Case Of Microfilaria Research Articles

Cytological diagnosis of microfilariae in clinically unsuspected cases: A retrospective review of 12 cases.

Filariasis is a major health problem in India. Despite the high prevalence, microfilariae are rarely found in cytology smears. Most of the cases are incidentally found, solely or in association with other pathologies. This study was undertaken to analyse the prevalence and cytological findings of cases of incidentally found microfilariae in cytology smears (fine needle aspiration cytology [FNAC]/exfoliative cytology) from different parts of the body. This was a retrospective study over 3years, in which cases of microfilariae in aspirates from swelling of different locations, body fluids, and pap smears were reviewed, and the clinicopathological data analysed. Out of 11 530 cases of FNAC, 8700 cases of fluid cytology, and 9000 of conventional cervicovaginal smears, 12 cases (0.04%) of incidental findings of microfilariae were documented in cytology smears. The cases were diagnosed from lymph node (one case), hand (one case), scrotal area (one case), axilla (one case), breast (one case), subcutaneous tissue (three cases), urine (three cases), and Pap smear (one case). We found eosinophilia in one case (8.3%) of filarial lesions. We found two cases of incidental findings of microfilariae in association with malignant lesions. Cytology smear examination can play an important role in diagnosing occult filariasis in clinically unsuspected cases in association with other pathologies.

Cytopathological diagnosis of filariasis by fine-needle aspiration cytology in different body locations: A retrospective study of 5 years in central India

Background: Filariasis is one of the common health problems in tropical countries. The parasite causing the disease primarily resides in lymphatic channels or lymph nodes. It can remain viable in these places for decades. The clinical presentation may vary from superficial palpable swelling to pain and erythema. The cytopathological diagnosis of microfilaria on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) helps in prompt recognition of the disease. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the presence of microfilariae (MF) diagnosed on FNAC from different body locations based on clinicopathological data and cytopatholgical features. Methods: It was a retrospective observational study in which cases of MF over last 5 years which were diagnosed on FNAC were analyzed. Results: Of 34069 cases of FNAC and 45623 cases of fluid cytology, 27 cases (0.033%) of filariasis were diagnosed on cytopathology smears. The various sites included the skin and soft tissue (8 cases), lymph node (6 cases), breast (5 cases), pleural fluid (4 cases), scrotal swelling (3 cases), and thyroid gland (1 case). Eosinophilia was found in 18 cases (66.67%). The background showed inflammatory infiltrate in 17 cases (62.96%), while florid reactive mesothelial hyperplasia was seen in 2 cases (7.4%). We found 4 cases (14.81%) of incidental malignancies along with MF (3 breast and 1 pleural fluid). Conclusion: Although rare, filariasis should always be suspected as a differential diagnosis of FNAC in different body location swellings. A careful attitude while screening cytopathological smears helps to diagnose MF even in asymptomatic cases.

Microfilaria in achylous hematuria: Can it imitate urolithiasis?

Wuchereria bancrofti is the major species resulting in filarial cases in India. Filariasis may present with various clinical presentations: asymptomatic, microfilaremia, lymphedema, acute adenolymphangitis and chronic lymphatic disease. Microfilariae of W. bancrofti have been detected in various clinical samples, but incidental detection of microfilaria in achylous urine is a rare finding with unexplained pathology. We report a case of microfilaria in achylous urine of a 30-year-old female who presented with pain abdomen and ureteric calculus on ultrasonography.

Incidental Detection of Microfilaria in Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology- A Report of Three Cases

Lymphatic filariasis, a major global health problem, is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease, encountered mainly in the tropics and subtropics. The disease is endemic in Southeast Asia, including the Indian subcontinent. It is transmitted by mosquitoes and is caused by the filarial nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori. Usually, the infected person remains asymptomatic for years together and later manifests with features and consequences of lymphatic obstruction. The adult forms of the nematodes live in human lymphatics, whereas the infective larval form, the microfilaria circulates in the peripheral blood. The nocturnal periodicity of the microfilaria makes it challenging to detect in routine peripheral blood smear examinations. Also, it is quite unusual to find the microfilaria in fine needle aspirations. However, rare cases have been reported in certain unusual sites, like lymph nodes, cutaneous swellings, bone marrow, bronchial aspirate, breast, nipple discharge, cervicovaginal smears, pleural, pericardial, ascitic fluids, ovarian cyst fluids or even thyroid. Very few cases of microfilaria in thyroid aspirates have been reported till date. Also, it is unusual to find microfilaria in lymph node and breast aspirations. Herewith, three cases of microfilariasis are reported at three uncommon sites like thyroid, lymph node and breast.

Incidental detection of microfilaria in various autopsy specimens: A study at tertiary care hospital

Background: Autopsy examinations are necessary to rule out cause of death, and simultaneously, it also detects incidental pathologies which might not be a leading cause of death. Till date, no one has reported autopsy examination utility for the detection of microfilaria burden. In this retrospective study, we analyzed cases with incidental finding of asymptomatic cases of microfilaria. Objectives: Our main aim was to highlight its burden within the region of South Gujarat where filariasis is endemic despite various government programs to control and eradicate it. Materials and Methods: We have analyzed the autopsy reporting data during the period of January 2013–December 2013 from a tertiary care hospital of South Gujarat. Along with tissue section, we also processed blood clot from heart chambers for microscopic examination to confirm diagnosis. Results: A total of 19 cases of 607 autopsy cases showed the presence of microfilaria in various organs such as heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, and brain without any tissue reaction. All sections from blood clot showed the presence of circulating microfilaria in positive cases. Among all organ sections, we were able to get it most commonly in the heart interstitial spaces in majority of the cases. Conclusion: This study showed 3.1% prevalence of asymptomatic circulating microfilaria cases. This can be one of the ways to measure the prevalence of microfilaria in endemic regions as routine screening and diagnostic procedure has their known limitations. The technique to find microfilaria can be also strengthened by microscopic examination of blood clot from heart chamber or heart auricles.

Cytological findings of microfilariae in different sites: A retrospective review of 22 cases from endemic region.

Background:Filariasis is a major health problem in India. Despite the high prevalence, microfilariae are rarely found in cytology smears. Most of the cases are incidentally found, solely or in association with other pathologies.Aims and Objectives:The study was undertaken to analyze the prevalence and cytology findings of cases of incidentally found microfilariae in cytology smears (fine-needle aspiration cytology [FNAC]/body fluids) from different body parts.Materials and Methods:This was a retrospective study over 5 years, where the cases of microfilariae in aspirates from swelling of different locations and body fluids were reviewed, and clinic-pathological data were analyzed.Results and Analysis:Out of 16,738 cases of FNAC and 882 cases of fluid cytology, 22 cases (0.124%) of incidental finding of microfilaria were documented in cytology smears. The cases were diagnosed from lymph nodes (5 cases), skin and soft tissue (4 cases), scrotal (4 cases), breast (3 cases), thyroid (2 cases), and pleural fluid (2 cases). We found eosinophilia in 15 cases (68.18%) of filarial lesions. We found two cases of incidental findings of microfilariae in association with malignant lesions.Conclusion:Filariasis should be considered as differential diagnosis of swelling of lymph nodes, skin, soft tissue, inguinoscrotal region, and other sites as well. Careful screening of cytology smears may help in detection of incidental cases in the association of other pathologies.

Filariasis in body fluids: Report of three cases

Filariasis is disabling parasitic disease which is prevalent worldwide and caused by various species of filarial organism. Wuchereria bancrofti (W. Bancrofti) is responsible for 90% of cases of filariasis and is found throughout the tropics and in some sub-tropical areas. Cytology has an important role in the diagnosis of subclinical filariasis. Microfilaria is frequently detected in association with neoplasm, although the role in tumorogenesis is controversial. The early detection of the disease could thus mean the difference between a productive healthy life and a lifetime of chronic disability. The identification of microfilaria in body fluids is a rare scenario. We are presenting here with three cases of microfilaria, which was detected in the pleural fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage, pericardial fluid, and in semen with different clinical scenarios. The purpose of this paper was to illustrate these examples and to review the appropriate literature in order to make physicians aware of this uncommon entity.

A rare case of microfilaria in thyroid aspirate

Filariasis is a major health problem in the Indian Subcontinent. Due to its nocturnal periodicity it may be difficult even to demonstrate in the blood. In heavy parasitic load they may appear in the blood, urine with chyle and at times in scrotal aspirates. It is very rare and unusual to find microfilaria in thyroid aspirate. This case report of presence of microfilaria in thyroid aspirate suggest that careful screening is important for thyroid lesions as patients may present with thyroid enlargement other than usual thyroid lesions.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v13i1.14217 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 13 No. 01 January2014: 99-100

Microfilaria in forearm swelling aspirate: An unusual finding

Filariasis is a major public health problem in tropical countries, including India. The disease is endemic all over India, especially in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat. A majority of infected individuals in filarial endemic communities are asymptomatic. Adult worms live in the lymphatic vessels of the definitive host and microfilaria is released and circulates in the peripheral blood. Cases of microfilaremia have been reported from atypical sites such as thyroid, lymph node, pleural and pericardial fluid, breast lump, and bone marrow. We here present a case of microfilaria in the forearm swelling found on fine-needle aspiration cytology, which is an unusual finding.

Microfilaria in lymph node mimicking Kimura disease

In tropical and subtropical countries, parasitic infections are very rampant causing peripheral blood and or tissue eosinophilia. Here, a case of microfilaria in lymph node that produced intense eosinophil infiltrate is being reported. The dense eosinophil collection in the lymph node raised a possibility of Kimura's disease because no worms were seen in the initial sectioning of the tissue. Extensive sampling and diligent search revealed sections of microfilaria embedded in the eosinophil abscess along with foreign body giant cell reaction to its sheath material, leading to the correct diagnosis of this case.

Microfilaria in liver aspiration cytology: An extremely rare finding

Filariasis is a common public health problem in the Indian subcontinent. The diagnosis can be made conventionally by demonstrating microfilaria in peripheral blood smears. Despite its high incidence it is unusual to find microfilariae in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology smears. Microfilariae have been reported in cytological specimens of various organs, but it is extremely rare to find microfilaria in fine FNA cytology of liver. We report seventh case of microfilaria in liver aspirate in a male patient suffering from gallbladder cancer.

Microfilaria in thyroid gland nodule

Presence of microfilaria in the thyroid gland is a rare finding. Filariasis is a common public health problem in the Indian sub-continent. Most of the cases of microfilaria in thyroid gland reported in the literature are associated with goiter and thyroid neoplasms. Here, we present a rare case that showed microfilaria on fine needle aspiration cytology of solitary thyroid nodule.