Circulating filarial antigen in serum and hydrocele fluid from individuals living in an endemic area for bancroftian filariasis

Abstract

This study examined circulating Þ larial antigen by monoclonal antibody Og4C3-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from 114 men with hydrocele, living in an endemic area. Nocturnal blood and hydrocele ß uid were collected and examined for microÞ laria. ELISA was performed on serum and hydrocele ß uid for detection of antigen. Amongst 114 cases, 5(4.4%) showed microÞ laria in blood but none in ß uid. ELISA was positive in 13(11.40%) serum and 5 (4.4%) ß uid samples. All Þ ve ß uid antigen positive cases were positive for antibodies and showed microÞ laria in blood. These Þ ndings emphasize the use of circulating Þ larial antigen detection and alternative usage of hydrocele ß uid for diagnosis of Þ lariasis.

Incidence of filariasis in clinically diagnosed primary vaginal hydrocele

“…The prevalence of microfilaremia was 3.3% in this study. These findings were consistent with the studies of Khandelwal et al, Shah et al, Goel et al and Singh et al 25,[27][28][29] Khandelwal et al retrospective study of clinically unexpected filariasis observed smears revealed microfilaria in 15 out of the 16 cases. Fragments of adult worms in 3 cases; and embryoid bodies in two cases, both these cases were from lymph node swelling.…”

“…In this study, anti-filarial antibody was detected in serum of 5 (8.3%) patients and out of these 5 patients, antifilarial antibody was detected in hydrocele fluid of 2 (3.3%) patients. This is similar to the studies of Goel et al, Singh et al, Shah et al, Rocha et al and Dandapat et al 25,[28][29][30][31] Goel et al study to assess the association between isolated non-communicable hydrocele and filariasis reported 14 patients, both filarial antigen and antibody was present in hydrocele fluid of three patients, and in only one of these was the fluid chylous. 25 Singh et al prospective, cross-sectional, observational study determining its prevalence among hydrocele patients in chronically infected cases found out of these 100 patients, 21 (21%) showed positive anti-filarial antibody test.…”

“…27 Shah et al study detected microfilaria in 4.4% of patients. 29 Goel et al study found microfilaria in only one out of 100 hydrocele patients. Since hydrocele is a manifestation of obstructive lymphangiopathy, the chances of detection of microfilaria in blood are quite less.…”

“…28 Shah et al study detected infection in 11.40% of hydrocele patients. 29 Rocha et al study reported a higher prevalence of filariasis among hydrocele patients. (34.6%).…”

Scope of detectability of circulating antigens of human lymphatic filarial parasite Wuchereria bancrofti with smaller amount of serum by Og4C3 assay: its application in lymphatic filariasis elimination programme

“…Recently we reported a protocol to carry out a battery of tests in monitoring several immunological and parasitological and molecular parameters (Hoti et al 2008). Antigen tests are more sensitive (Lammie et al 1994) and are used to assess the situation (Bal et al 2009;Das et al 2005;Melrose et al 2000;Nuchprayoon et al 2001;Shah and Mulla 2007;Steel and Ottesen 2001;Tisch et al 2001;Weerasooriya et al 2002) in different endemic countries. Antigen tests were also used to evaluate other methods of detection (Rocha et al 1996;Wattal et al 2007).…”