Giant cutaneous cyst in a dog infected by Cercopithifilaria bainae.

Cercopithifilaria bainae is the most prevalent species of filarioids within the genus. This parasite localizes in the skin, sometimes causing erythematous dermatitis. Herein, the authors describe a case of giant cutaneous cyst in a dog infected by Cercopithifilaria bainae. A 9-year-old male mixed-breed dog presented to a veterinary facility in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul (Midwest Brazil) with a mass in the lumbosacral region. On clinical examination, the mass was observed to be approximately 15 cm in diameter with a floating consistency and conspicuous presence of viscous fluid; the lesion, however, was non-ulcerated and non-adherent. Cytological examination revealed the presence of moderate lymphocyte cellularity and foamy macrophages, erythrophagocytosis and the presence of numerous microfilariae. After morphological and molecular analysis of the 12S ribosomal RNA gene, the microfilariae were identified as C. bainae, exhibiting 99-100% identity with DNA sequences available from Genbank. Surgery was recommended and after resection of the giant cyst, the dog was treated with ivermectin for two weeks and the clinical condition was completely resolved. Based on the presence of microfilariae in the cyst fluid the role of this filarioid in the determinism of the lesion has been discussed.

Management of vulvar lymphedema of filarial origin in a pregnant woman and its outcome: A case report.

Lymphedema of filarial origin affecting the vulva is extremely rare. It is a dilemma if seen in a pregnant woman as there are no guidelines regarding excision and the mode of delivery. With the World Health Organization-driven global program to eradicate filaria, it is unfortunate to see such cases. We report of a woman who had massive lymphedema of both the labia majora following filarial infection with a small secondary ulcer. She presented to our outpatient department in early pregnancy. After detailed counseling with the couple, a decision was taken for excision. The same was carried out. The wound healed well but the lymphedema recurred after 6 weeks. She was thereafter managed symptomatically. Pregnancy advanced without any complication. Her intrapartum management for a successful vaginal delivery is outlined in the report.

Filiarial chyluria with nephrotic-range proteinuria and associated hypoalbuminaemia and hypogammaglobulinaemia secondary to bilateral lymphorenal fistulae.

A 55-year-old man of Indian descent, presented to the emergency department with a 2-year history of passing 'milky' white urine, associated with dysuria, urinary retention, bilateral flank pain and 15 kg weight loss. He had migrated to Australia from India at the age of 16, with no overseas travel since, and denied having any fevers, rigours or chills. He was found to have chyluria and nephrotic-range proteinuria with marked hypoalbuminaemia and hypogammaglobulinaemia. Due to his ethnic origin and by diagnostic exclusion, a presumptive diagnosis of filariasis was made. With bilateral lymphorenal disconnection, as definitive management, the patient's chyluria and proteinuria resolved with restoration of normal plasma protein and immunoglobulin levels.

Incidental detection of two adult gravid filarial worms in breast: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Microfilaria is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries and is an endemic problem in India. Wuchereria bancrofti is the commonest filarial infection. In some lesions, microfilariae and adult filarial worm have been incidentally detected in fine-needle aspirates. CASE PRESENTATION: A 35 year old hindu female presented with lump in upper outer quadrant of left breast. Fine needle aspiration revealed two adult gravid female filarial worms. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first ever case report to demonstrate two live gravid female and embryoid forms in wet mount preparation.

Filariasis presenting as a scrotal nodule in a 2 year old child: a case report.

A two year old boy from southwestern village of India presented with a 2 cm × 1 cm size swelling in scrotum for 8 months. It was excised surgically and the histopathological examination revealed a gravid filarial worm. The occurrence of adult filarial worm in 2 year old boy signifies the endemicity and high larval load of insect vectors in western coast of south India.

Human intraocular filariasis caused by Pelecitus sp. nematode, Brazil.

A male nematode was extracted from iris fibers of a man from the Brazilian Amazon region. This nematode belonged to the genus Pelecitus but was distinct from the 16 known species in this genus. Similarities with Pelecitus spp. from neotropical birds suggested an avian origin for this species.

Oral filariasis--a case report.

Filarial worms are nematodes that dwell in the subcutaneous tissues and lymphatics of human hosts. In India, filariasis is predominantly caused by a species of nematode called Wuchereria bancrofti. The disease is transmitted through the bite of blood sucking mosquitoes. The salient clinical feature of the disease is lymphangitis leading to elephantiasis of the legs, arms, scrotum and breast. Oral or perioral involvement is very rare. We report a case of filariasis which was diagnosed after biopsy of an innocuous cheek nodule.

Intravitreal live adult Brugian filariasis.

Human ocular infestation by live filarial worm is a rare occurrence and has been reported mostly form South-East Asia. It involves the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior chamber and uvea. No case of intravitreal Brugian microfilaria / adult worm has been found by Medline search. Here we report a case of live intravitreal adult Brugian filaria, where the parasite was successfully removed by pars plana vitrectomy. Identification of the worm was done by light microscopy and confirmed by immuno chromatographic test.

Alternative activation is an innate response to injury that requires CD4+ T cells to be sustained during chronic infection.

Alternatively activated macrophages (AAMPhi) are found in abundance during chronic Th2 inflammatory responses to metazoan parasites. Important roles for these macrophages are being defined, particularly in the context of Th2-mediated pathology and fibrosis. However, a full understanding of the requirements for alternative activation, particularly at the innate level, is lacking. We present evidence that alternative activation by the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 is an innate and rapid response to tissue injury that takes place even in the absence of an infectious agent. This early response does not require CD4+ Th2 cells because it occurred in RAG-deficient mice. However, class II-restricted CD4+ T cell help is essential to maintain AAMPhi in response to infection, because AAMPhi were absent in RAG-deficient and MHC class II-deficient, but not B cell-deficient mice after chronic exposure to the nematode parasite, Brugia malayi. The absence of AAMPhi was associated with increased neutrophilia and reduced eosinophilia, suggesting that AAMPhi are involved in the clearance of neutrophils as well as the recruitment of eosinophils. Consistent with this hypothesis, AAMPhi show enhanced phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils, but not latex beads. Our data demonstrate that alternative activation by type 2 cytokines is an innate response to injury that can occur in the absence of an adaptive response. However, analogous to classical activation by microbial pathogens, Th2 cells are required for maintenance and full activation during the ongoing response to metazoan parasites.

Persistent corneal edema secondary to presumed dead adult filarial worm in the anterior chamber.

We present three cases of persistent corneal edema secondary to presumed dead adult filarial worms lying in the anterior chamber with their attachment to the endothelium. Two of them were initially diagnosed as descemet's fold with corneal edema. Two patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty and in one case, surgical removal was partly possible with clearing of cornea.

"Worm in the eye": the rationale for treatment of DUSN in south India.

AIM: To discuss the rationale for different techniques of treatment for DUSN (diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis) and their effectiveness in two patients from south India. METHODS: Two rare cases of live worms in DUSN from India are reported, where filarial Brugia malayi is endemic. Both cases presented with progressive unilateral loss of vision with no history of animal contact. They were 40 year old, apparently healthy men. In case 1, the worm (1500-2000 microm) was easy to identify with wriggling movements among crisscrossing diffuse subretinal tracks. The worm was destroyed by a single shot of laser to its advancing end, which was followed by oral steroid to control the inflammation caused by the dead worm. In case 2, the worm was small and difficult to identify. Initially diffuse neuroretinitis was diagnosed and treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and oral corticosteroid. A week later, a small live worm (400-600 microm) was found and subsequently destroyed by laser photocoagulation followed by a combination of anthelminthics. RESULTS: The patients' vision had improved to 6/60-6/36 from counting fingers after a few weeks. CONCLUSION: The role of a combination of laser treatment, systemic steroid, and anthelminthics is discussed.

A juvenile filarial worm, Wuchereria bancrofti, extracted from the vitreous of the eye: the first report in the world literature.

A live worm was extracted from the vitreous of the eye of a patient in Sri Lanka. Based on the details of its length, width, oesophagus and vulva it was identified as Ajuvenile female Wuchereria bancrofti.

An inguinal mass with local vascular lesions induced by a lymphatic filaria.

A 47-year-old Indian male presented with an inguinal mass clinically suspicious as a tumor. Histological examination of the excised mass demonstrated tissue reaction to degenerating intravascular adult filarial worms. The worms have been identified as a lymphatic filariae, most probably Wuchereria bancrofti. The case report underscores the need to maintain suspicion of genitourinary filarial lesions in non-endemic areas and describes atypical vascular lesions induced by lymphatic filariae.