Short Communication: Analysis of the Spectrum of Glomerular Diseases in Chronic Filariasis Diagnosed in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

Abstract

Introduction: The study presents renal manifestations in chronic filariasis, a substantial health concern in the eastern and north-eastern regions of India. Materials and Methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of a renal biopsy series of patients with chronic filariasis from a tertiary care hospital in Odisha. It involves eight cases of chronic filariasis. Results: Common indications of biopsy were nephrotic syndrome, chyluria, and unexplained renal failure. The mean duration from the diagnosis of filariasis to the onset of glomerular diseases was 15.75 years, SD ± 4.2 years. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Renal histopathology revealed various patterns, including membranous nephropathy, minimal change disease, IGA nephropathy, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Conclusion: The study fills a critical gap in the literature by elucidating renal biopsy findings in chronic filariasis. The multifaceted nature of this disease underscores the need for continued research to understand kidney diseases due to filariasis, especially in endemic regions.