Abstract
Human dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the filarial nematodes of dogs Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis. Depending on the species involved, human infections usually manifest as one cutaneous or visceral larva migrans that forms a painless nodule in the later course of disease. Dirofilariae are endemic in the Mediterranean, particularly in Italy. They are considered as emerging pathogens currently increasing their geographical range. We present one of the few known cases of human dirofilariasis caused by D. repens in Romania. The patient developed unusual and severe clinical manifestations that mimicked pathological conditions like cellulitis or deep venous thrombosis.
Highlights
Human dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Dirofilaria [1,2,3]
Human dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the filarial nematodes of dogs Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis
We present a case of human D. repens infection with an atypical presentation that was most likely acquired in Romania
Summary
Human dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by parasites of the genus Dirofilaria [1,2,3]. Dirofilariae are a group of filarial nematodes infecting various carnivores as definitive hosts. Humans may be infected as aberrant hosts, mainly by Dirofilaria (D.) immitis and D. repens. The definitive hosts of D. repens and D. immitis are dogs, but other animals have been reported as reservoirs of the disease (cats, wolves, bears, foxes, etc.) [1, 3]. In human infections usually just one larva develops, which does not reach fertility [2, 3]. D. repens usually resides subcutaneously, while D. immitis frequently ends up in the human lung. We report a human D. repens infection from Romania, which produced an atypical and severe clinical picture
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