Human Dirofilariasis Research Articles

Dirofilaria in a cervical lymph node in Israel

A specimen of a filarial worm was found in an enlarged painless cervical lymph node removed from a 29 year old patient in Israel. On the basis of its macroscopic and microscopic appearance, the worm was positively identified as Dirofilaria conjunctivae. This is the first case of Dirofilaria found in a human lymph node and the third case of human dirofilariasis reported in Israel.

Human Pulmonary Dirofilariasis Presenting as a Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

A case of human pulmonary dirofilariasis had positive serologic testing postoperatively. Increased awareness of this entity as a cause of solitary pulmonary nodules may lead to preoperative serologic and intradermal testing, and to the possibility of arriving at a preoperative diagnosis.

Human Pulmonary Dirofilariasis

We have recently observed the 35th case of pulmonary dirofilariasis, the dog heartworm, in a human being. The clinical course was similar to that in other patients and included hemoptysis without other systemic complaints. The initial chest x-ray film was interpreted as suggestive of neoplasm, with definitive diagnosis made only following thoracotomy. The patient remains well one year after resection of the involved lobe. The clinical and pathologic features of human dirofilariasis are reviewed with some comparison to the dog, as well as a review of the literature.

Meningeal Irritation, Hemoptysis, and Eosinophilia—A Case of Human Dirofilariasis?

There is no evidence that Dirofilaria can complete a life cycle and produce microfilaremia in humans. Our patient raises an interesting question. How frequently might dog owners develop otherwise unexplained eosinophilia, Loffler syndrome, and symptoms of meningeal irritation with pleocytosis due to dirofilarial infestations? Dirofilarial infestation as a cause of coin lesion on chest x-ray film has been emphasized, but other more subtle symptoms, signs, and serologic evidence alone make a definite diagnosis of human dirofilariasis difficult. ( JAMA 228:1018-1019, 1974)

Pulmonary Dirofilariasis

The two cases of human pulmonary dirofilariasis reported bring the number of cases published in the English literature to 21. As in most cases of pulmonary dirofilariasis, these two patients presented roentgenologically single noncalcified coin lesions and required thoracotomy for diagnosis. Pathologically, the lesions were rounded ischemic infarcts associated with pulmonary arterial thrombosis due to a nematode identified as Dirofilaria. The worm is morphologically indistinguishable from D immitis, the common canine heartworm. The life cycle of the parasite and the two clinical forms of human dirofilariasis are briefly discussed. The two cases of human pulmonary dirofilariasis reported bring the number of cases published in the English literature to 21. As in most cases of pulmonary dirofilariasis, these two patients presented roentgenologically single noncalcified coin lesions and required thoracotomy for diagnosis. Pathologically, the lesions were rounded ischemic infarcts associated with pulmonary arterial thrombosis due to a nematode identified as Dirofilaria. The worm is morphologically indistinguishable from D immitis, the common canine heartworm. The life cycle of the parasite and the two clinical forms of human dirofilariasis are briefly discussed.

Human Pulmonary Dirofilariasis Manifesting as a "Coin" Lesion

DIROFILARIA or heartworm is a common parasite of dogs, cats, and other mammals. It is rarely encountered in human beings. Recently, two cases of human pulmonary dirofilariasis were reported by Harrison and Thompson.1In their review of the literature they found only three cases up to 1965. Extrapulmonary human dirofilariasis is the more common form of human infestation by this parasite. Faust2in 1957 reviewed the literature and collected 37 cases, most of them were found in southern Europe. Four of the cases of human pulmonary dirofilariasis mentioned above presented as a coin lesion in a roentgenogram of the chest. The fifth case presented as a pulmonary infarct with pneumonitis. Because of this clinical pattern, human pulmonary dirofilariasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of coin lesion of the lung. The following case is being reported to add to the small list of cases of human pulmonary

Human pulmonary dirofilariasis manifesting as a "coin" lesion. A case report

Human pulmonary dirofilariasis manifesting as a "coin" lesion. A case report