Microfilariae in association with neoplastic lesions: report of five cases

A Rare Co-existent Case of Splenic Microfilariasis and Pancreatic Solid Pseudopapillary Epithelial Neoplasm - A Double Jeopardy!

Filariasis is a major public health concern in tropical and subtropical countries like India with Wuchereria bancrofti accounting for 90% of lymphatic filariasis. Rarely observed are extra lymphatic manifestations caused by interaction of immune system with microfilaria and their diffusible products. Among various organs involved, splenic involvement is a rare extra lymphatic manifestation of filariasis and can masquerade clinicoradiologically as metastasis when associated with a known malignancy or as a primary malignancy like lymphoma. Hereby, we present an unusual case of coincidence of splenic filariasis with pancreatic solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm in a 20-year-old woman associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia.

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.

Incidental Finding of Microfilariae in Cervicovaginal Smears on Liquid-based Cytology - A Case Report of two Cases with Review of Literature

Filariasis is a vector-borne disease, which is quite common in tropical countries such as India. In India, it is most commonly caused either by Wuchereria bancrofti or Brugia malayi. It can present in any possible site, possibly, because of their ability to migrate along the lymphatics. Very few cases have been reported in the literature where microfilariae have been found in cervicovaginal smears. Most of the cases have been reported on conventional Pap smears. Here, we present two such cases where microfilaria was found as an incidental finding in liquid-based cytology preparation.

Microfilaria in urine cytology: Report of three cases with review of literature

Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem in the developing countries. In India, around 90% of the cases are attributed to Wuchereria bancrofti species morphologically identified as sheathed parasites with tail tip free of nuclei. Microfilariae have been described in urine specimens from patients with chylous and achylous hematuria as well as in a spectrum of other body fluids. Case reports describe their presence in aspirates from numerous neoplasms. However, their association with urothelial carcinoma in urine sediment has been rather rare with only three cases described previously. We report three cases of filariasis in urine cytology, one of which was associated with atypical urothelial cells. Our aim is to stress on the possibility of concomitant filariasis in body fluids and aspirates with other significant findings, especially in endemic areas. Identification of the same renders complete diagnosis and proper treatment to the patient.

Fine-needle aspiration of axillary swelling: Cytodiagnosis of an unusual presentation of filariasis

Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is not routinely used for its identification. However, it has been detected incidentally, while doing FNAC for the evaluation of other lesions. We describe a presentation of occult filariasis with microfilariae (mf) in an isolated axillary swelling wherein FNAC was helpful in establishing the diagnosis.

Rare association of microfilaria with poorly differentiated mucin-secreting metastatic carcinoma in liver aspirate cytology

Filariasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD), is mainly caused by nematodes-Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and B. timori Apart from profoundly disabling and disfiguring major clinical manifestations-lymphoedema, elephantiasis and hydrocoele-asymptomatic microfilaremia is common in endemic areas. Despite this, it is very rare to detect microfilariae in body fluids or aspirates. As per the literature search, this is the third case documenting incidental detection of microfilariae with metastatic deposits in the liver aspirate. Here, a 35-year-old man underwent image-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of liver nodule. Liver aspirate cytology revealed poorly differentiated mucin-secreting metastatic carcinoma and coincidental presence of microfilariae of W. bancrofti Recently, microfilaria has frequently been found to be associated with the debilitated, immunocompromised condition and various neoplasm/cancer/malignancy. Hence, meticulous investigation should be undertaken to search for hidden pathology, whenever microfilariae are detected; and to deeply scrutinise aspirates for such parasites always, especially in endemic regions.

Microfilaria Infection in Metastatic Node in a Case of Breast Carcinoma

Filariasis is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries such as India. It is caused by nematodes, principally Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi and is transmitted by the Culex mosquito. W.bancrofti accounts for 90% of cases of lymphatic filariasis. Filaria of the breast with axillary lymphadenopathy and lymphedema, mimicking breast carcinoma has been previously reported. Microfilariae have also been previously observed as coincidental findings with various inflammatory and neoplastic lesions. Few examples are hemangiomas of the liver, meningiomas, intracranial hemangioblastomas, uterine cervix, pharyngeal, urinary bladder, preputial and metastatic carcinomas, melanomas, and leukemia.Here, we report an unusual case of filarial infection of a metastatic axillary node in a case of invasive breast carcinoma, observed in a modified radical mastectomy specimen. Previous cases reported in literature have reported microfilaria in metastatic axillary node detected on cytology specimens; histological diagnosis, though reported, is rare.

Cytological findings of microfilariae in different sites: A retrospective review of 22 cases from endemic region

Background:

Filariasis is a major health problem in India. Despite the high prevalence, microfilariae are rarely found in cytology smears. Most of the cases are incidentally found, solely or in association with other pathologies.

Aims and Objectives:

The study was undertaken to analyze the prevalence and cytology findings of cases of incidentally found microfilariae in cytology smears (fine-needle aspiration cytology [FNAC]/body fluids) from different body parts.

Materials and Methods:

This was a retrospective study over 5 years, where the cases of microfilariae in aspirates from swelling of different locations and body fluids were reviewed, and clinic-pathological data were analyzed.

Results and Analysis:

Out of 16,738 cases of FNAC and 882 cases of fluid cytology, 22 cases (0.124%) of incidental finding of microfilaria were documented in cytology smears. The cases were diagnosed from lymph nodes (5 cases), skin and soft tissue (4 cases), scrotal (4 cases), breast (3 cases), thyroid (2 cases), and pleural fluid (2 cases). We found eosinophilia in 15 cases (68.18%) of filarial lesions. We found two cases of incidental findings of microfilariae in association with malignant lesions.

Conclusion:

Filariasis should be considered as differential diagnosis of swelling of lymph nodes, skin, soft tissue, inguinoscrotal region, and other sites as well. Careful screening of cytology smears may help in detection of incidental cases in the association of other pathologies.

Circulating microfilariae in haematological malignancies: do they have a role in pathogenesis?

Filariasis is very common in tropical countries. It is endemic in the coastal areas of India. We report four cases of haematological malignancy where peripheral blood and bone marrow smears did not show any microfilariae but conventional cytogenetic preparations from all the four cases showed the presence of parasites. Their morphology confirmed the diagnosis of all cases as bancroftian filariasis. Therefore all types of cytogenetic preparations should be screened carefully in the endemic areas along the coastal zones of India for the presence of this parasite.

Coexistence of microfilaria with metastatic adenocarcinomatous deposit from breast in axillary lymph node cytology: A rare association

Filariasis is a global social health problem of tropical and sub tropical countries like India. W.bancrofti accounts for 95% of cases of lymphatic filariasis. Microfilaria in cytosmears are a rare finding. We report a case of 55 year old female presented with right axillary swelling with ipsilateral breast lump. Cytosmears from the lymph node aspirate showed metastatic adenocarcinomatous deposits and a bunch of microfilariae surrounding the tumor cells and the aspirate from the breast shows ductal carcinoma. We report an additional case of a rare association of microfilaria co-existing with carcinomatous deposit in the lymph node.

Filarial hydropneumothorax: a strange journey

Filarial infection can have varied manifestations, but hydropneumothorax at presentation has not yet been reported. A 28-year-old man presented to our hospital with heaviness of the left chest for the past 10 days, which was preceded by a sudden, short stabbing pain in the left chest after straining. Chest X-ray revealed left-sided hydropneumothorax. A peripheral blood picture revealed significant eosinophilia. A pleural fluid report also showed eosinophilia and a few motile microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti. Microfilaria was also documented in peripheral blood. There was no evidence of other organ system involvement. The patient was diagnosed with 'Filarial Hydropneumothorax'. After treatment with a temporary chest drain and oral diethylcarbamazine citrate, there was dramatic relief of symptoms and radiological improvement. The patient has been symptom free with no features of recurrence through 8 months of follow-up.

Pleural effusion: An unusual cause and association

Filaria has a wide spectrum of presentation. We hereby present a case of Filarial pleural effusion that is a rarity in itself. Filarial lung involvement is usually in the form of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia with pulmonary infiltrates and peripheral eosinophilia, unlike our case where isolated pleural effusion of Filarial etiology was detected. Microfilaria has been isolated from Pleural fluid in very few cases, and ours was one such. Of late, there have been many incidental detections of Filarial parasites from varied anatomical sites in association with malignancy. Even in our case, we had one such unusual association.

Microfilaria in cytological smears at rare sites coexisting with unusual pathology: A series of seven cases

Filariasis is a major public health problem in India and microfilaria is sometimes seen during routine fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) smears, but it is very rare to find microfilaria coexistent with neoplastic lesions. Here we report a series of seven cases in which microfilaria is associated with neoplastic lesions. Out of these seven cases one is benign and six are malignant. Also we first time report the microfilaria coexistent with parotid pleomorphic adenoma, undifferentiated carcinoma thyroid and gall bladder carcinoma.

Microfilaruria in a patient of intermittent chyluria

Besides peripheral blood smears, microfilariae have been described in aspirate smears from different sites. Identification of microfilariae in the chylous urine of otherwise asymptomatic filarial patients has been rarely described. One such case is presented.

Microfilaria in liver aspiration cytology: an extremely rare finding

Filariasis is a common public health problem in the Indian subcontinent. The diagnosis can be made conventionally by demonstrating microfilaria in peripheral blood smears. Despite its high incidence it is unusual to find microfilariae in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology smears. Microfilariae have been reported in cytological specimens of various organs, but it is extremely rare to find microfilaria in fine FNA cytology of liver. We report seventh case of microfilaria in liver aspirate in a male patient suffering from gallbladder cancer.

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

Filariasis is a major health problem in tropical countries like India. Detection of microfilariae or adult worm or egg in FNAC is very unusual despite the high incidence of this parasite in endemic zone. The aim of this study was to document the value of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in diagnosis of filaria at all possible sites presenting as mass or swelling. Fourteen patients (nine males and five females) in the age range of 14-61 years were subjected to FNAC. FNA from swellings was done using 22-gauge needles fitted with 10 or 20 ml disposable plastic syringes. The slides were stained with May-Grunwald-Giemsa stain, Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain, and Papanicolaou (Pap) stain. In total, 14 cases of filariasis were detected, which included subcutaneous swellings (six cases), epididymis/spermatic cord nodules (four cases), breast lumps (two cases), lymph nodes (one case), and thyroid swelling (one case). Larvae (microfilariae), eggs, and adult worms were detected in cytological smears. Microfilaria was present in all 14 cases whereas adult worm was found in three cases only. In four cases, eggs were seen in the smears. None of the patients was microfilariaemic and significant eosinophilia (>10%) was seen seen in two patients. Filarisis should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis of swelling in endemic area. Identification of the parasite, Wuchereria bancrofti, in FNA smears and accurate diagnosis of filaria is important to employ proper treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment prevents the more severe manifestation of the disease, lymphatic filariasis.

Lymphatic filariasis: new insights and prospects for control

Although lymphatic filariasis remains among the major causes of disability among the tropical infectious diseases, dramatic advances have been made in the approach to its diagnosis, epidemiology and treatment, in our understanding of the molecular composition of the parasites that cause these infections, and in the factors underlying the pathology seen. Superimposing the tools of modern epidemiology, immunology, and molecular biology on field-based clinical trials has allowed the emergence of the concept of elimination of lymphatic filariasis. Much of the important new research emphasizes parasite development in the context of the host response, the importance of both the adult worm and other factors in the pathogenesis of lymphatic filarial disease, the role the Wolbachia endosymbiont holds as both a target for drug treatment and in inducing post-treatment reactions, and the various principles underlying the implementation of control programs.