Dirofilaria repens Nematode Infection with Microfilaremia in Traveler Returning to Belgium from Senegal

Abstract

We report human infection with a Dirofilaria repens nematode likely acquired in Senegal. An adult worm was extracted from the right conjunctiva of the case-patient, and blood microfilariae were detected, which led to an initial misdiagnosis of loiasis. We also observed the complete life cycle of a D. repens nematode in this patient.

Keywords

• Dirofilaria repens
• nematode
• parasites
• eye worm
• human infection
• ocular infection