Filariasis in an infant with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a rare enigma

Abstract

Filariasis, a tropical parasitic infection, is a common public health problem in the Indian sub-continent. Occurrence of filariasis with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is unusual, particularly in infants, since filariasis has a long incubation period of about 1 year. Though, there are case reports of leishmaniasis, malaria and other vector borne diseases seen in association with leukemias, filariasis co-existing with ALL has not been documented to the best of our knowledge. We report an incidental finding of Bancroftian filariasis in an 11 month old female already diagnosed as B-cell ALL.

Unusual case of bancroftian filariasis co-existing with chronic myeloid leukemia

“…[1] Microfilaria of W. bancrofti and B. malayi occurring in India displays a nocturnal periodicity, i.e., they appear in large numbers at night and retreat from the peripheral blood stream during the day. [4,5] The maximum density in blood is reported between 10 p.m and 2 a.m in blood capillaries. [4] Microfilaremia is diagnosed primarily through direct observation in peripheral blood, using gold standard known as the finger prick test.…”

“…[4,5] The maximum density in blood is reported between 10 p.m and 2 a.m in blood capillaries. [4] Microfilaremia is diagnosed primarily through direct observation in peripheral blood, using gold standard known as the finger prick test. [4] As Dipetalonema perstans, M. ozzardi are not sheathed and B. malayi and L. loa have nuclei in the tail tip, the diagnosis of microfilaria W. bancrofti was made.…”

“…[4] Microfilaremia is diagnosed primarily through direct observation in peripheral blood, using gold standard known as the finger prick test. [4] As Dipetalonema perstans, M. ozzardi are not sheathed and B. malayi and L. loa have nuclei in the tail tip, the diagnosis of microfilaria W. bancrofti was made. [6] Laboratory diagnosis of microfilaria is conventionally made by demonstration in peripheral blood smear.…”