Haematological studies of lymphatic filariae, Wuchereria bancrofti affected patients in Arakkonam area, Tamil Nadu, India

Filariases are a group of vector – borne parasitic diseases of humans and other animals, caused by long, threadlike worms (hence the name “filaria” from Latin) that in their mature adult stages reside in the lymphatics or in connective tissue. Of the eight filarial parasites that commonly infect man three species account for most of the pathology associated with these infections: the lymphatic dwelling filariae; Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi and the skin dwelling Onchocerca volvolus. A study was undertaken to compare certain haematological parameters viz. Hb content, total blood cell count (RBC and WBC), WBC differential count, platelet count, E.S.R, P.C.V, M.C.V, M.C.H and M.C.H.C between normal persons and filaria affected patients coming for check-up in Primary Health Centres in Arakkonam to find out any specific variations.