Parasites (other) – Filaria

Alternative Names/Synonyms	Detection of Filariasis (Brugia spp, Wuchereria bancrofti or Onchocerca volvulus)
Laboratory	Microbiology
Sub-section	Parasitology
Specimen Type	Microscopy ○ Unstained blood slides (thick and thin) AND ○ EDTA blood Serology ○ Whole blood ○ Serum

Other Information

Microscopy
○ Please indicate if patient has had recent travel history or country of origin if a recent refugee or immigrant, fever, hemoglobinuria, immunocompromised, intravascular hemolysis, or renal failure.

Serology
○ Please provide symptoms and onset date on the requisition
○ Acute and convalescent sera (2-3 weeks between collection) may be required for laboratory diagnosis

Specimen Requirements (Tube Type)

○ Unstained blood slides: slide mailer
○ EDTA blood: lavender top tube (min volume 2mL)
○ Whole blood/serum: Serum separator tube (clotted blood) (min volume 5 mL)

Collection Requirements

Whole blood/serum
○ Decontaminate skin with 70% alcohol followed by iodine or chlorhexidine, collect at least 5 mL of blood into appropriate container

Sample Stability

Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery

Referral Laboratory

PHOL

Routine Turnaround Time

○ Microscopy: Up to 2 days
○ Serology: Up to 42 days

Laboratory Contact Information

416-586-4800 extension 4596

Approval Required

Sample Processing / Delivery

○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal..

○ Specimens should be stored and transported to the UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at room temperature (20-25˚C) ASAP following collection.

○ UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory will refer the original positive specimen to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for testing. PHOL will refer serology samples to NRCP.