Filarial antibody and antigen detection in different clinical conditions in an endemic area

The study was conducted in filarial endemic area for various clinical presentations and diagnosis of occult filariasis. A total of 157 cases of various clinical presentations namely tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, monoarthritis, polyarthritis, glomerulonephropathy, tenosynovitis, inguinal lymphadenopathy, generalised lymphadenopathy, retroperitonial lymphadenopathy, endomyocardial fibrosis and acute conjunctivitis were screened for filarial antigen and antibody by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of 157 cases, 107 cases were positive for antigen or antibody, suggesting the role of filarial infection in these clinical presentations. All the 107 cases were treated with diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) and some of the patients who were followed showed relief in signs and symptoms. Hence assay of filarial antigen and/or antibody may be useful for diagnosing occult filarial syndromes for better management and further appropriate treatment.