Microfilaria Detection Test

Detection of microfilaria is done for diagnosing Filariasis disease, which is caused due to parasitization by a thread like fusiform worms called microfilariae. The embryos that circulate in lymphatic tissues and blood are called as microfilaria and it leads to conditions like Lymphangitis, Lymphadenitis, Elephantiasis and Tropical eosinophilia. The microfilariae are detected by microscopic examination of the blood smear. These worms can also be detected by examining skin snips under the microscope.

Wear a half-sleeved shirt on as full-sleeved shirt might pose difficulty in pulling up the sleeves. Do not wear sweater or jacket. No special preparation is required for this test and you can continue any medication that you are taking by informing your doctor. If skin snips or a punch biopsy is required then the necessary arrangements must be made for the procedure. The microfilariae are active during night hence blood sample must be collected between 12 midnight to 2 am and tested immediately. If your blood sample is needed for other tests then fasting may be required in some cases. Please kindly follow the instructions given by the lab.

The detection of microfilaria is done to diagnose Filariasis disease and other conditions caused by the microfilariae worm like Lymphangitis, Lymphadenitis, Elephantiasis and Tropical eosinophilia.

If no microfilariae are detected in blood, then the possibility of filariasis can be ruled out. If microfilariae are detected in the blood, then the filariasis disease is confirmed.

About 1 ml or just 2 teaspoons of the blood sample will be drawn from your body. This test needs to be conducted in a well-equipped diagnostic lab or medical centre with microscopic test facility. The skin is cleaned on the arm with an alcohol pad. In the next step, the needle will be inserted into the body through the vein which is easily visible over the cleaned skin. The blood sample will be collected through the tube attached to the needle. The tube is separated from the needle and closed with a lid and with the patient’s name on it. The blood sample is finally sent to the research laboratory for testing.