An unusual presentation of Wuchereria bancrofti infection

Filariasis presenting as a solitary testicular mass

In an endemic country like India, the occurrence of filariasis is very common, especially in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The present study describes the case of a male from a nonendemic state who presented with a testicular lump. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the lump revealed many adult filarial worms. The appearance of adult filarial worms in different sites, other than lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels, are relatively rarer and should always be reported. Filariasis remains asymptomatic for a long time and responds very well to treatment if diagnosed early. Despite the availability of multiple diagnostic options, FNAC holds a great importance in diagnosing filariasis, especially in cases where there are normal eosinophil counts and no peripheral filarial parasite. Finally, careful examination of cytological smear for the parasite in high-risk groups is helpful in labeling the disease in early asymptomatic states.

Unusual presentation of filariasis as an abscess: A case report

Bancroftian filariasis, a tropical and subtropical disease caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, is transmitted by the culex mosquito. The disease is conventionally diagnosed by the demonstration of microfilaria in peripheral blood smear. Microfilaria and adult filarial worms have been incidentally detected in fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in various locations. The disease may be missed if one is not aware of the possibility, particularly in cases where eosinophilia is absent. Therefore, clinicians and pathologists need to be more vigilant in the endemic zones for early diagnosis and the treatment of filariasis. We report here an unusual case of filariasis in a 17-year-old female with a swelling in the lower part of the left arm on the flexor surface. This highlights the chances of finding microfilaria in cytology of an unsuspected case at an unusual site. This case, in addition, stresses the fact that microfilaria may be associated with an abscess even in the absence of eosinophilia.