Filarial abscess: Aspiration of adult gravid female worm from submandibular region, an unusual presentation

Ruquiya Afrose, Mohammad Feroz Alam, Syed Shamshad Ahmad, Mohammed Naim

Journal of Cytology 2017 34(1):66-68

Microfilaria is a major public health problem in tropical and subtropical countries and is an endemic problem in India. Wuchereria bancrofti is the most common filarial infection. In some cases, microfilariae and adult filarial worm have been incidentally detected in fine-needle aspirates of various lesions; detection of microfilaria from subcutaneous site or from abscess site is even rarer. We here report an unusual case of Bancroftian microfilariasis in a 68-year-old female coming from endemic area presenting with right submandibular abscess. Our aim is to highlight the chances of finding microfilaria and adult worm in cytology of an unsuspected case at an unusual site.

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