DEC (diethylcarbamazine) provocation test

  • DEC (diethylcarbamazine) provocation test is used in the diagnosis of lymphatic filariasis
  • The usual method for confirming filariasis is by demonstrating microfilariae in night blood specimens ( due to the nocturnal periodicity)
  • In case it is not possible to obtain night blood specimens, DEC provocation test can be done
  • In this, 50-100 mg of DEC is given to a patient and a blood sample is taken 30-45 minutes later for looking for the presence of microfilariae
  • DEC is a drug used in the treatment of filariasis and it flushes out the microfilariae into the peripheral circulation
  • It is suggested that the sensitivity is comparable to that of testing with night blood specimens