Recurrent Swelling and Microfilaremia Caused by Dirofilaria repens Infection after Travel to India

Abstract

Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis is an emerging mosquitoborne zoonosis. A traveler returning to Germany from India experienced Dirofilaria infection with concomitant microfilaremia. Molecular analysis indicated Dirofilaria repens nematodes of an Asian genotype. Microfilaremia showed no clear periodicity. Presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts enabled successful treatment with doxycycline.

Keywords

• dirofilariasis
• Dirofilaria repens
• microfilariae
• periodicity
• Wolbachia
• parasites