[Autochthonous subcutaneous dirofilariasis in Israel]

Canine dirofilariasis has been recognized for over 300 years, but human dirofilariasis has received relatively little attention. Sporadic cases of human dirofilariasis have been reported in Israel. Dogs, cats and foxes are the reservoir, mosquitoes of the genera Culex and Aedes are the vectors and humans are the accidental hosts.

We present a case of human dirofilariasis (Dirofilaria repens) in a young Israeli patient. The thickness of the multilayered cuticle of the worm, the size of the body and the form and numbers of the longitudinal ridges on its surface are used in the histological diagnosis of the parasite.

Since our patient had never been abroad, this case must be considered an autochthonous infection. Furthermore, since the reservoir and the vectors are abundant in Israel, the potential for human infection exists, but probably this pathology is underdiagnosed in primary care practice.