The traditional method of diagnosing @entity281 is to examine blood or skin samples for microfilariae and for many this is still the standard procedure. However, since the present global campaign to eliminate @entity3754 new diagnostic tools have emerged like PCR, antigen detection using finger-prick blood taken during the day and ultrasound to visualize adult worms. The last two can be applied in endemic countries with limited resources and enable the detection of early infections. As well as their value in control schemes, the latter is particularly important for the individual since recent research has shown that damage is usually caused long before symptoms appear. The usefulness in different situations and the advantages and disadvantages of the various new tools for diagnosis of @entity3754 are discussed. For @entity6600 , immunodiagnostic methods have not been very successful but repetitive DNA sequences in the Loa genome have been found to be species specific. Techniques based on them are particularly useful for diagnosing cases of @entity281 without microfilaraemia. There have been no advances in the diagnosis of Mansonella perstans but both immunodiagnostic and PCR tests show promise in differentiating M. streptocerca, and the latter in differentiating M.ozzardi, from Onchocerca. In addition to the @entity1 filariae, the @entity235 parasites @entity5475 and D. repens can also occur in @entity1 but do not produce microfilariae in them. ELISAs and PCR probes have been devised and can usefully differentiate between @entity2 .

Diagnosis of XXXX filariases (except onchocerciasis).

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['humans', 'human'] @entity235 :: ('9615', 'Species') :: ['dog'] @entity3754 :: ('MESH:D004605', 'Disease') :: ['lymphatic filariasis'] @entity2 :: ('MESH:D008175', 'Disease') :: ['pulmonary dirofilariasis and lung cancer'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['filarial infections', 'occult infection'] @entity6600 :: ('MESH:D008118', 'Disease') :: ['loiasis'] @entity5475 :: ('6287', 'Species') :: ['Dirofilaria immitis']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['human']
