Subconjunctival Dirofilaria Repens

Abstract

Dirofilariasis is a relatively rare zoonotic disease that affects mainly dogs. The two most common representatives are Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria nochtiella. Studies have documented the spread of the disease across Central and Eastern Europe in recent years due to global changes. In Bulgaria since 2001 there are around 20 cases of dirofilariasis in dogs registered yearly. We report a case of subconjuctival dirofilariasis in a 47-year-old woman living in Southwestern Bulgaria. The infection manifested as a painful, inflamed nodule in the left eye, containing a vital parasite. Morphological analysis aroused suspicion for a filarial worm belonging to the genus Dirofilaria. Subsequent analysis confirmed suspicions and identified the parasite as Dirofilaria repens. After removal, the subconjunctival nodule completely resolved and the patient was successfully cured.

Keywords

• ophthalmology
• dirofilariasis