Estimation of different degrees of provocation by DEC (diethyl carbamazine citrate) medication in bancroftian filariasis in Vellore, Tamilnadu.

DEC in general has the power to bringout the filarial worms into the peripheral blood when administered. The provocative effect was observed in 86.8% of the mf positive cases. Optimum provocative effect was noticed in the age group above 12 years and there was no influence on sex. The maximum effect of provocation was seen at 60 min after the administration 2 mg/kg body weight DEC. The mf rate was high in the blood collected after the administration of DEC during day time, than that during night.