Cytodiagnosis of Filariasis – A Retrospective Study of 8 Years

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In India Filariasis is considered to be a majorpublic health problem. India constitutes about 20% of totalglobal burden. Microfilaria are released and circulate inthe peripheral blood with nocturnal periodicity. Due toits extremely rarity it is difficult to detect them in routineperipheral blood smears, Fine Needle Aspiration (FNAC)Smears and body fluids. The objective of our study was toemphasise on having a high index of suspicion of filarialinfection in any swelling especially in patients from endemiczones. This study also aims to highlight the importance ofFNAC as a cheap and effective tool to diagnose microfilaria.Material and Methods: A total of 9590 cases, with lesionsin different sites were encountered in this study.The patientsunderwent thorough clinical examination and routineinvestigations.The cystic lesions that were included in thisstudy were aspirated. The material centrifuged and smearsprepared were stained with Leishman-Giemsa and PAP stain.Results: In this study out of a total of 9590 cases of superficialswellings that were subjected to fine needle aspirationcytology, 11 cases of filariasis were diagnosed on routineFNAC material from various sites. Out of these11 cases,maximum cases of filariasis were reported in lymph nodes (3cases),breast swelling (2 cases), followed by scrotal swellings(2 cases), thyroid swellings (2 cases), parotid (1 case) andPleural (1 case).Conclusions: Filariasis is an uncommon condition and needa high index of suspicion and careful screen of FNA smearsespecially in asymptomatic patients belonging to endemiczones, so as not to miss this incidental finding especially inpatients from endemic areas. This study also highlights theimportance of FNAC as a cheap and effective tool to diagnosemicrofilaria.