What tests are used to confirm a diagnosis of filariasis?

The confirmation of a filariasis diagnosis is primarily achieved through the identification of microfilariae in the blood, which is the presence of larval stages of the filarial worms circulating in the bloodstream. This method involves taking a blood sample, typically at night when the microfilariae are most abundant, and examining it under a microscope. If these larvae are detected, it serves as definitive evidence for the presence of filarial infection.

While imaging techniques such as CT scans and ultrasounds can provide supporting information regarding the presence of complications or associated conditions (like lymphatic obstruction or other ailments caused by the larvae), they do not confirm the diagnosis of filariasis itself. Similarly, skin scraping is generally used for diagnosing other types of infections or conditions, such as fungal infections or ectoparasites, rather than filariasis. Therefore, the identification of microfilariae in blood is the gold standard test for confirming this parasitic infection.