Presentation
We present two cases of pulmonary dirofilariasis presenting as coin lesions in the lung, which were clinically suggestive of malignancy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Entire Body System
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Intravenous Drugs
A 31-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug abuse presented with an inflamed subcutaneous nodule in his left thigh. The nodule measured up to 1.2 cm in largest diameter. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Cardiovascular
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Retrosternal Chest Pain
When they do occur, symptoms can include the following: Localized retrosternal chest pain Cough Hemoptysis Wheezing Low-grade fever Chills Malaise D repens Usually, patients notice a single painful subcutaneous lump in the affected area. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Eyes
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Lacrimation
We report a case of lacrimal gland dirofilariasis, an unusual ocular presentation which masquerades as a lacrimal gland tumor. Ours would be the third reported case in the world and first in India. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Solid arrow: multiple transverse sections of a single female Dirofilaria in the lacrimal gland. Empty arrow: lacrimal gland capsule. [nature.com]
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Red Eye
A rare occurrence of ocular subconjunctival dirofilariasis in a 53-year-old healthy Indian male working in Dubai, UAE presenting with an acute red eye is reported. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
He had no history of ocular injury, allergy or recent onset of red eyes. He had earlier consulted a local ophthalmologist who had prescribed him antibiotic-steroid drops, ointment in the OD and oral steroid. [ojoonline.org]
Skin
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Subcutaneous Mass
Briefly, we conclude that a diagnosis of subcutaneous dirofilariasis should be considered in cases of subcutaneous mass in an endemic area of animal dirofilariasis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Humans accidentally get infected and can present with a lung nodule, subcutaneous mass or an ocular lesion which will be either subconjunctival or periorbital. Proper microbiological and histopathological examinations aid in proper diagnosis. [e-ijd.org]
Psychiatrical
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Fear
Dirofilaria, from the Latin dirus (“fearful” or “ominous”) plus filum (“thread”), is a genus of nematodes of the superfamily Filarioidea. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Neurologic
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Aphasia
Intraocular, subconjunctival, and retro-orbital [61] infections have also been reported. [62, 63, 64] A single case report describes meningoencephalitis and aphasia complicating infection with D repens. [65] No recorded fatalities due directly to dirofilariasis [emedicine.medscape.com]
Workup
Both patients had normal systemic workup results and remained symptom-free after surgical removal of the nematode. Clinical findings, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and management are discussed. Ophthalmic dirofilariasis is a rare condition. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
(See Pathophysiology, Etiology, and Workup.) Plain chest radiographic appearance of pulmonary coin lesion secondary to Dirofilaria immitis infection in a man. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Microbiology
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Wuchereria Bancrofti
Dirofilariasis must be distinguished from other forms of filarial disease such as onchocercosis and Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
& Kamimura, K. ( 1980 b) Case reports of infections with Dirofilaria immitis in lung and Wuchereria bancrofti in epididymis, diagnosed by cross section morphology of worms in pathological specimens. Japanese Journal of Parasitology 30, 381 – 386. [cambridge.org]
Other Pathologies
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Tissue Nematode
In Europe, human dirofilariasis refers to a group of autochtonous parasitic infections caused by tissue nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria, responsible for two distinct clinical presentations: Dirofilaria immitis usually presenting as pulmonary lesions [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Treatment
What is the treatment? The definitive treatment of Dirofilaria infection in humans is surgical removal of lung granulomas and nodules under the skin; this treatment is also curative. In many cases, no treatment with medicines is necessary. [cdc.gov]
The definitive treatment of Dirofilaria infection in humans is surgical removal of lung granulomas and nodules under the skin, this treatment is also curative. In many cases, no treatment with medicines is necessary. [omicsonline.org]
Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice and an anthelmintic can be administered if residual lesions are present or the patient is from an endemic area. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Treatment with tetracycline antibiotics has been reported to damage Dirofilaria immitis, often causing death of adult worms. [en.wikipedia.org]
Prognosis
The prognosis for feline heartworm disease is guarded. The severe symptoms caused by the parasite can be avoided by cleansing the skin, surgery, or the use of therapeutic drugs, such as diethylcarbamazine (DEC), ivermectin, or albendazole. [omicsonline.org]
Prognosis is good in case of Dirofilariasis. 1. Joseph K, Vinayakumar AR, Criton S, Vishnu MS, Pariyaram SE. Periorbital mass with cellulitis caused by dirofilaria. Indian J Med Microbiol 2011;29:431-3. [ PUBMED ] 2. [e-ijd.org]
Prognosis In mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic animals, the course of dirofilariasis is usually uneventful following treatment and the prognosis is excellent 3. [en.wikivet.net]
The theory is supported by the observation that most pediatric cases in Sri Lanka are localized to the scrotum, penis, and perineal regions of the body. [55] Prognosis In general, following diagnosis and resection of the affected tissue, the prognosis [emedicine.medscape.com]
Etiology
Abstract The etiologic agents of human dirofilariasis in the Old World are Dirofilaria immitis, which cause pulmonary and subcutaneous nodules, and Dirofilaria repens, which cause ocular lesions. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
TERMINOLOGY Definitions Infectious condition caused by helminth ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS Etiology Caused by Dirofilaria immitis Dirofilariasis is more common in dogs Humans are accidental hosts CLINICAL ISSUES Epidemiology Incidence Uncommon infectious condition [basicmedicalkey.com]
Peripheral smear showed microcystic hypochromic anemia with mild eosinophilia and thrombocytosis which was in favor of an allergic/parasitic etiology. [kjophthal.com]
(See Pathophysiology, Etiology, and Workup.) Plain chest radiographic appearance of pulmonary coin lesion secondary to Dirofilaria immitis infection in a man. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Epidemiology
The aim of this study was to ascertain the geographical distribution and clinical manifestations of a relatively rare among people zoonotic disease such as dirofilariasis, whose epidemiological features depends on prevalence of the parasite among usual [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Pathophysiology
[…] have been reported mainly from regions with high canine heartworm prevalence, such as the southern United States (US), the objectives of this review were (1) to describe the microbiology of the parasite; (2) to resolve any misconceptions regarding the pathophysiology [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
(See Pathophysiology and Clinical Presentation.) [emedicine.medscape.com]
Prevention
Digital images were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which identified the parasite as a nematode in the genus Dirofilaria It appeared to be dead and degenerating, but external, fine longitudinal cuticular ridges and the presence [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Year-round prevention is advised. Preventive therapy in dogs is recommended beginning at 6–8 wk of age. [msdvetmanual.com]