Eurofins Biomnis code

FIL

Synonyms

• Onchocerciasis
• Mansonella perstans
• Loa loa filariasis
• Filaria

Clinic significance

Parasitic infections due to nematode filaria which are very common in the Tropics. Diverse diseases are caused by the different species:
- Wucheraria bancrofti and Brugia malayi reside in lymphatic vessels and cause elephantiasis;
- Loa Loa resides in subcutaneous connective tissue and can induce edematous swellings;
- Onchocerca volvulus causes subcutaneous nodules and can progress to blindness.
Serology is useful for Onchocerciasis and Loaiasis diagnosis. This test offers a poor detection of lymphatic filariasis and may be subject to crossed-reaction with strongyloides, echinococcus and anisakiasis. It does not allow a species diagnosis.
Diagnosis must be made by microfilariae detection in dermic juice (onchocerciasis) or in blood (other filariasis) according to their periodicity.
Definitive diagnosis depends on detecting microfilaria in a slit-smear (onchocerciasis) or in the blood (other forms or filariasis).

Prenalytics

• 1 mL
• serum (do not use 10 mL tube)
• Refrigerated

Further information

Methodology

Enzyme-immunoassay

Turnaround time

1 week