Clinical correlates of filarial infection in Haitian children: an association with interdigital lesions

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2005 Oct;73(4):759-65.

Abstract

To assess clinical findings associated with Wuchereria bancrofti infection, 192 school children in a filariasis-endemic area of Haiti underwent physical and ultrasonographic examinations and testing for circulating filarial antigen (CFA). The CFA-positive children were more likely than CFA-negative children to have severe interdigital lesions (> or = 1 macerated lesion with involvement of > or = 4 toe web spaces) (P < 0.0001) and inguinal (P = 0.003) or crural (P = 0.004) lymph node pathology. In multivariate analysis, CFA positivity remained a significant predictor for severe interdigital lesions (P = 0.006) and inguinal lymph node pathology (P = 0.05). Ultrasound detected adult worms and lymphangectasia (diameter = 2.0-4.0 mm) in 11 (10.8%) CFA-positive children. Among CFA-positive children, ultrasonographic detection of adult worms was associated with inguinal (P = 0.01) and crural (P = 0.004) lymph node pathology and advanced pubertal stage (sexual maturity rating = 3-5) (P = 0.02). This is the first study to associate interdigital lesions with filarial infection in children.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Helminth / blood*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / diagnostic imaging
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / epidemiology
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / parasitology
  • Elephantiasis, Filarial / pathology*
  • Female
  • Haiti / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology*
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Toes / diagnostic imaging
  • Toes / parasitology
  • Toes / pathology*
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wuchereria bancrofti / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth