Bancroftian filariasis in the metropolitan area of Recife (Pernambuco State, Brazil): clinical aspects in histologically diagnosed cases.

Clinical data on 75 patients, 33 males (44%) and 42 females (56%), with histopathological diagnosis of bancroftian filariasis observed in Recife are presented. The disease predominated in young people. Lymph nodes, especially those of the inguinal region, were the most common site of lesion while the female breast represented the most frequent extra-nodal involvement. The index of clinical suspicion was low, neoplasias being the main preoperatory diagnosis.