~ 329 ~ International Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Pathology 2019; 2(1): 329-332 ISSN (P): 2617-7226 ISSN (E): 2617-7234 www.patholjournal.com 2019; 2(1): 329-332 Received: 28-11-2018 Accepted: 30-12-2018 Mala Sagar Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Rita Yadav Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Career Institute of Medical Science & Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Madhu Kumar Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Ridhi Jaiswal Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Malti Kumari Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Ajay Kumar Professor, Department of Pathology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Correspondence Rita Yadav Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Career Institute of Medical Science & Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India Clinico-pathological spectrum of filariasis in fine needle aspiration cytology: 7 years retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital of North India Mala Sagar, Rita Yadav, Madhu Kumar, Ridhi Jaiswal, Malti Kumari and Ajay Kumar DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/pathol.2019.v2.i1e.68 Abstract Background: Filarial infestation is common in developing countries like India. It is transmitted by bite of culex mosquito. They usually present with superficial nodular swelling and lymph node enlargement with variety of clinical symptoms, however the index of suspicion is always low. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a very cost effective tool for rapid diagnosis of the disease. It is a retrospective analysis of filarial cases diagnosed on FNAC in the last 7 years to study the clinico- pathological spectrum. Material and Methods: The records of the department of cytology KGMU were searched from Jan 2010 to Dec 2016 and all the cases of filariasis involving different tissues and body fluids were analysed in detail for cytomorphological and clinical features. Results: A total of 32 cases of filariasis were evaluated. Most common age group affected was 30-40 years (range: 12-70 years). Out of 32 cases, 11 cases presented as nodular superficial swellings, 9 cases as lymphadenopathy, 5cases were found in thyroid, 2 cases in breast, 2 cases in salivary gland and each case in testis, lung and ascitic fluid. Majority of cases (62.5%) showed chronic inflammation, 7 cases (21.8%) were associated with malignancies including metastatic as well as primary of various tissues. Microfilariae were also detected with benign phylloides tumor of breast in one case (3.1%) and with colloid goitre thyroid in 4 cases (15.6%). Conclusion: Nodular superficial swelling is the most common presentation; however filarial worms can invade many more organs of the body. It can present solely as granulomatous inflammation or remain asymptomatic and found as an incidental finding. Conventional mode of diagnosis is demonstration of microfilaria in peripheral blood smear and body fluids. Co-existence of microfilaria with neoplastic lesions is rare. Fine needle aspiration cytology plays a vital role in the diagnosis of these lesions. Keywords: Microfilaria, FNAC, neoplastic lesions Manuscript Introduction: Filariasis is endemic in tropical countries like India, China, Indonesia and part of Africa [1, 2] . India contributes ~40% of the global burden and accounts for 50% of the people at risk of infection [3] . In India, disease is especially endemic in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Gujarat. These 9 states contributes to 95% of the total burden [2, 3] . Filarial worm dwell in the skin and subcutaneous tissue (Onchocera volvulus and Loa loa) or the lymphatic system (Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi) [1- 3] . Filariasis is caused by slender thread like filarial worms which belongs to the superfamily of filarioidea. Most common filarial worms are Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, Brugia timori in descending order [3, 4] . In India, most common cause of filiariasis is Wuchereria bancrofti [1-4] . Filariasis is a vector born disease transmitted by female culex mosquitoes [4] . Wuchereria bancroftian filariasis produce a wide range of clinical manifestation according to phase which can be acute or chronic. The acute phase is usually associated with eosinophilia and microfilaremia. The chronic phase presents as lymphadenopathy, lymphedema, hydrocele and elephantiasis [1] . Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is very cost effective tool for rapid diagnosis of subclinical filarial disease [1-5] .