Filariasis in body fluids: Report of three cases

Abstract

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.

Keywords

• Association with malignancy
• filariasis
• incidental
• Wuchereria