Filariasis in pregnancy: Prevalent yet less-known global health burden

Abstract

Parasitic infections affect tens of millions of pregnant women worldwide. Lymphatic filariasis is a vector-borne disabling parasitic infection and is an endemic disease in many parts of Southeast Asia, especially South India, with most infections caused by Wuchereria bancrofti. The aim of this article is to present a rare case of incidental filariasis in pregnancy with unexpected outcome. We report a normotensive 45-year-old multigravida with 7 months gestation, moderate anemia, fever, inguinal lymphadenopathy, and elephantiasis. Her peripheral smears were positive for microfilaria while ultrasound revealed intrauterine fetal death and chronic abruption. She was negative on risk factors for abruption, except for advanced maternal age. This case warrants more global attention to the management of parasitic infection in pregnancy.