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Microfilaria: not always associated with eosinophilia
Neha Garg1, Shilpi More1, Monika Sharma1
11 Resident, Department of Pathology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Tropical Doctor
|March 22, 2019
Summary
Filariasis, a tropical parasitic infection, can be detected in peripheral blood smears (PBS) even without elevated eosinophils. Routine screening of PBS tail ends aids in identifying asymptomatic cases of filariasis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Tropical Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Filariasis is a significant parasitic disease prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including India.
- Diagnosis often relies on identifying microfilariae in blood samples or tissue.
- Peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE) is a common indicator in unsuspected cases.
Observation:
- This report details two cases of microfilariae detected in peripheral blood smears (PBS).
- Notably, these cases presented without the typical peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE).
Findings:
- Microfilariae in PBS can be present even when eosinophil counts are normal.
- The absence of PBE does not rule out parasitaemia in filariasis.
Implications:
- Routine microscopic examination of the tail end of PBS at low power magnification is recommended.
- This practice may improve the detection rates of asymptomatic filariasis cases.
- Enhanced diagnostic vigilance is crucial for managing filariasis in endemic areas.
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