Prevalence of lymphatic filariasis in a tribal area of Maharashtra

Background: About 304 million persons are living in the known endemic areas and are exposed to the risk of filariasis. About 22 million persons are harboring microfilaria in their blood and 16 million persons show clinical manifestations. The objective of the study was to study the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis in a tribal area.Methods: A community based cross sectional study was carried out. Night blood smears were obtained between 9-11.30 pm by finger prick method and thick smears were prepared and usual staining procedure was performed. 451 people out of (enumerated) 565 could be covered excluding infants. Diethyl carbamazine (DEC) provocative test was performed the next day by administering 100 mg DEC orally and collecting blood sample after one hour with usual method. DEC could be administered to only 200 individuals in spite of utmost efforts to ensure cooperation.Results: Out of 451 persons examined, 20 (4.4%) were showing clinical manifestations. Overall microfilaria rate was 14.4%. Total endemicity rate was 17.3%. The lowest number of microfilaria was seen in 5 in 20 cumm of blood while the highest count was 78 in the 20 cumm of the blood. 13 smears (20%) showed that microfilaria count was in the range of 41-50. Maximum average infestation rate was 33.3 per 20 cumm of the blood. The most prominent clinical manifestation seen was hydrocele in males constituting 35% of the total clinical cases.Conclusions: The prevalence of filariasis in this tribal area was high. Mf rate was 14.4%. Endemicity rate was 17.3%. Hydrocele was the commonest clinical manifestation.

Sustained Release of Nanoformulation of Diethyl Carbamazine (Dec) for Filariasis – a Review

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), is a mosquito vector-borne disease and a major public health problem in the tropical countries. The annual mass drug administration (MDA) in India was studied in 1996-97. It was introduced with single dose of Diethylcarbamazine and was investigated as a pilot project covering 41millon population. The study was extended to 77million population by 2002. The MDA is one of the strategies to eliminate LF in India. Liposomes, polymeric and solid lipid nanoparticles are the most promising nanopharmaceuticals which are easy to formulate, cheaper and can bring prolific consequences for filariasis management.

MICROFILARIA IN PERICARDIAL EFFUSION COEXISTING WITH SPINDLE CELL THYMOMA-A RARE CASE REPORT

Lymphatic filariasis is common in tropical countries and is endemic in South India. Filariasis presenting with pericardial effusion is rare, coexisting with spindle cell thymoma is still very rare. We report a case of a 53-year-old male who was admitted to cardiac intensive care unit with severe breathless since two days. Cardiac Echocardiogram showed massive pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade and large anterior mediastinal mass. Pericardial fluid aspiration drained 1.5 litres of hemorrhagic fluid. Cytology examination revealed microfilaria of Wutchereria bancrofti. FNAC and trucut biopsy from anterior mediastinal mass showed features of spindle cell thymoma. He was treated with diethyl carbamazine thrice daily for one month. He refused for excision of thymoma. This case report is a rare coexistence of microfilaria in pericardial effusion with spindle cell thymoma. We stress the need to consider filariasis as differential diagnosis in the evaluation of hemorrhagic pericardial effusion especially in endemic areas.