Common Parasite With Uncommon Associations
2011

Filarial Infection in Hematologic Disorders

Sample size: 3 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Sonal Jain, Monica Jasmita Tyagi, Seema Sharma

Primary Institution: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

Hypothesis

Can filarial infections be associated with hematologic malignancies?

Conclusion

Filarial infections can be found incidentally in patients with hematologic malignancies, and should not be overlooked.

Supporting Evidence

  • Filarial infection is endemic in some parts of India.
  • Microfilariae were found in bone marrow smears of patients with hematologic malignancies.
  • Two of the three cases had an immunocompromised state.

Takeaway

Sometimes, people with blood cancers can also have a common parasite without knowing it, and doctors need to check for it.

Methodology

Case reports of three patients with hematologic disorders where filarial infection was detected.

Limitations

The study is based on a small number of cases.

Participant Demographics

Three male patients aged 40 to 71 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.4084/MJHID.2011.015

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