Incidental detection of filaria in fine-needle aspirates: a cytologic study of 14 clinically unsuspected cases at different sites

Can nematode infection cause internal bleeding in dogs? A case of Dirofilaria immitis infection in cavitary fluids

A 9-year-old dog was presented with weight loss, respiratory effort, and an enlarged abdomen. Imaging studies and exploratory surgery showed pulmonary and splenic masses and bi-cavitary effusion, later classified as hemorrhage. Cytology of the peritoneal and pleural fluids also revealed several microfilariae. Immunologic and molecular analyses confirmed Dirofilaria immitis infection and histopathology of the spleen indicated a cavernous endothelial proliferation with undefined etiology (hemangiosarcoma vs reaction to parasite infestation). The nematode larvae are speculated to have entered body cavities via erratic migration or via hemorrhage and visceral lesions to be related to parasitism. Nematode infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis for internal bleeding of undetermined origin.

Incidental detection of microfilaria in cyst fluid of Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of ovary: A rare case report

INTRODUCTION

Filariasis is a major health problem in certain parts of India. Microfilaria detection on exfoliative and fluid cytology is extremely rare and it is even very rare to find microfilaria coexistent with neoplastic lesions.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 45-year-old nulliparous female, who presented with complaints of lower abdominal swelling and pain. Initially, a clinical diagnosis of cystadenoma was made. Ascitic fluid cytology of the patient showed 3-dimensional clusters of cells along with an occasional microfilaria. On histopathology, a diagnosis of Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of ovary was made.

DISCUSSION

Most common cause of lymphatic filariasis is W. bancrofti followed by Brugia species and it affects young adults. The adult form of the filaria lodge in lymph vessels, and due to lymphatic blockage in neoplasms they appear in tissue fluid or on surface material. It is the first case report of microfilaria being detected in ovarian cystic fluid cytology in a patient of Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of ovary.

CONCLUSION

Filaria is an incidental finding in most of the cases, hence, cytopathologist should be vigilant and careful screening of all the slides should be done, especially in a country like India, where it is highly endemic.

A Practical Guide to the Role of Ancillary Techniques in the Diagnosis of Infectious Agents in Fine Needle Aspiration Samples

Fine needle aspiration samples and small biopsies provide a minimally invasive diagnostic modality for mass lesions. When an infectious process is suspected based on initial evaluation, ancillary techniques can assist in making a specific diagnosis. Here we review the cytopathology that should prompt additional testing and review the availability and interpretation of special stains, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization. In addition, this review addresses when special cultures may be necessary and the use of newer molecular techniques for pathogen identification.

Breast ductal carcinoma with coexistent microfilaria: Diagnosed on cytology

Filariasis is a major health problem of the tropical and subtropical regions, but filariae are also found in temperate climates. The disease is endemic all over India and microfilariae have been observed as coincidental findings with inflammatory conditions and neoplastic lesions. We report a rare case of a 40-year-old female from a nonendemic area presenting with lump in the left breast. The skin overlying the mass was fungating and ulcerated. Ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes were palpable. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed highly cellular smears having ductal epithelial cells arranged in groups, tight clusters, and scattered singly. Cells were large, having pleomorphic round to oval nuclei with prominent nucleoli. Along with these tumor cells, sheathed microfilariae of Wuchureria bancrofti were seen, suggesting a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma with coexistent microfilaria of W. bancrofti. Findings were confirmed on histopathology of the resected specimen following modified radical mastectomy. Coexistent pathologies should always be considered while reporting.

Eosinophilia in Infectious Diseases

In determining the etiology of eosinophilia, it is necessary to consider the type of patient, including previous travel and exposure history, comorbidities, and symptoms. In this review, we discuss the approach to the patient with eosinophilia from an infectious diseases perspective based on symptom complexes.

Cystic microfilarial infestation of the liver: a rare presentation

Cystic liver lesions in an adult may occur for a variety of reasons, most of which are benign in nature. Infiltrating benign lesions in the liver parenchyma may pose a clinical challenge in diagnosis and management. In the case presented herein, a cystic lesion adjacent to the gall bladder and involving the liver parenchyma had to be differentiated from gall bladder carcinoma, which is quite common in India. Parasitic infestation of the liver is an extremely rare presentation and may pose a significant challenge in its diagnosis and management. This case highlights an infrequent presentation and the challenges in the clinical approach and subsequent management.

Incidental detection microfilaria in subcutaneous breast nodule of lactating female fnac: a rare case report

Filariasis is a major public health problem which is faced in tropical countries like India. Its diagnosis is made by using peripheral blood smears. However, microfilaria has been detected incidentally during FNACs of various lesions, which were done in clinically unsuspected cases. We are reporting here, an uncommon case of filariasis, which caused a nodular, subcutaneous swelling in left breast of a 30 year old lactating female. A nodular subcutaneous swelling can be caused in breast of a lactating female by lactational associated mastitis, but filaria causing a nodular swelling in a lactating breast is a rare presentation. Aspiration of the swelling demonstrated enormous pathogen presence caused by Woucheria bancrofti and the patient responded well to six weeks of daily anti-filarial treatment with diethylcarbamazine citrate.

Diagnosis of filariasis on cytology: a series of 24 cases

Filariasis has a worldwide distribution, with a special predilection for tropical and subtropical areas. The microfilaria wanders in lymphatics and can be accidentally trapped in the needle during fine-needle aspiration cytology, thus leading to its incidental detection. This is a retrospective study of 24 cases of microfilarial infestation diagnosed on cytology. Accurate recognition and detection of the parasite leads to the institution of specific treatment and prevents chronic manifestations of the disease.

Filariasis of the axilla in a patient returning from travel abroad: a case report

BACKGROUND

The term filariasis comprises a group of parasitic infections caused by helminths belonging to different genera in the superfamily Filaroidea. The human parasites occur mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, but filariae are also found in temperate climates, where they can infect wild and domestic animals. Humans are rarely infected by these zoonotic parasites.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 55-year-old patient presented with a new-onset, subcutaneous, non-tender palpable mass in the right axilla. Ultrasonography showed a 1.3-cm, solid, singular encapsulated node. Sonography of the breast on both sides, axilla and lymphatic drainage on the left side, lymphatic drainage on the right side, and mammography on both sides were without pathological findings. The node was excised under local anesthesia as the patient refused minimal invasive biopsy.

RESULTS

On histopathological examination, the tail of a parasite of the group of filariae was found. The patient revealed that she had stayed in Africa and Malaysia for professional reasons. 6 months before the time of diagnosis, she had also suffered from a fever and poor general condition after a trip abroad. The patient was referred for further treatment to the Institute for Tropical Medicine at the University of Dusseldorf, where a treatment with ivermectin was conducted on the basis of positive staining with antibodies against filariae.

CONCLUSION

Our case demonstrates the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between breast center, pathology, and other specialties such as microbiology and tropical medicine.

Microfilaria in a patient of achylous hematuria: A rare finding in urine cytology

Filariasis is a widespread public health problem seen commonly in tropical countries. Microfilariae have been reported in aspiration smears from various sites. However, it is very rare to detect these organisms in voided centrifuged urine cytology. We, report this rare finding in a 25-year-old patient who presented with achylous hematuria.

Aplastic anaemia with microfilaria in marrow aspirate

Wuchereria bancrofti is endemic in many parts of of south east asia including india. The parasite is reported previously in many aspirate cytology smears, however its rare to find this parasite in bone marrow aspirate smear and even rare is it association with aplastic anemia. We report here a case presenting with symptoms related to bone marrow failure and incidentally detected to have microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti. The case is reported because of this rare association.