Emerging zoonosis with subcutan nodule: Dirofilaria repens infection

Abstract

The authors present a case of a 78-year-old man, who presented with arteritis temporalis like symptoms. In his previous laboratory findings elevated eosinophil count was seen, imaging studies ruled out inflammatory diseases and malignancy. During the surgical diagnostic biopsy a thin white worm was removed, microscopically Dirofilaria repens was diagnosed. According to the patient’s history, an infected mosquito bite is most likely while hiking along Drava River, and the host animal could be the golden jackal. The authors briefly review the biology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of D. repens. Finally they give a short historical overview of D. repens human infections in Hungary