Transfusional Mansonella perstans microfilariasis.
Mansonella perstans filariasis is widely distributed across the center of Africa and equatorial America. We describe a case of post-transfusional M. perstans microfilariasis in a young child, affected with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria, admitted in Goundi Hospital in South of Chad. A decrease of M. perstans microfilariasis in the patient's blood was observed, with no subsequent development of either clinical symptoms or eosinophilia. We suggest that, in endemic areas, transfused M. perstans microfilariae may be cleared from the blood over relatively short periods of time. It is likely that only adult worms are responsible for symptoms and eosinophilia, whereas microfilariae in the bloodstream are unable to give clinical manifestations.
Bregani
E R
ER
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Milan, Italy. rino_bregani@yahoo.it
Balzarini
L
L
Ghiringhelli
C
C
Tarsia
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001782:Blood Donors; D002353:Carrier State / Q000469:parasitology*; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008366:Mansonella / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008368:Mansonelliasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D008463:Mebendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D011803:Quinine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D000962:Antimalarials; D008463:Mebendazole; D011803:Quinine; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine