The Microfilaria test detects the presence of microfilariae — the larval stage of filarial parasitic worms — in the blood. Filariasis is a parasitic disease caused by thread-like worms (nematodes) such as Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori, which are transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
This test is used to diagnose lymphatic filariasis, a leading cause of disability worldwide that can cause lymphedema (swelling of limbs) and hydrocele (fluid accumulation in the scrotum). A peripheral blood smear is examined under a microscope to identify microfilariae. Since filarial worms are typically nocturnal (most active in the blood at night), blood samples are often collected at night or after midnight for optimal detection. Additional tests such as antigen detection tests or PCR may also be used.
