Smear For Filarial Parasite Microscopy Blood

Filarial worms are arthropod borne parasites residing in the lymphatic, subcutaneous and cutaneous tissues of man. The adult female filarial worm produces microfilariae, which are found in peripheral blood and skin. The symptoms of patients who harbor microfilariae vary with the genus and species of the filarial worm infection. Most common symptoms are high fever and chills which last 1-5 days before spontaneously subsiding. The most spectacular symptom of lymphatic filariasis is elephantiasis edema with thickening of the skin and underlying tissues which was the first disease discovered to be transmitted by mosquito bites. Elephantiasis results when the parasites lodge in the lymphatic system. Elephantiasis affects mainly the lower extremities, while the ears, mucous membranes, and amputation stumps are affected less frequently. However, different species of filarial worms tend to affect different parts of the body; Wuchereria bancrofti can affect the legs, arms, vulva, breasts, and scrotum (causing hydrocele formation), while Brugia timori rarely affects the genitals.citation needed Those who develop the chronic stages of elephantiasis are usually free from microfilariae (amicrofilaraemic), and often have adverse immunological reactions to the microfilariae, as well as the adult worms.