An unexpected cause of a subcutaneous nodule: a case report of dirofilaria infection
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Updated: May 22, 2026

Detection of Extravascular Trypanosoma Parasites by Fine Needle Aspiration
Published on: August 7, 2019
Bruno Man-Hon Cheung1, Yi-Lan Huang, Yie-Wen Lin
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, No. 670, Chung Te Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Humans are not natural hosts of Dirofilaria; however, pulmonary or subcutaneous infections may occur through mosquitoes transmission. Patients presenting with simple subcutaneous nodules may not seek early medical attention, and hence systemic involvement through hematogenous spread may occur. Definitive diagnosis of Dirofilaria infection is made by histopathological examinations of the infected tissues. We report a patient with an incidental diagnosis of Dirofilaria infection confirmed by histopathological findings of a subcutaneous nodule on the right thigh. The source of infection remains unknown.
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