Dear Sir/Madam

Thank you for your interest in our “SEVA FILACHECK” system for immunoscreening of suspected filarial patient . The following are the principal and diagnostic implication of “SEVA FILACHECK” in brief .

  1. FILACHECK test system is based on detecting IgG antibody to microfilarial antigen by indirect ELISA and /or antigen detection by inhibition ELISA .
  2. There is no need for late night collection. Day blood sample collected on filter paper may be used
  3. Presence of antibody or antigen suggests prepatent infection, microfilaremia, infection in recent the resent past or clinical disease. Sensitivity and specificity of the test are more than 80% compared to night blood smear examination in microfilaraemic carriers. The test result must be used as compliment to the clinical information available to the physician.
  4. SEVA FILACHEK, an immunoscreening test is recommended for those patients who are suffering from suspected filarial fever with chills & rigors, malaise, pain and swelling of limbs, lymphnodes, scrotum, vulva, breast and joints, associated with or without raised local temperature of the body. The test is also useful for those in filarial endemic region who are suffering from persistent night cough for more than 10 days and not responding to antibiotics, breathlessness and other conditions include milky urine, unexplained blurring of vision, unexplained sudden pain in abdomen etc. to confirm filarial aetiology.
  5. In the absence of microfilariae in peripheral blood, SEVA FILACHEK has been found to be very useful in quarterly Immunomonitoring of filarial patients for determination of appropriate period of DEC therapy for clinical relief/ cure.

The patients with the following clinical manifestations in filarial endemic areas should be screened for filarial aetiology:

IN CHILDREN: Pulmonary eosinophilia, Pyrexia of unknown origin, Breathlessness/wheezing, persistent dry cough especially nocturnal cough, Acute Bronchial Asthma, Acute Bronchitis, Arthritis etc.

IN ADULTS: Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, Lymphadentis, Pain and swelling in limbs, minimal Hydrocele, Epididymo-orchitis, Funiculitis, Pain and swelling in Joints, Urticaria, Generalised lymphadenopathy, Endomyocardial fibrosis, Occular manifestations i.e. Iridocyclitis, central serous retinopathy, Acute Pain Abdomen and Red coloured urine ( Haematuria).

  1. References:   1.   Harinath et al., Bull of W.H.O., 62 941 (1984).
  2.    Ali Khan et.al., The National Medical J. of India., 3, 265 (1990).
  3.    Harinath & Reddy., J. Parasitic Diseases., 21.41 (1997).

Collection of blood samples;

Blood specimen collected at any time of the day can be used in the test. Collect patient’s finger prick blood (20ml or one drop ) in each of the two circles ( covering the entire area of the circle ) of one filter paper. Similarly collect blood sample from a healthy normal person on the second filter paper. Label the filter papers and send to this department by post for laboratory analysis at the earliest (within 7 days).

Handling charges for the test:

Rs. 90 per specimen. Pay in cash or send crossed DD in the name of ‘A/c CBI Sevagram No. 1784852036, JBTDRC’. Along with the blood samples please send the clinical details as given overleaf for further processing of the blood samples and follow up.