A delayed diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis in a returned traveller from the Philippines

Authors

  • George P Drewett Department of Infectious Diseases, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia; Department of Medicine, Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia; Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
  • Hedayat Pourhadi Department of Infectious Diseases, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
  • Jordan Kahn Department of Infectious Diseases, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
  • Shio Yen Tio Department of Infectious Diseases, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia
  • Craig Aboltins Department of Infectious Diseases, Northern Health, Epping, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.014

Keywords:

Wuchereria bancrofti, australia, lymphoedema, travel medicine, tropical medicine, lymphatic filariasis

Abstract

A 71-year-old Australian-born man with previous extended travel to the Philippines presented with bilateral lymphoedema, fevers and rigors. Examination of a nocturnal blood film revealed microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti, confirming a diagnosis of Bancroftian filariasis. This case highlights the challenges of diagnosing and managing lymphatic filariasis in non-endemic regions.

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References

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Published

19/02/25

How to Cite

Drewett, George P, Hedayat Pourhadi, Jordan Kahn, Shio Yen Tio, and Craig Aboltins. 2025. “A Delayed Diagnosis of Lymphatic Filariasis in a Returned Traveller from the Philippines”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 49 (February). https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2025.49.014.

Issue

Vol. 49 (2025)

Section

Case report

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