatics in the uninfected limb, (3) Tortuosity of the dilated lymphatics, (4) Leakage of the contrast medium from the diseased lymphatics. Follow-up X-rays showed stasis of contrast medium in the affected lymphatics in some cats for as long as 6 weeks after lymphography. In selected cats that were autopsied, filarial worms were found in transverse and longitudinal sections of those lymphatics and nodes shown on lymphography to be diseased. These studies indicate that in endemic filarial areas it may be possible to detect early lymphatic involvement by lymphography which would then enable effective treatment of the patients, before the distressing and irreversible sequelae of filarial disease—chronic lymphoedema and elephantiasis—occur.