Abstract
BackgroundDirofilaria repens is a filarioid nematode transmitted by mosquitoes. Adult D. repens are typically localized in the subcutaneous tissue of the host, but other, atypical localizations have also been reported. There have been several reports of clinical cases involving an association of parasites and hernias in both animals and humans. However, it is unclear if parasitic infection can act as a triggering factor in the development of hernias.MethodsA 12-year-old dog was referred to a private veterinarian clinic in Satu Mare, northwestern Romania due to the presence of a swelling in the lateral side of the penis (inguinal area). The dog underwent hernia repair surgery during which four long nematodes were detected in the peritoneal serosa of the inguinal hernial sac. One female specimen was subjected to genomic DNA extraction to confirm species identification, based on amplification and sequencing of a 670-bp fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Treatment with a single dose of imidacloprid 10% + moxidectin 2.5% (Advocate, Bayer AG) was administered.ResultsThe nematodes were morphologically identified as adult D. repens, and the BLAST analyses revealed a 100% nucleotide similarity to a D. repens sequence isolated from a human case in Czech Republic.ConclusionsWe report a case of an atypical localization of D. repens in the peritoneal cavity of a naturally infected pet dog with inguinal hernia and discuss the associations between hernia and parasitic infections.Graphical
Highlights
Dirofilaria repens is a filarioid nematode transmitted by mosquitoes
Adult nematodes are typically localized in the subcutaneous tissues of the host where they freely move while microfilariae circulate in the blood stream where they are ingested by female mosquitoes [2,3,4,5]
The abdominal ultrasound performed at the first visit did not reveal any specific abnormalities, with the exception of an inguinal hernia
Summary
Dirofilaria repens is a filarioid nematode transmitted by mosquitoes. Adult D. repens are typically localized in the subcutaneous tissue of the host, but other, atypical localizations have been reported. There have been several reports of clinical cases involving an association of parasites and hernias in both animals and humans. It is unclear if parasitic infection can act as a triggering factor in the development of hernias. Adult nematodes are typically localized in the subcutaneous tissues of the host where they freely move while microfilariae circulate in the blood stream where they are ingested by female mosquitoes [2,3,4,5].
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