Impact of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) on Hemoglobin Content and Anemia: A Cross-Sectional Based Study

Abstract

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a vector-borne chronically disabling parasitic infection causing elephantiasis, lymphedema, and hydrocele. The infection is endemic in 83 countries worldwide, with more than 1.2 billion people at risk and 120 million already infected. LF is caused by thread-like adult parasitic worms, which live in the human lymphatic system and causes swelling of the scrotum, male genitalia, breast and limbs. It is caused by tissue-dwelling nematode worms belonging to the order “Filariidea” which is transmitted to man by the infective bites of blood sucking mosquitoes. About 90% of these infections are caused by Wuchereria bancrofti.  There are limited number of reports available describing the presence of microfilaria in bone marrow. There is a report a young patient who developed aplastic anemia following varicella infection, and peripheral blood and bone marrow showed many microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti. This experiment was designed to assess hemoglobin content by sex; and anemic condition by age and sex among 119 case respondents and 102 controls.  Hemoglobin level was found to be a bit better among case respondents than controls. By sex, hemoglobin level was better among males than females in both case respondents and control groups. Among case respondents 6-59 months age male group and 5-9 years age female group was found anemic. But in control group all the male respondents in all age groups and only one female in 5-9 years age group were found anemic.

Keywords: Hemoglobin, Anemia and Lymphatic Filariasis.