[Subcutaneous dirofilariasis of the upper lip in Tunisia]

Dirofilariasis is a rare anthroponotic disease caused by Dirofilaria, the principal reservoir of which is the dog. The first case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis in Tunisia was reported in 1990.

We report a case involving a 40-year-old woman living in northeastern Tunisia who presented with a subcutaneous lesion of the upper lip resembling a sebaceous cyst. Excisional biopsy released a worm identified on morphologic examination as Dirofilaria repens. Only excision allows simultaneous diagnosis and treatment.

This is the 14th case of dirofilariasis reported in Tunisia. This parasitic disease is probably underestimated in our country. It should be considered for all subcutaneous nodules, regardless of localisation.