Ultrasonographic detection of living adult Wuchereria bancrofti using a 3.5-MHz transducer

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1998 Sep;59(3):399-403. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1998.59.399.

Abstract

Adult Wuchereria bancrofti can be readily detected by ultrasound in the lymphatic vessels of the spermatic cord with a 7.5-MHz transducer, but most ultrasound machines in developing countries are equipped with 3.5-MHz transducers. To assess the potential for ultrasound as a tool for diagnosis and epidemiologic assessment in lymphatic filariasis, we compared the performance of 3.5-MHz and 7.5-MHz transducers in 61 men in Recife, Brazil. All men had three ultrasound examinations using a 3.5 MHz transducer and an examination with a 7.5-MHz probe. Using the 7.5-MHz transducer, adult W. bancrofti were detected in 41 men; 81 adult worm nests were detected. Sixty-four (79%) nests were detected with the 3.5-MHz probe, each on all three examinations. The 3.5-MHz probe correctly identified 35 (85.4%) of 41 men as infected; sensitivity increased with lymphatic vessel diameter. Ultrasonographic examination with a 3.5-MHz transducer is a sensitive method for detection of adult W. bancrofti in men and merits consideration as a tool for rapid epidemiologic assessment.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Brazil
  • Developing Countries
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Lymphangiectasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphangiectasis / parasitology
  • Lymphatic System / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymphatic System / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Spermatic Cord / diagnostic imaging
  • Spermatic Cord / parasitology*
  • Transducers
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wuchereria bancrofti / isolation & purification*