Case Representation and Occurrence of Lymphatic Filariasis in two Blocks of Purulia District (West Bengal, India)
1 Parasitology and Microbiology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Burdwan, Burdwan-713104, India
2Laboratory of Microbiology and Experimental Medicine, Department of Zoology, University of Gour Banga, Malda-732103, India
Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis (LF), which occurs in the tropical and sub-tropical world, also prevails in various parts of West Bengal state (India), but
updated information are not available in scientific literature from the studied region (Purulia district, West Bengal). This preliminary study reports
the occurrence of varied form of the disease in two blocks of Purulia: Bandwan and Manbazar II. Among a total of 27 LF cases, 17 were male,
who represented hydrocele (n=11) and the leg swelling (n=6), and 10 were females: 8 representing leg swelling and two hand swelling. No
male patient had hand swelling, while among 8 female patients with leg swelling, one additionally had hand swelling. In addition, this paper
represents a case of 62 year male individual suffering from LF for almost last 50 years and having a combination of indigenous treatment
with plant extracts, homeopathic as well as allopathic drugs. The comparatively higher rate of infection among males might be due to their
susceptibility to the disease or more exposure to the mosquito bites. Further, extensive surveillance of the disease, and community awareness as
well as health education are needed in order to combat the disease and related stigma from this part of the globe.
