Background: Filariasis is a communicable tropical disease instigated predominantly by two species of thread-like parasitic roundworms (Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi). The larval form of the parasite transmits the infection by the bite of a mosquito to humans. Exposure to the parasite is a serious public health problem because of acute and chronic morbidity. Bancroftian filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti is widely outspread in the Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India. Vellore district is one of the thirteen highly endemic districts of filariasis. In 2018, 51 million people were infected. However, due to the involvement of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Program, there has been a drastic decline (74%) in the cases.

 

Gap in the current literature: The changes in the haematological and urinary paraments/markers due to the exposure of Bancroftian filariasis are unknown.

 

Aim: Establish the effect of Bancroftian filariasis on various haematological and urinary parameters/markers in humans. 

 

Methodology: The blood and urine samples were collected from patients exposed to filaria in and around the Vellore district (Arcot, Walajapet, Thimiri, Vellore, Sumaithangi, and Gudiyatham) with due consent. Hematological and urine tests were performed using an auto haem analyzer, and urotest – 50.

 

Result: The most susceptible age group for the exposure is above 40 years. Among the various blood group, the blood group ‘O’ was predominant among filarial patients in the current study. Filarial-infected patients showed significant changes in the haematological and urinary parameters. Patients exposed to filaria had haematocrit (HCT) haemoglobin concentration (HGB), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) significantly increased as compared to the controls. Regarding the urine test, there was a significant increase in the calcium and creatinine content. Interestingly, females had significantly higher pathological insults as compared to males.

 

Conclusion: Identification of haematological and urinary markers, can help in the appropriate therapy of filariasis and this can substantially reduce morbidity, decrease the cost of treatment, and increase healthcare.

 

Keywords: Wuchereria bancrofti, haematological analysis, urine analysis, Filariasis,