Filariasis differential diagnosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohammed Abdelwahed M.D[2]

Overview

Lymphatic filariasis must be differentiated from other causes of lower limb edema, such as chronic venous insufficiency, acute deep venous thrombosis, lipedema, myxedema, cellulitis and causes of generalized edema.

Differentiating filariasis from other diseases

Lymphatic filariasis must be differentiated from other causes of lower limb edema like chronic venous insufficiency, acute deep venous thrombosis, lipedema, myxedema, cellulitis and causes of generalized edema.

Diseases	Symptoms							Signs	Gold standard Investigation to diagnose
	History	Onset	Pain	Fever	Laterality	Scrotal swelling	Symptoms of primary disease
Lymphatic filariasis	History of living in endemic area or travelling to it	Chronic	+	+	Bilateral	+	-	Hepatomegaly Lymphedema Elephantiasis Lymphangitis Hydrocele Scrotal elephantiasis Lymphadenopathies Rhonchi may be present in patients with Pulmonary tropical eosinophilia syndrome.	Preparing blood smears Thick smears Thick smears consist of a thick layer of dehemoglobinized (lysed) red blood cells (RBCs). Thick smears allow a more efficient detection of parasites (increased sensitivity). Thin smears consist of blood spread in a layer such that the thickness decrease. By the ultrasound, the following findings can be observed: Dilated lymphatic channels Living worms tend to be in motion which called "filarial dance" sign.
Chronic venous insufficiency	History of untreated varicose veins Painful bilateral lower limb swelling increase with standing and decreased by rest and leg elevation.	Chronic	+	-	Bilateral	+ (If congenial)	-	Typical varicose veins Skin change distribution correlate with varicose veins sites in the medial side of ankle and leg Reduction of swelling with limb elevation.	Duplex ultrasound will demonstrate typical findings of venous valvular insufficiency
Acute deep venous thrombosis	History of prolonged recumbency Classic symptoms of DVT include acute unilateral swelling, pain, and erythema	Acute	+	-	Unilateral	-	May be associated with primary disease mandates recumbency for long duration	Dilated superficial veins Difference in calf diameter were twice as likely to have DVT(most impotant sign ) Calf pain on passive dorsiflexion of the foot Homan's sign) isn't realiable sign.	Compression ultrasonography (CUS) with Doppler is the diagnostic test of choice D-dimer level is used for unprobable cases
Lipedema	Family history especially in women; X-linked dominant or autosomal dominant condition Abnormal deposition of fat and edema and easy bruising.	Chronic	+	-	Bilateral	-	-	Tender with palpation Negative Semmer sign to differentiate from liphedema; Pinching the skin on the upper surface of the toes. If it is possible to grasp a thin fold of tissue the it is negative result. In a positive result, it is only possible to grasp a lump of tissue.	MRI offers strong qualitative and quantitative parameters in the diagnosis of lipedema
Myxedema	History of untreated hypothyroidism Infiltration of the skin with glycosaminoglycans with associated water retention	Chronic	+	-	Bilateral	-	+ (hypothyroidism )	Pretibial myxedema	Thyroid function tests.
(Cellulitis-erysipelas-skin abscess)	Acute painful swelling and may be fever	Acute	+	+	Unilateral	-	-	Tenderness,hotness and may be flactuation if abscess formed. Lymphangitis in nearby lymph nodes. Toxemia and fever in severe cases. Cellulitis involves the deeper dermis erysipelas involves the upper dermis.	Usually it doesn't need any laboratory tests to diagnose. Blood cultures are warranted for patients in the following circumstances: Systemic toxicity Extensive skin or soft tissue involvement Underlying comorbidities persistent cellulitis In patients with recurrent cellulitis, serologic testing for beta-hemolytic streptococci is a good diagnostic tool.
Other causes of generalized edema	History of chronic general condition(cardiac-liver-renal)	Chronic	-	-	Bilateral	-	+		According to the primary cause ( Echo- LFT- RFT)