Given this patient’s history, clinical presentation, eosinophilia (as noted in the complete blood count) and the worm (microfilaria) seen in the peripheral smear, the patient’s diagnosis is most likely filariasis. Filariasis is caused by thread-like nematodes that are transmitted by mosquitos. The diagnostic form for most of these nematodes is the microfilarial larval form of the parasite found in the peripheral blood or tissue depending on the worm. Adult worms are found in the lymphatics in filariasis.
A Routine Physical Examination for a Mother Arriving From India – The Diagnosis
