Filarial abscess in the submandibular region.

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Case Reports

Background:

• Filariasis, a parasitic disease caused by nematode worms, typically affects subcutaneous and lymphatic tissues, commonly impacting the lower limbs, retroperitoneal tissues, spermatic cord, and epididymis.
• Oral or perioral manifestations of filarial nematode infections are infrequently documented in medical literature.

Observation:

• This report presents an unusual case of a filarial abscess located in the right submandibular region.
• Fine needle aspiration cytology of the abscess definitively identified microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti.

Findings:

• Microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti were detected in both the submandibular abscess aspirate and the patient's peripheral blood smear.
• The presence of filarial infection in the orofacial region represents a rare clinical presentation.

Implications:

• Filarial infection in the orofacial region can present a diagnostic challenge, potentially mimicking other conditions.
• Clinicians should consider filariasis in the differential diagnosis for recalcitrant orofacial abscesses, particularly in individuals from endemic geographical areas.