Wuchereria bancrofti Lymphatic Filariasis, Barrancabermeja, Colombia, 2023

Abstract

We describe a recent case of lymphatic filariasis in Colombia caused by Wuchereria bancrofti nematodes. Our study combines clinical-epidemiologic findings with phylogenetic data. Resurgence of lymphatic filariasis may be linked to increasing urbanization trends and migration from previously endemic regions. Fieldwork can be a beneficial tool for screening and containing transmission.

Keywords: Colombia; Wuchereria bancrofti; lymphatic filariasis; mosquito-borne; nematodes; parasites; vector-borne infections.

Figure 1

Images of a 14-year-old patient from Colombia experiencing severe progressive lymphedema caused by a Wuchereria bancrofti nematode infection. A) Patient’s left lower limb, showing generalized lymphedema extending from the foot to the genital region along with erythematous areas involving the left thigh and areas of perimaleolar hypocromia and hypercromia reflective of post-inflammatory trophic skin changes. B) Severe scrotal edema (hydrocele).

Figure 2

Phylogenetic reconstruction of consensus sequences of filaria, generated from a sample collected from a 14-year-old patient in Colombia (bold text). Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene marker was used for this reconstruction. GenBank accession numbers are provided for reference sequences. Numbers along branch lengths indicate measures of support. Scale bar indicates the distance scale.