Evaluation of the diethylcarbamazine provocative test in the diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti infections in the Nigerian savanna and the effects on Dipetalonema perstans

Abstract

Large scale filariasis surveys in rural areas for microfilaraemia, especially of periodic types such as Wuchereria bancrofti are known to cause considerable administrative, technical and social problems. The present investigation was carried out in the population of two villages in the Malumfashi district of the Northern Nigerian savanna. From the survey results, the sensitivity and specificity of two techniques-day-time diethylcarbamazine (DEC) provocative test by blood smear and concentration, and night-blood examination by smear and concentration especially for W. bancrofti-were assessed. Day-time DEC provocative test proved to be efficient in terms of sensitivity and specificity, compared with the night-blood method, for W. bancrofti detection but less so for Dipetalonema perstans, the other blood microfilaria found in this population during these studies. A regression line between night-blood survey results for W. bancrofti and the results from day-time DEC provocative test was calculated. With the help of this regression line it is possible to estimate W. bancrofti microfilarial prevalence for night surveys, using the DEC provocative test results of day-time surveys. This can be done with minimal, but known, loss of accuracy and incurs fewer administrative, technical and social difficulties.

Filariasis Control in Coastal Nigeria: Predictive Significance of Baseline Entomological Indices of Anopheles gambiae s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…A total of 39.7% of all collections were parous, and 0.3% were infective. Although lower than the 3.3% infective rate observed for A. gambiae in Malumfsshi, a savannah area of northern Nigeria about two and a half decades earlier [36], it is comparable with the 0.4% infected rate reported in Tanzanian study. is indicates that A. gambiae is probably a better vector in a Tanzanian area than in the Imo River Basin.…”

Case Report: Filaria or Megasperm? A Cause of an Ultrasonographic “Filarial Dance Sign”

“…The sensitivity of this daytime test was comparable with night blood examination. 7 This test should be avoided in patients at risk for co-infection with Onchocerca volvulus. Serology is limited by cross-reactivity with other helminths and is unable to distinguish past from current infection.…”

Filariasis Diagnosed by Real Time Sonographic Imaging as Filarial Dance Sign: A Case Report

“…But due to loss of accuracy, technical and social difficulties this method is not often practiced. 12 Day and night densities are highly correlated (r = 0.83), but the densities tend to be lower in the day blood following provocation than in the corresponding night blood, except in very light infections. 13 Serological tests are the tests of choice as markers of infection, but do not confirm existing infection.…”