THE MICROFILARIAL PERIODIC PATTERN OF WUCHERERIA-BANCROFTI IN KENYA

Microfilarial periodic pattern of Wuchereria bancrofti in Kenya was co nfirmed by the statistical method proposed by Aikat and Das (1977). Fi fteen microfilarial positive individuals were brought to Nairobi from Malindi, which is one of the filariasis foci on the coastal area of Ke nya. From each individual a 60-mu l finger prick blood film was made e very 2 hours throughout one complete 24-hour cycle. The blood films we re dried for at least 4 8 hours and dehaemoglobinized. The fluid was f iltered using Nuclepore membrane to recover any detached microfilariae . The films were stained with Giemsa and microfilariae were counted. T he peak time was 0056 h (4 minutes to 1 a.m.) and the periodicity inde x was 117.08, confirming the nocturnal periodicity.