Screening and evaluation of lymphatic filariasis in immigrants from endemic countries residing in a focus where it is considered eliminated in the Southern Region of Brazil: A risk of reemergence?

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) has been targeted by the World Health Organization for elimination by the year 2020. However, migration of infected individuals from areas where LF is endemic to areas considered non-endemic or foci for the control and elimination may jeopardize the achievement of this goal. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of filarial infection by way of circulating filarial antigen (CFA) circulation using the point of care AD12-immunochromatography card (POC-ICT) among immigrants from Haiti residing in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, between May and October 2015. Of the 420 subjects examined, 77.4% were male, aged 19-54 years. Ten (2.38%) were POC-ICT positive. Of this total, one was not found. Two individuals were negative for Og4C3-ELISA and DNA/Wb-PCR in all biological samples, but positive for the anti-filarial antibody Bm14 and only one showed microfilaremia (1mf/mL). These findings point to the importance of the Brazilian surveillance action to reduce the possibility of reintroduction of LF in Chapecó, Santa Catarina, by infected immigrants, and to guarantee the success of the National LF Elimination Plan.