Role of buffy coat in detection of microfilaria in absence of eosinophilia: a case report
Papel de la capa leucocitaria en la detección de microfilarias en ausencia de eosinofilia: reporte de un caso
Sailuja Maharjan, Sumnima Mainali, Akriti Shrestha, Sabi Rana, Srinivas Chakravarthy
Abstract
Filariasis is a very important public health problem endemic in tropical and subtropical countries. It is a debilitating disease with significant socioeconomic burden. In 2016, lymphatic filariasis was successfully eliminated from the Maldives, which was certified by WHO. We report a case of filariasis detected by a rapid antigen test while undergoing a screening program conducted by Health Protection Agency, Maldives in December 2023. The patient was asymptomatic and showed no peripheral blood eosinophilia. Conventional blood smears were negative. Nevertheless, buffy coat smear served as a promising test in detection of parasite, thus confirming the re-emergence of the disease in the country. Therefore, our study highlight the significance of buffy coat smears in detection of hemoparasites. We also focus on the importance of surveillance system in order to sustain the disease elimination goal that was already achieved.
Keywords
Resumen
La filariasis es un problema de salud pública muy importante, endémico en países tropicales y subtropicales. Es una enfermedad debilitante con una importante carga socioeconómica. En 2016, se eliminó con éxito la filariasis linfática en Maldivas, lo cual fue certificado por la OMS. Informamos un caso de filariasis detectada mediante una prueba rápida de antígenos mientras se sometía a un programa de detección realizado por la Agencia de Protección de la Salud de Maldivas en diciembre de 2023. El paciente estaba asintomático y no mostraba eosinofilia en sangre periférica. Los frotis de sangre convencionales fueron negativos. Sin embargo, el frotis leucocitario sirvió como prueba prometedora en la detección del parásito, confirmando así la reaparición de la enfermedad en el país. Por lo tanto, nuestro estudio resalta la importancia de los frotis de capa leucocitaria en la detección de hemoparásitos. También nos centramos en la importancia del sistema de vigilancia para mantener el objetivo de eliminación de la enfermedad que ya se logró.
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References
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Submitted date:
02/17/2024
Reviewed date:
05/22/2024
Accepted date:
06/05/2024
Publication date:
06/17/2024
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