A 32-Year-Old Immunocompetent Man With Submandibular Lymphadenopathy

Abstract

Zoonotic filarial infection by Brugia species is an uncommon occurrence in North America. Several Brugia filarial species have been isolated from wild animal reservoirs, particularly rabbits, raccoons, and bobcats. This nematode requires an insect vector to complete its life cycle and to transmit the infection to a definitive host. In endemic areas, Brugia species cause lymphatic filariasis, manifested as lymphadenopathy, lymphedema, and, in some cases, elephantiasis, a deforming sequela of longstanding lymphatic vessel obstruction. In the United States, less than 30 cases of autochthonous filarial infection have been reported in the literature since originally described in 1962. In a review of our files, we found a case of locally acquired Brugia lymphadenopathy. To our knowledge, this is the second case reported in Florida. This case report serves as a review of the epidemiologic, pathologic, and clinical aspects of this parasitic infection.