Microfilaria and Strongyloides larva diagnosed in cerebrospinal fluid and ascitic fluid, respectively: Approach to their morphology on cytology.

Filariasis and Strongyloidiasis are two endemic parasitic infections seen in any tropical country. Filariasis, commonly caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori is seen often in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissue. But it can be isolated from wide variety of soft tissue sites in the body like soft tissue lumps, breast, thyroid, body fluids. Strongyloides stercoralis, a helminthic infection, usually affects the respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and frequently picked up in GI biopsies. However, in cases of hyper infection and patients with altered immunity, it can be isolated from other rare sites like body fluid samples. Accurate morphological Identification and confirmation are important for specific management. We report a case of microfilaria isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and a case of Strongyloides larva isolated from ascitic fluid in clinically unsuspected cases of these two parasitic infestations. We have also added a brief discussion on morphological differences between the two larval forms.

Biochemical changes in cerebrospinal fluid of Chlorocebus aethiops naturally infected with zoonotic Meningonema peruzzii.

BACKGROUND: Thirty-four wild Chlorocebus aethiops monkeys were trapped for research purposes. METHODS: During routine quarantine check-up, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood were microscopically examined for parasites. Estimations of CSF protein levels were made by the biuret method and the white cell counts by the hemocytometer. RESULTS: Seven monkeys demonstrated microfilariae in blood and CSF. This was accompanied by a two- and ninefold increase in CSF total protein and white cell counts, respectively. Necropsy of one of the blood and CSF microfilariae-positive animals revealed the presence of adult worms in the brain meninges. The parasites were identified as the zoonotic filaroid nematode Meningonema peruzii. CONCLUSIONS: Wild C. aethiops monkeys developed CSF changes resulting, most probably, from infection with M. peruzii. Moreover, the monkeys could be acting as an important reservoir. The study highlights the need for epidemiological and pathogenological studies of this parasite, which is of public health significance. Moreover, C. aethiops proved to be a useful primate model for the study of this zoonotic infection.

[Filariae in vertebral canal, report of a case].

OBJECTIVE: To confirm diagnosis of a special case with chief complaints of abdominal pain and dyskinesia of lower extremities. METHODS: The clinical symptoms, signs, MRI, pathological findings and the results of blood test for microfilaria were analyzed. RESULTS: The patient was a 6-year old girl who had abdominal pain for 10 days dyskinesia of lower extremities for 6 days accompanied by difficulty in urination and defecation. There was tenderness on T7-9 spinous process, sensory dullness below the umbilicus. Babinski's and Oppenheim's sign were bilaterally positive, and ankle clonus was positive. MRI showed space occupying change in the vertebral canal at T7-9 level. The mass of 2 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm size was removed by surgical operation and histopathological study showed obvious fibrous tissue proliferation accompanied by eosinophil, lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltration around a worm-like structure. Night time blood test performed at 23:00 confirmed the presence of microfilaria. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of filariae in vertebral canal could be confirmed.

A new zoonosis of the cerebrospinal fluid of man probably caused by Meningonema peruzzii, a filaria of the central nervous system of Cercopithecidae.

A female fourth stage larva of Meningonema, probably of M. peruzzii Orihel et Esslinger, 1973, was recovered in Cameroon, from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient harbouring Loa loa, but without any neurological signs. This observation is the first human case of Meningonema (Filarioidea Splendidofilariinae) which usually parasitizes the central nervous system of African Cercopithecinae. However, as indicated by Orihel and Esslinger, it seems probable that the perstans-like microfilariae described in cases of cerebral filariasis in Zimbabwe belonged to the same species.