Filaria Antigen Test

Filaria Antigen Test and its Function

The Filaria antigen test is a diagnostic test used to detect the presence of antigens associated with filarial infections. Filarial infections are caused by parasitic worms belonging to the family Filarioidea and can lead to diseases such as lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness).

Conditions that may require Filaria Antigen Test

The Filaria antigen test may be required in the following conditions:

Lymphatic Filariasis: This test is primarily used for the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic disease caused by filarial worms. It is endemic in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The Filaria antigen test helps in confirming the presence of active infection and is often used in mass drug administration programs to determine the need for treatment.
Onchocerciasis (River Blindness): Although the Filaria antigen test is primarily used for lymphatic filariasis, it can also be employed in the diagnosis of onchocerciasis. Onchocerciasis is another filarial infection caused by the parasite Onchocerca volvulus. The test can help detect the presence of circulating antigens associated with this disease.

Filaria Antigen Test Procedure

The Filaria Antigen Test is a simple blood test that can be performed in a laboratory. Before the test, the patient may be asked to avoid certain medications that may affect the results. During the test, our healthcare professional will use a needle to draw blood from a vein in the patient's arm. The blood sample will then be sent to our laboratory for analysis.

Interpreting Filaria Antigen Test Results

Positive Result: A positive result indicates the presence of filarial antigens in the tested sample, suggesting an active filarial infection. If the test is positive, further diagnostic tests or examinations may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, determine the species of the filarial parasite, and assess the severity of the infection. Negative Result: A negative result suggests the absence of detectable filarial antigens in the tested sample.