Filaria Antibody

This test is done for the identification of microfilariae in the blood, a filarial larva present in infected mosquitoes. Microfilariae impair the functioning of the lymphatic system and this condition is known as lymphatic filariasis. These circulate in the body at night hence a blood sample should be collected at night.This test detects the elevated levels of antifilarial IgG4 antibodies in the blood.

Symptoms of the infection include grossly swollen limbs, pitting of the skin and sometimes swelling in genitals can also be seen in acute infection cases.

Untreated filariasis may lead to medical conditions such as chyluria, hydrocele, lymphedema and elephantiasis.