Incidental Detection of Microfilarae in Cytological Smears

Abstract

Filariasis is a major health problem in endemic areas like India. Detection of microfilaria in cytological smear is unusual and association with malignancy is more uncommon. We present ten cases where microfilaria detected incidentally during examination of cytological samples. Eight of them are benign disease entities while two are malignant in nature. CONCLUSION: Microfilaria is public health problem in tropical region of South-East-Asia including Indian subcontinent. Cytology smear can be a very sensitive and cost effective tool for detection of helminthic etiology in unexplained infective pathology and to provide correct treatment.