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Amicrofilaraemic Filariasis — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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HardParasitologyAmicrofilaraemic FilariasisSCE Infectious Diseases

A patient from a lymphatic-filariasis endemic region has hydrocele and recurrent lymphangitis. Nocturnal microscopy is negative, but a Wuchereria bancrofti circulating-antigen test is positive. What does the result mean?

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Correct answer: B — Active Wuchereria bancrofti infection despite absent microfilaraemia

The best answer is “Active Wuchereria bancrofti infection despite absent microfilaraemia”. The antigen assay detects products of adult W. bancrofti and is more sensitive than a single nocturnal film in amicrofilaraemic infection; clinical staging and specialist treatment still follow. Circulating filarial antigen can demonstrate Wuchereria bancrofti infection even when nocturnal microscopy does not show microfilariae.

Reference: WHO lymphatic filariasis fact sheet: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lymphatic-filariasis