Filariasis in British Guiana: clinical manifestations of filariasis due to wuchereria bancrofti

ABSTRACT

In this paper, certain clinical manifestations of filariasis have been reported. Brief reference has been made to studies in pathology and parasitology. In a total period of six years, 628 patients suffering from filariasis were examined. Seventy five percent of them had suffered from fever and ague, and 74 percent had elephantiasis of a limb or limbs. Only 1 percent suffered from chyluria. 8 percent had symtoms or signs in the breast. The night blood was examined in 278 patients and microfilariae were found in 54 persons or 19 percent of those examined. 43 percent of the patients reported the presence of filariasis in relatives at home, and 24 percent in neighbours. 38 percent of the male patients and 23 percent of the female patients were under the age of 15. (AU)