Microfilariae in association with other diseases. A report of six cases.
BACKGROUND
Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem in tropical countries. Earlier reports have reported microfilariae as an incidental finding in body fluids and fine needle aspiration smears from various sites.


METHODS
The findings of body fluid cytology and fine needle aspiration smears from six patients with microfilariae in association with other conditions--tubercular pleural effusion/lymphadenitis, pregnancy and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma--are presented. Three patients demonstrated an associated eosinophilic cellular exudate. Adherence of inflammatory cells to microfilariae was seen in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Although microfilariae in cytologic smears are considered incidental findings, the association of microfilariae with debilitating conditions suggests that it is an opportunistic infection and needs further study.
Gupta
Kumud
K
Departments of Pathology, Tuberculosis and Chest Medicine and of Medicine, Lala Ram Sarup Institute of Tuberculosis and Allied Diseases, New Delhi, India. gkumud@hotmail.com
Sehgal
Anjali
A
Puri
Man Mohan
MM
Sidhwa
Haresh Kumar
HK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000166:cytology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005368:Filariasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008199:Lymphadenitis / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology*