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Human pulmonary dirofilariasis in India: a case report
The Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|December 1, 1989
Abstract:
Dirofilaria immitis is a common parasite of the canine cardiovascular system. In dogs, it often produces pulmonary lesions and rarely dilatation of portal vessels. Most of the human cases reported showed pulmonary lesions. We describe here a child manifesting as portal cavernoma with pulmonary dirofilariasis detected at autopsy. This is the first case of pulmonary dirofilariasis reported from India.
Insights
Pulmonary dirofilariasis, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, is rare in humans. This report details the first pediatric case in India, presenting with portal cavernoma and pulmonary parasitic lesions found during autopsy.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Human Pathology
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Dirofilaria immitis commonly affects dogs, causing cardiovascular and pulmonary issues.
- Human infections (dirofilariasis) are infrequent, typically manifesting as pulmonary lesions.
- Portal system involvement is an unusual presentation in both canine and human cases.
Observation:
- A pediatric autopsy case revealed pulmonary dirofilariasis.
- The child presented with portal cavernoma, a rare vascular malformation.
- This marks the first reported instance of pulmonary dirofilariasis in a child from India.
Findings:
- Autopsy confirmed Dirofilaria immitis infection in the pulmonary vasculature.
- Co-occurrence of portal cavernoma and pulmonary parasitic disease was noted.
- The case highlights a unique clinical presentation of zoonotic dirofilariasis.
Implications:
- This case expands the known spectrum of human dirofilariasis presentations.
- It underscores the importance of considering zoonotic parasites in unexplained pediatric pathologies.
- Further research into Dirofilaria immitis transmission and pathology in diverse hosts is warranted.