Comparative evaluation of Immunochromatographic Test (ICT) and giemsa-stained blood smear for the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis in a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the most significant public health challenges currently affecting many tropical countries. This parasitic disease is caused by infection with Wuchereria bancrofti, a filarial worm transmitted by mosquitoes. It is estimated that more than 100 million people worldwide are affected by LF, leading to severe health, social, and economic consequences. Aim: -To compare the effectiveness of the Rapid Card Test with Giemsa-stained blood smear in diagnosing suspected cases of filariasis. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients clinically suspected of having filariasis were included in the study. From each patient, 5 mL of venous blood was collected in an EDTA tube. The blood samples were centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 5 minutes. Diagnosis of filariasis was performed using two methods: Thick blood smear stained with Giemsa, Immunochromatographic Rapid Card Test Results: Out of the 60 patients: -100% presented with fever-75% had chills. Others reported symptoms such as pain, swelling in the scrotum, and leg swelling. The Rapid Card Test confirmed 18 cases (30%) as positive for filariasis. In contrast, microscopic examination detected microfilariae in only 5 cases (8.4%), which also tested positive by the card test. In comparison: The Rapid Card Test showed a sensitivity of 30% and specificity of 100%, The Giemsa smear method demonstrated low sensitivity (18%) and accuracy of 82.2% Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the Rapid Card Test, based on immunochromatographic detection, should be incorporated into filariasis control programs. It is more sensitive, convenient, and matches the specificity of traditional microscopic examination. Given the limitations of microscopy in detecting microfilariae, the Rapid Card Test offers a more reliable tool for diagnosing filariasis, especially in field settings or during mass screening efforts.