Wuchereria bancrofti: Unusual Presentation as Pancytopenia

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Hematology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Wuchereria bancrofti is a mosquito-borne filarial nematode causing lymphatic filariasis.
• Clinical presentations range from asymptomatic microfilaremia to severe lymphedema and elephantiasis.
• Diagnosis typically involves detecting microfilariae in peripheral blood.

Observation:

• Two cases of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae identified in bone marrow aspirates are presented.
• Patients exhibited peripheral pancytopenia without classical signs of lymphedema or elephantiasis.
• Microfilariae were diagnosed via cytology in bone marrow specimens.

Findings:

• Bone marrow microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti can manifest as peripheral pancytopenia.
• This presentation is rare and deviates from typical clinical manifestations of lymphatic filariasis.
• Cytology is a valuable tool for diagnosing microfilaria in unusual sites.

Implications:

• Highlights the diagnostic importance of bone marrow examination in cases of unexplained pancytopenia, especially in endemic areas.
• Suggests that Wuchereria bancrofti should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hematological abnormalities beyond classic lymphedema.
• Further research is needed to understand the pathological mechanisms linking microfilaria infection to hematological changes like pancytopenia.