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Abstract
Lymphatic filariasis is a vector-borne health problem, which have a profound impact on patient{u2019}s lives and can lead to permanent disability. Wuchereria bancrofti (W. bancrofti) is the major cause of filariasis worldwide and is focally endemic in Egypt. Diagnosis of filarial infection using traditional morphologic and immunological criteria can be challenging and lead to misdiagnosis. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was the molecular detection of W. bancrofti in human blood and mosquitoes from selected endemic areas in Egypt. Blood samples were collected from 300 individuals residing in filariasis endemic areas, and were subjected to ELISA for the detection of W. bancrofti antigens and semi-nested PCR targeting W. bancrofti repeated DNA sequences. Mosquito pools from same endemic areas were collected, sorted, and subjected to semi-nested PCR. Additionally, a group of positive PCR products were subjected to DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results revealed that out of the 300 collected blood samples; 7 samples were positive by ELISA (2.3%), 45 samples were positive by semi-nested PCR (15%) and 3 samples were positive by both tests (1%). All the collected mosquito pools were negative. Sequences analysis confirmed semi-nested PCR results; identifying only W. bancrofti species. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis indicated genetically distinct clusters of W. bancrofti among the study population