Contribution to the geographical pathology of Surinam: 9. Acute lymphadenitis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti

ABSTRACT

The possible causes of an acute filaria attack are discussed, and case histories are given. Acute lymphadenitis is one of the clinical manifestations of the infection with W. bancrofti. In one case an acute attack occurred during treatment with hetrazan, which histopathologically must have been the result of the death of a macrofilaria. An acute filaria attack is described, which must have been due to dissemination of microfilariae; the outlet from the lymphatic gland had evidently been obstructed. However, the cause of lymphadenopathy (acute lymphadenitis) has not been explained, not even by the so-called allergic reaction