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Dirofilaria Repens Infection in a Ten-Year–Old Boy From The Istria Peninsula: Case Report

Glavan Nedeljka orcid.org/0000-0002-7428-3694
Pećanić Sanja
Bosak Ana orcid.org/0000-0003-4257-2456
Gačanin Lana
Abram Maja orcid.org/0000-0003-4113-098X
Jonjić Nives orcid.org/0000-0003-2995-0766

Abstract

Dirofilariasis is a zoonotic infection caused by worms belonging to the genus Dirofilaria. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and the hosts are usually dogs. Infections in humans are rare and they usually manifest as a subcutaneous nodule or a conjunctival form. We present a 10-year-old boy with a subcutaneous nodule on his left forearm, who was admitted to the hospital. On examination, the only significant findings were high levels of eosinophils. The pediatrician suspected dirofilariasis and the boy was referred to pediatric surgery. The whole lesion was surgically removed and histopathologic examination confirmed parasitic infection by Dirofilaria repens. Although human dirofilariasis is a rare disease, the number of reported cases has recently increased worldwide. The disease mainly occurs in southern European countries, but has also been described in eastern Europe, Central Asia and Sri Lanka. Croatia is one of the endemic areas for dirofilariasis, especially in the region of the Istria Peninsula. The case presented highlights the requirement for further monitoring of endemic areas in order to establish effective preventive measures.

Keywords

Dirofilariasis; Dirofilaria repens; Zoonoses; Croatia; Case report

Hrčak ID:

123074

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/123074

Publication date:

1.12.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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