Microfilariae in Humans
Continuing Education Credits
This course describes the significance of medically important microfilariae. Epidemiology, transmission, clinical presentation, and diagnostic laboratory methods are discussed. Morphologic descriptions and ways to differentiate between five clinically significant microfilariae (including Wuchereria, Brugia, Onchocerca, Loa, and Mansonella), as well as an introduction to emerging zoonotic microfilariae are also considered in this module. This module is intended for medical technologists having basic blood parasitology and/or microbiology experience.
Objectives
- Explain the significance of microfilarial infection in humans.
- Discuss epidemiology and transmission.
- Describe the clinical presentation.
- List and describe useful diagnostic laboratory methods.
- Differentiate between clinically significant microfilariae, as well as discuss emerging zoonotic microfilariae.
Course Outline
- Significance of Microfilarial Infection in Humans
- Filariasis: Background
- Filariasis: History
- The history of filariasis appears to go back in time to:
- True or False: Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by cestodes.
- Epidemiology and Transmission
- Epidemiology: Disease Distribution and Populations at Risk
- Transmission
- Life Cycle
- Lymphatic filariasis is defined as a neglected tropical disease. All of the following are characteristics of a neglected tropical disease, except:
- In the transmission of the different filarial species affecting humans, vectors may include the following arthropods:
- The human is known as the definitive host in the life cycle of the filarial parasite. Select the accurate statement:
- Clinical Presentation
- Clinical Presentation
- A hydrocele is one of the four commonly encountered clinical presentations of lymphatic filariasis in humans. What is a hydrocele?
- Less frequently, chyluria may be found in the clinical presentation of lymphatic filariasis in humans. What is chyluria?
- Useful Diagnostic Methods
- Direct Examination: Microscopy
- Nucleic Acid Detection and Other Methods
- Using the direct detection method for diagnosing active infection in the identification of microfilariae using a peripheral blood smear, all of the following statements are true, except:
- True or False: In the United States, specialized molecular, serologic, and rapid diagnostic tests are available in research and certain public health laboratories, but they are not FDA-cleared for clinical use.
- Differentiating Clinically Significant Microfilariae
- Microfilariae: Morphology Overview
- Morphology: Size
- Morphology: Nuclear Column
- Morphology: Anterior
- Morphology: Posterior
- Morphology: Sheath
- Summary of General Morphology Characteristics
- Which statement regarding the length of microfilariae is true?
- True or False: The anterior headspace of microfilariae refers to the amount of space packed tightly with nuclei.
- Wuchereria
- Wuchereria bancrofti
- Wuchereria bancrofti is:
- Brugia
- Brugia malayi
- Brugia timori
- All of the following are synonyms for the infection caused by Brugia malayi, except:
- Loa
- Loa loa
- In Loiasis, what are Calabar swellings?
- Onchocerca
- Onchocerca volvulus
- What is river blindness?
- Mansonella
- Mansonella ozzardi
- Mansonella streptocerca
- Mansonella perstans
- True or False: Regarding Mansonella species, microfilariae are always found in the infected human's peripheral blood.
- Emerging Zoonotic Microfilariae
- Dirofilaria
- Which of the following statements is true about dog heartworm?
- References
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical
laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This
course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information: Dr. Julie Ann West is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) and as a Specialist in Microbiology (SM). In addition, Dr. West has earned a PhD in Public Health with an epidemiology specialization (emphasis on infectious diseases) and is Certified in Public Health (CPH) by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. West is experienced as a Technical Specialist, Safety Officer, Educator, and Lead in the Veterans Administration
Healthcare System, and has prior experience as an Administrative Laboratory Director.
The author has no
conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information:
Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is
a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science
from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction
from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher
education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and
MLS programs.
Christine Mayambala, PhD, is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS). She has earned a PhD in Public Health with a specialization in Epidemiology. Dr. Mayambala is experienced as a Generalist and Molecular Technologist. Dr. Mayambala taught pre-nursing and medical laboratory technology at a community college in Metro Atlanta.
Course Description: This course describes the significance of medically important microfilariae. Epidemiology, transmission, clinical presentation, and diagnostic laboratory methods are discussed. Morphologic descriptions and ways to differentiate between five clinically significant microfilariae (including Wuchereria, Brugia, Onchocerca, Loa, and Mansonella), as well as an introduction to emerging zoonotic microfilariae, are also considered in this module. This module is intended for medical laboratory personnel with basic experience in blood parasitology and/or microbiology.