JB Tropical Disease Research Centre &
Department of Biochemistry,
MGIMS, SEVAGRAM ( WARDHA ) 440 102
SEVA FILACHEK
( Under Field Study )
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 .
FILACHECK
test system is based on detecting IgG antibody to microfilarial
antigen by indirect ELISA and /or antigen detection by inhibition
ELISA
There
is no need for late night
collection. Day blood sample collected on filter paper may be used
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.
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.
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).
6.
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:
Director
JB
Tropical Disease Research Centre,
MGIMS
, SEVAGRAM- 442 102