Incidental demonstration of filaria saved a child from pyrexia of unknown origin: Report of an interesting case

Abstract

Filariasis is endemic in tropical countries. Though commonly affects lymphatic system, the majority are asymptomatic and even amicrofilaremic, i.e. may not show microfilariae in blood. Uncommonly, filaria may affect other body tissues. Herein, we report a case where a 10-year-old boy form Orissa presented with pyrexia of unknown origin for 6 months. He had a moderate degree of pallor and lymphadenopathy. Blood examination showed moderate anemia and mild pancytopenia. Other blood tests, fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph node including radiological investigations were inconclusive. Bone marrow examination incidentally demonstrated microfilaria and adult worm was detected in lymph node biopsy. The boy recovered fully with antifilarial drug and hematinic.

Keywords

• Filaria
• incidental
• pyrexia of unknown origin