MyMedR

Fulltext Filariasis of the axilla in a patient returning from travel abroad: a case report

Roethlisberger M, Wuerstlein R, Majores M, Müller-Stöver I, Seitz HM, Rhiem K, et al.

Breast care (Basel, Switzerland), 2012 Dec;7(6):487-9.

BACKGROUND: The term filariasis comprises a group of parasitic infections caused by helminths belonging to different genera in the superfamily Filaroidea. The human parasites occur mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, but filariae are also found in temperate climates, where they can infect wild and domestic animals. Humans are rarely infected by these zoonotic parasites.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 55-year-old patient presented with a new-onset, subcutaneous, non-tender palpable mass in the right axilla. Ultrasonography showed a 1.3-cm, solid, singular encapsulated node. Sonography of the breast on both sides, axilla and lymphatic drainage on the left side, lymphatic drainage on the right side, and mammography on both sides were without pathological findings. The node was excised under local anesthesia as the patient refused minimal invasive biopsy.

RESULTS: On histopathological examination, the tail of a parasite of the group of filariae was found. The patient revealed that she had stayed in Africa and Malaysia for professional reasons. 6 months before the time of diagnosis, she had also suffered from a fever and poor general condition after a trip abroad. The patient was referred for further treatment to the Institute for Tropical Medicine at the University of Dusseldorf, where a treatment with ivermectin was conducted on the basis of positive staining with antibodies against filariae.

CONCLUSION: Our case demonstrates the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between breast center, pathology, and other specialties such as microbiology and tropical medicine.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea

Studies on the Malayan forest rat filaria, Breinlia booliati (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae): transmission to laboratory rats

Ho BC, Singh M, Yap EH, Lim BL

Int J Parasitol, 1976 Apr;6(2):113-6.

PMID: 1262122

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea

Histopathology of Brugia pahangi and Plasmodium berghei ANKA co-infection in the Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Junaid OQ, Wong KT, Khaw LT, Mahmud R, Vythilingam I

Trop Biomed, 2018 Dec 01;35(4):981-998.

PMID: 33601846

Co-infection with multiple different parasites is a common phenomenon in both human and animals. Among parasites that frequently co-infect the same hosts, are the filarial worms and malaria parasites. Despite this, the mechanisms underlying the interactions between these parasites is still relatively unexplored with very few studies available on the resulting pathologies due to co-infection by filarial nematodes and malaria parasites. Hence, this study investigated the histopathological effect of Brugia pahangi and Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infections in gerbil host. Gerbils grouped into B. pahangi-infected, PbA-infected, B. pahangi and PbA-coinfected, and uninfected control, were necropsied at different time points of post PbA infections. Brugia pahangi infections in the gerbils were first initiated by subcutaneous inoculation of 50 infective larvae, while PbA infections were done by intraperitoneal injection of 106 parasitized red blood cells after 70 days patent period of B. pahangi. Organs such as the lungs, kidneys, spleen, heart and liver were harvested aseptically at the point of necropsy. There was significant hepatosplenomegaly observed in both PbA-infected only and coinfected gerbils. The spleen, liver and lungs were heavily pigmented. Both B. pahangi and PbA infections (mono and coinfections) resulted in pulmonary edema, while glomerulonephritis was associated with PbA infections. The presence of both parasites induced extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen and liver. These findings suggest that the pathologies associated with coinfected gerbils were synergistically induced by both B. pahangi and PbA infections.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea

Fulltext A combined human case of Dirofilaria ursi infection in dorsal subcutaneous tissue and Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) infection in ventral subcutaneous tissue

Yamada M, Shishito N, Nozawa Y, Uni S, Nishioka K, Nakaya T

Trop Med Health, 2017;45:26.

PMID: 29118653 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-017-0067-4

Background: Dirofilaria ursi is a filarial nematode that parasitizes the subcutaneous tissues of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) and Japanese black bear (Ursus thiabetanus japonicus). D. ursi that has parasitized black bears has the potential to subsequently infect humans. In addition, extra-gastrointestinal anisakiasis is less common in Japan.

Case presentation: We report a case of ventral subcutaneous anisakiasis and dorsal subcutaneous dirofilariasis that was acquired in Fukushima, in the northern part of Japan. The patient was an 83-year-old Japanese female, and subcutaneous parasitic granulomas were present on her left abdomen (near the navel) and left scapula. A pathological examination of the surgically dissected tissue sections from each region demonstrated eosinophilic granulomas containing different species of parasites. To enable the morphological and molecular identification of these parasites, DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded sections using DEXPAT reagent, and the cytochrome oxidase 2 (COX2), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S and ITS2 regions of the Anisakis larvae, and the 5S rRNA region of the male Dirofilaria were sequenced. The PCR products were examined and compared with DNA databases. Molecular analysis of the COX2 and 5S rRNA sequences of each worm revealed that the nematode found in the ventral region belonged to Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) and the male Dirofilaria found in the dorsal region was classified as D. ursi.

Conclusion: The present case showed a combined human case of D. ursi and A. simplex s.s. infections in subcutaneous tissues. The results of this study will contribute to the identification of unknown parasites in histological sections.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea

Filariasis due to Brugia malayi in west Malayasia. I. Clinical, laboratory, and parasitological aspects

Dondero TJ, Ramachandran CP, Bin Yusoff O

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1971 Dec;2(4):503-15.

PMID: 5144151

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/isolation & purification*

Fulltext Bionomics of important mosquito vectors in Malaysia

Vythilingam I, Chiang GL, Lee HL, Singh KI

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1992 Dec;23(4):587-603.

PMID: 1363679

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/physiology*

Mass treatment of Malayan filariasis in the Gumbasa irrigation area of Central Sulawesi

Putrali J, Kaleb YM, Van Peenen PF, Saroso JS

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1975 Jun;6(2):206-10.

PMID: 1166347

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/drug effects*

Filariasis due to Brugia malayi in West Malaysia. II. Skin test aspects

Dondero TJ, Ramachandran CP

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1972 Mar;3(1):25-30.

PMID: 5028861

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/immunology

Indirect hemagglutination with extracts of various helminths in eosinophilic lung (tropical eosinophilia)

Pacheco G, Danaraj TJ

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1966 May;15(3):355-8.

PMID: 5938434

Saline extracts of ether-treated Dirofilaria immitis, Ascaris suum, and Ancylostoma spp. were used in indirect hemagglutination tests of serum from 164 patients with a diagnosis of eosinophilic lung and 114 persons with other diseases or no disease (blood donors). In the first group, positive reactions with one, two or all three antigens were obtained in 89 percent of cases and the titers, at medium or high levels in 77 percent, decreased after treatment with diethylcarbamazine. In the other group, antibodies were demonstrable in the serum of only 22 percent of cases and titers usually were low. These observations indicate the presence of several antigen-antibody systems, some of which appear to be specific. With extracts of Dirofilaria the indirect hemagglutination and the complement-fixation tests were similar in sensitivity and specificity, but the results from neither test appeared to indicate infection with a specific worm.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/immunology*

Fulltext An example of Filariasis control from West Malaysia

Wilson T

Bull World Health Organ, 1969;41(2):324-9.

PMID: 5308708

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea

Fulltext Seasonal Filarial Infections and Their Black Fly Vectors in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand

Aupalee K, Saeung A, Srisuka W, Fukuda M, Streit A, Takaoka H

Pathogens, 2020 Jun 25;9(6).

PMID: 32630410 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9060512

The transmission of zoonotic filarial parasites by black flies has so far been reported in the Chiang Mai and Tak provinces, Thailand, and the bites of these infected black flies can cause a rare disease-human zoonotic onchocerciasis. However, species identification of the filarial parasites and their black fly vectors in the Chiang Mai province were previously only based on a morphotaxonomic analysis. In this study, a combined approach of morphotaxonomic and molecular analyses (mitochondrial cox1, 12S rRNA, and nuclear 18S rRNA (SSU HVR-I) genes) was used to clarify the natural filarial infections in female black flies collected by using human and swine baits from two study areas (Ban Lek and Ban Pang Dang) in the Chiang Mai province from March 2018 to January 2019. A total of 805 and 4597 adult females, belonging to seven and nine black fly taxa, were collected from Ban Lek and Ban Pang Dang, respectively. At Ban Lek, four of the 309 adult females of Simulium nigrogilvum were positive for Onchocerca species type I in the hot and rainy seasons. At Ban Pang Dang, five unknown filarial larvae (belonging to the same new species) were detected in Simulium sp. in the S. varicorne species-group and in three species in the S. asakoae species-group in all seasons, and three non-filarial larvae of three different taxa were also found in three females of the S. asakoae species-group. This study is the first to molecularly identify new filarial species and their vector black fly species in Thailand.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea

Testicular mass: do not forget filariasis

Ho CC, Ideris N

Infection, 2013 Aug;41(4):893-6.

PMID: 23471824 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-013-0443-x

Parasite infestation of the testicular tunica and spermatic cord by filariae are rarely reported and may present with few clinical signs, depending upon the stage. Occasionally, it may mimic a testicular tumor. We present a case of a 29-year-old man who presented with left testicular swelling and discomfort for 4 months. Clinical examination and imaging suggested an intrascrotal cystic lesion with a normal left testis. However, the intraoperative findings revealed a tumor-like mass; hence, a left orchidectomy was performed. However, histopathology reported a diagnosis of a cystic testicular tunica and spermatic cord with parasite infection. Here, we review the literature of scrotal and testicular parasite disease and discuss the course of the appropriate management involved.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/isolation & purification*

Recent advances in diagnostic techniques in filariasis

Lim PK

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1993;24 Suppl 2:45-50.

PMID: 7973946

Accurate diagnosis of human filarial infections still remains a problem for clinicians and co-ordinators of filariasis control programs. Diagnosis of filariasis is based on parasitological, histopathological, clinical and immunological approaches. No significant advances have been made for the first three approaches although some refinements in their use and interpretation of results have occurred. For the immunological approach, intradermal tests and antibody detection assays using crude parasite extracts generally lack specificity and/or sensitivity to discriminate between past and present filarial infections in humans. Antigen detection assays would therefore provide a more accurate indication of active filarial infections. Several monoclonal antibodies to various stages of lymphatic filarial parasites have been developed and appear potentially useful for filarial antigen detection.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/isolation & purification*

Armigeres subalbatus incriminated as an important vector of the dog heartworm Dirofilaria immitis and the bird Cardiofilaria in urban Kuala Lumpur

Cheong WH, Mak JW, Naidu S, Mahadevan S

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1981 Dec;12(4):611-2.

PMID: 6124044

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/isolation & purification*

Parasitological and entomological studies on filariasis in seven villages, Serian District, Sarawak, East Malaysia

Rubis P, Chang MS, Nagum AJ, Jau JL

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1981 Mar;12(1):30-5.

PMID: 6114566

A total of 82 persons have been found to be positive for microfilaria a sub-periodic Brugia malayi out of 1,613 examined in seven villages in Serian District. This represents an average microfilaria infection rate of 5.1% with a range of zero to 10.7%. It is found that males are more predominantly affected than females with a ratio of 3:1. It is also confirmed that Mansonia dives and M. bonneae are possible vectors for the transmission of the disease although Anopheles species cannot be ruled out owing to the small number of specimens examined. The study is confined to areas where indoor DDT spraying has been done since 1960 and only in two of the areas it has been terminated in 1966. Yet to be published data shows higher filaria infection rate than any of these villages.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/isolation & purification*

Experimental infection of Rattus sabanus and Rattus muelleri with subperiodic Brugia malayi

Sivanandam S, Mak JW, Lai PF

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1975 Mar;6(1):68-73.

PMID: 1145240

R. sabanus and R. muelleri are very common in the lowland forests of Malaysia. In nature they are infected with Breinlia sp. and D. ramachandrani. In an attempt to determine whether they are also susceptible to subperiodic B. malayi and thereby being potential reservoirs of infection of the disease, 24 R. muelleri and 17 R. sabanus were experimentally infected with the parasite. Results show that although they can support the full development of the parasite, they are poor hosts. This confirms the observation that in Malaysia natural infection of Rattus spp. with the parasite has not been seen. These rats therefore are probably not important in the zoonotic transmission of subperiodic B. malayi in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/parasitology*

Filariasis blood survey in Kelantan

Dondero TJ, Sivanandam S

Med J Malaysia, 1973 Jun;27(4):306-9.

PMID: 4270791

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/isolation & purification*

Filariasis in Sabah, East Malaysia

Barclay R

Ann Trop Med Parasitol, 1969 Dec;63(4):473-88.

PMID: 4393668

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/isolation & purification

A parasitological study of Pulau Pinang and Pulau Perhentian Kechil, off Trengganu, West Malaysia. I. Malaria and filariasis

Yap LF, Ramachandran CP, Balasingam E

Med J Malaya, 1968 Dec;23(2):118-22.

PMID: 4240821

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea/isolation & purification*

Ethanol extracts of various helminths in a complement fixation test for eosinophilic lung (tropical eosinophilia)

Pacheco G, Danaraj TJ

Am J Trop Med Hyg, 1963 Sep;12(5):745-7.

PMID: 14070764

Sera taken fortnightly from fourteen patients with eosinophilic lung (tropical eosinophilia) were tested by complement fixation with ethanol extracts of Dirofilaria immitis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Toxocara canis, Gnathostoma procyonis, Fasciola gigantica and Dipylidium caninum. Initially, sera from ten patients had high antibody titers with each of the extracts while antibodies were not detected in sera from the other four; after treatment with diethylcarbamazine the high titers decreased. It is concluded that the reactions obtained with these various extracts do not indicate infection with any particular helminth.

Matched MeSH terms: Filarioidea*

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