Cytomorphologic profile of lymphatic filariasis.

OBJECTIVE

To review the cytologic findings in 34 cases of lymphatic filariasis reported on fine needle aspiration cytology for the identification of various parasitic structures.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective study of consecutive cytologically diagnosed lymphatic filariasis in a nine-year period.

RESULTS

Thirty-three cases were confirmed as filariasis; 30 had microfilariae (group 1). Three cases (group 2) showed no microfilariae. The diagnosis in group 2 was based on the identification of an adult male worm (1 case), nongravid female worm (1 case) and fertilized eggs (1 case). Thirteen cases in group 1 also had fragments of gravid female worm.

CONCLUSION

Lymphatic filariasis can be diagnosed in the absence of microfilariae by identifying other parasitic fragments.