Microscopic haematuria as an occult filarial infection in bhubaneshwar an endemic area for bancroftian filariasis.

Sera samples of 7 microscopic haematuria cases collected before and after treatment with Diethylcarbamazine citrate, (DEC), 9 microfilaraemic cases and 19 endemic normal individuals were analysed for filarial antigen and IgG antibody levels. Filarial antigen was detected in 5 of the 7 microscopic haematuria cases, of which 3 turned negative for antigen after treatment with DEC. While none of the 7 haematuria cases were positive for filarial IgG antibodies, before the DEC treatment, all of them turned positive after DEC treatment. The sensitivity and specificity values(to detect mf +ve cases) were 89% and 90% respectively for the detection of filarial antigen and 78% and 95% respectively for the detection of filarial IgG antibodies.