Detection of anti-filarial antibody among hydrocele patients living in an endemic area for filariasis

Abstract

Background:The knowledge of the current prevalence of lymphatic filariasis and its transmission will be helpful in its elimination. Thus, the present study is aimed to determine its prevalence among hydrocele patients which is a common presentation in chronically infected cases.Materials and Methods:One hundred patients suffering from hydrocele admitted to the surgical ward were included in the study. Blood samples were collected from the patients during the day hours for the detection of anti-filarial antibody and during night hours to detect the presence of microfilaria by smear examination. Blood samples were also collected from the family member attending the ward along with the patients to determine the presence of anti-filarial antibodies. Serum IgE level and eosinophil count were also determined in the patients showing a positive result for the anti-filarial antibody test.Results:Out of 100 hydrocele patients, 21% patients showed anti-filarial antibody card test positive with maximum patients belonging to age group of 20–40 years. Microfilaria was detected in 5% of the hydrocele patients, whereas none of the family members showed positive anti-filarial antibody test. Serum IgE level and eosinophil count were more than 1000 ng/ml and 500/mm3, respectively.Conclusions:The study has found a high prevalence of filariasis among hydrocele patients. It is suggested that more studies are needed to know the real time prevalence of the cases showing manifestations of the filariasis in the acute stage which will help the eradication program to formulate new strategies.

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.…”

“…There was significant association of anti-filarial antibody and peripheral blood smear findings as per Chi-square test (p<0.05). This is in concordance to the studies of Goel et al and Singh et al 25,28 Goel et al study to assess the association between isolated non-communicable hydrocele and filariasis showed that out of 14 cases who were positive for serum anti-filarial antibody, microfilaria was positive in peripheral smear of only one patient. 25 Singh et al prospective, cross-sectional, observational study determining its prevalence among hydrocele patients in chronically infected cases observed microfilaremia detected by peripheral blood smear examination showed that out of 21 anti-filarial antibody positive patients, 5 (23.8%) patients showed microfilaria in their blood.…”

“…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.…”

“…IgG antibody were also found in all the patients tested positive for IgM antibody test. 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.…”

“…25 Singh et al prospective, cross-sectional, observational study determining its prevalence among hydrocele patients in chronically infected cases observed microfilaremia detected by peripheral blood smear examination showed that out of 21 anti-filarial antibody positive patients, 5 (23.8%) patients showed microfilaria in their blood. 28…”