Case #347 – May, 2013

Random night blood specimens were collected from over 500 subjects in an area endemic for lymphatic filariasis in coastal India. Roughly one-third of the cases were symptomatic, with or without recurrent episodes of fever and various degrees of lymphedema. The objects in Figures A and B were observed on Giemsa-stained thick blood films from several of the asymptomatic cases. The objects measured on average 220 micrometers in length. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?

Images presented in the DPDx case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.