Dirofilaria repens microfilaremia in humans: Case description and literature review.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Dirofilaria repens is a vector-borne filaroid helminth of carnivorous animals, primarily domesticated dogs. Humans are considered to be accidental hosts in which D. repens rarely reach sexual maturity but induce local inflammation, mainly in subcutaneous and ocular tissues.

Methods

In the current study, we present the detection of multiple adults of D. repens, endosymbiont Wolbachia sp. and microfilariae by molecular analysis in peripheral tissues and bloodstream of a human host. A subsequent meta-analysis of published literature identified 21 cases of human infection with adult D. repens producing microfilariae.

Results

Within the study population, there were 13 (59.09%) males, eight (36.36%) females and, in one (4.55%)

SUBMITTER: Pupic-Bakrac A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8385151 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature