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Microfilaria in human subcutaneous dirofilariasis: a case report
Ajit Shriram Damle1, Jyoti Anil Iravane Bajaj2, Mukta Nagorao Khaparkhuntikar3
1Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College , Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India .
Summary
Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis, a rare zoonotic disease, is increasingly reported. This case highlights microfilariae development in a human host, a rare occurrence in subcutaneous dirofilariasis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Parasitology
- Zoonotic Diseases
Background:
- Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis is a rare zoonotic disease caused by Dirofilaria species.
- Infections are typically acquired through mosquito bites, with humans acting as aberrant hosts.
- Most human cases involve ocular or facial lesions, with subcutaneous involvement being less common.
Observation:
- A case of human subcutaneous dirofilariasis involving the leg is reported from western India.
- The patient presented with a subcutaneous lesion, and microfilariae were detected in the tissue.
- This finding indicates the presence of a gravid female Dirofilaria within the human host.
Findings:
- The presence of microfilariae in human tissue suggests that the parasite achieved sexual maturity in the human host.
- This is an uncommon finding in human dirofilariasis, where larvae usually do not reach sexual maturity.
- The case contributes to the understanding of the parasite's life cycle and host-parasite interactions in aberrant hosts.
Implications:
- This case expands the known spectrum of human dirofilariasis presentations.
- It underscores the importance of considering dirofilariasis in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous lesions, even with atypical findings.
- Further research may elucidate factors contributing to parasite maturation in human hosts.
