Coexistence of carcinoma of the breast with microfilariasis

Microfilaria Infection in Metastatic Node in a Case of Breast Carcinoma

Filariasis is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries such as India. It is caused by nematodes, principally Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi and is transmitted by the Culex mosquito. W.bancrofti accounts for 90% of cases of lymphatic filariasis. Filaria of the breast with axillary lymphadenopathy and lymphedema, mimicking breast carcinoma has been previously reported. Microfilariae have also been previously observed as coincidental findings with various inflammatory and neoplastic lesions. Few examples are hemangiomas of the liver, meningiomas, intracranial hemangioblastomas, uterine cervix, pharyngeal, urinary bladder, preputial and metastatic carcinomas, melanomas, and leukemia.Here, we report an unusual case of filarial infection of a metastatic axillary node in a case of invasive breast carcinoma, observed in a modified radical mastectomy specimen. Previous cases reported in literature have reported microfilaria in metastatic axillary node detected on cytology specimens; histological diagnosis, though reported, is rare.

Incidental detection of microfilariae in aspirates from Ewing's sarcoma of bone

Microfilariae have been reported as coincidental findings with various neoplasms. We present a case in which microfilariae were encountered in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) smears from a 10-yr-old boy who presented with a lytic lesion in the diaphysis of the right tibial bone. Stained aspirates from the swelling were composed of a dispersed population of small round cells with scanty to vacuolated cytoplasm. Two sheathed microfilariae with several nuclei and cephalic and caudal clearing were identified. A diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma with presence of microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti was made. The diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma was confirmed on histopathology.

Lymphatic filariasis: new insights and prospects for control

Although lymphatic filariasis remains among the major causes of disability among the tropical infectious diseases, dramatic advances have been made in the approach to its diagnosis, epidemiology and treatment, in our understanding of the molecular composition of the parasites that cause these infections, and in the factors underlying the pathology seen. Superimposing the tools of modern epidemiology, immunology, and molecular biology on field-based clinical trials has allowed the emergence of the concept of elimination of lymphatic filariasis. Much of the important new research emphasizes parasite development in the context of the host response, the importance of both the adult worm and other factors in the pathogenesis of lymphatic filarial disease, the role the Wolbachia endosymbiont holds as both a target for drug treatment and in inducing post-treatment reactions, and the various principles underlying the implementation of control programs.