A rare case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis from a tertiary care hospital in Western Maharashtra

Abstract

Dirofilaria are tissue nematodes which can cause zoonotic diseases and have been reported from all over the world. They are transmitted by zooanthropophilic arthropods. The genus causes subcutaneous ocular, pulmonary, and lesions in other subcutaneous tissues. The most commonly implicated species are Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. Confirmation of the diagnosis of dirofilariasis is mainly dependent upon microbiological identification of the parasite by macroscopical and microscopical analysis and histology. Documented reports from India are mainly from South India and of ocular presentations by D. immitis. Hence, this case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis is being presented. The present case was a 65-year-old female who presented with a swelling over the left lower side of the neck for 1 month. The patient underwent surgery for the mass and the lesion was excised. The mass was sent for microbiological identification. The parasite showed a cuticle, which had longitudinal as well as transverse striations. The parasite also had a body cavity, which had internal organs and structures. The worm was identified as Dirofilaria spp. based on morphological features, both microscopic and macroscopic. It is likely to be D. repens due to the presentation as a subcutaneous nodule with which it is more associated.

Keywords

• dirofilaria
• filaroids
• subcutaneous swelling
• tissue nematode