Abnormal lymphatic function in presymptomatic bancroftian filariasis

J Infect Dis. 1995 Apr;171(4):997-1001. doi: 10.1093/infdis/171.4.997.

Abstract

Despite the common association of filarial infection with elephantiasis, the great majority of those infected are in fact clinically asymptomatic microfilariae carriers. The assumption has been that infection but not disease exists in these presymptomatic persons. In an area Brazil where Wuchereria bancrofti is endemic, flow studies done with dynamic radionuclide lymphoscintigraphy were used to compare 30 limbs from asymptomatic microfilaremic subjects with 16 control limbs. Geometric mean values for T1/2 (19.8 vs. 37.7 min; P < .001), appearance time (7.9 vs. 27.9 min; P < .001), percent uptake at the region of interest (0.67% vs. 0.14%; P < .001), and peak activity (62.6 vs. 2.6 cps; P < .001) each indicated an enhanced pattern of rapid, increased lymph flow in asymptomatic microfilaremic subjects. The abnormal lymphatic function in these subjects indicates that current passive intervention strategies may need to change if the debilitating sequelae of this parasitic infection are to be avoided.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Groin
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymph Nodes / physiopathology
  • Lymphatic System / physiopathology*
  • Lymphoscintigraphy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Wuchereria bancrofti*