Recent distribution and treatment of filarial chyluria in Japan

Since 1975 parasitism by the filarial worm has not existed in Japan. However, patients still present with filarial chyluria because the condition is one of the late manifestations of filariasis. From 1952 to 1973 renal pelvic instillation therapy, and surgical stripping and interruption of renal pedicle lymphatics were done in 217 and 383 patients, respectively, in the urology clinic of our and affiliated hospitals. Chyluria ceased immediately after instillation therapy in 129 of the 217 patients (59.4 per cent) but recurred in half of the cases. The short-term results of the surgical procedure were excellent. Chyluria ceased in 375 of the 383 patients (97.9 per cent) and diminished in 5 (1.3 per cent). Of 160 operated patients followed for more than 2 years recurrence of chyluria at contralateral and undetermined sites was observed in 41 (25.6 per cent).