Studies on filariasis in the Pacific. 5. Brugia malayi filariasis in treated and untreated populations of South Borneo.

ABSTRACT

A blood survey employing membrane filter concentration (MFC) and examination of stained 20 c.mm thick blood films as diagnostic methods was carried out in Banjar Regency of South Borneo, an area of endemic B. malayi filariasis. In untreated populations the mf rate, as revealed by MFC, ranged from 23.2% for the 5-9 year old group to 43.7% for the greater than 50 year old group. For all age groups approximately one half of the microfilaraemias were of a low grade nature, diagnosed by MFC only. In a population that had been subjected to mass DEC administration 1 1/2 years prior to this survey, the MFC-diagnosed rate was 15%. Approximately two thirds of these infections were of very low density, the average density being 2.2 mf/ml.