PMID: 15372761Sep 18, 2004Paper

The preferential site of adult Wuchereria bancrofti: an ultrasound study of male asymptomatic microfilaria carriers in Pondicherry, India

The National Medical Journal of India
G Subramanyam ReddyS P Pani

Abstract

The traditional method of detection of microfilaria in night blood specimens for the diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti infection is being replaced with circulating filarial antigen in day blood specimens, which has a high sensitivity. However, both methods are indirect tests to detect the presence of adult worms in vivo. Localization of adult worms in vivo in their natural habitat may help in understanding better the end-point of drug treatment, the adulticidal action of antifilarial drugs, and in locating the site of lymphatic pathology. We used ultrasound examination to assess the preferential location of adult worms in an area endemic for lymphatic filariasis. Ultrasound examination was done in 36 asymptomatic male carriers of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaria to detect the location of adult worms. Both sides of the scrotum (root of the scrotum, epididymis, spermatic cord, testis and the adjoining area), lymphatic vessels and inguinal, popliteal, axillary and epitrochlear lymph nodes were examined using a 7.5 MHz probe in real-time B mode. The 'filaria dance sign (FDS)' suggesting the presence of adult worms was observed in 22 carriers (61%). The preferential site of location of the adult worms was the intrascrotal juxtatest...Continue Reading

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