Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Subcutaneous dirofilariosis in Italy: a diagnostic hypothesis to remind when the anamnesis is misleading.
- Journal:
- Pathologica
- Year:
- 2022
- Authors:
- Ahmed, Naghia et al.
- Affiliation:
- IRCCS San Raffaele Institute · Italy
Plain-English summary
This case involves a young man from north-west Italy who developed a lump under his skin, which was found to contain a type of parasitic worm called Dirofilaria repens. Although he had not traveled to tropical areas, he lived with dogs, which can carry this parasite and transmit it through mosquito bites. Dirofilariosis (a disease caused by these worms) is becoming more common in Western countries, even though it is usually associated with developing regions. This situation highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections even when a pet owner doesn't think travel is a factor. The outcome of the treatment for this infection is not specified in the abstract.
Abstract
Subcutaneous parasitic infections are possible matches in routine pathology and can be detected not only in patients coming from or travelling in tropical countries, but also when the anamnesis does not suggest at first worm infestations. Here we report the case of a young man from the north-west of Italy, with a negative anamnesis for travels but the presence of dogs at home, who presented a subcutaneous nodule showing a nematode surrounded by a fibrous capsule; the morphology was suggestive for Dirofilaria repens. Dirofilariosis is a zoonosis caused by D. repens or D. immitis, which can be acquired by dogs and cats through mosquitos bites; the disease is widespread in developing countries, but it is also emerging in Western countries, becoming an important public health issue.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35481570/