Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with microfilaria: a rare coincidence in bone marrow aspirate

Microfilariae in bone marrow aspirates have been reported occasionally, but until now no case has been reported in association with acute leukaemia. This is a unique finding, not mentioned in literature. Microfilariae are seen mainly in peripheral blood smears (PBS) and rarely in bone marrow aspirate, but this surprisingly did not show any parasite in PBS. Meticulous examination of bone marrow smears revealed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and a few interspersed microfilariae. This rare combination, reported for the first time, definitely needs a space in literature.