A Case Report on Oral Subcutaneous Dirofilariasis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Parasitology
• Human Medicine

Background:

• Dirofilariasis is an uncommon zoonotic parasitic infection with natural hosts including dogs, cats, and raccoons.
• The disease is endemic in various regions globally, including parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States.
• Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are the primary filarial nematode species causing infection, transmitted by mosquitoes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report two rare cases of human dirofilariasis.
• To describe the clinical presentation of dirofilariasis as facial and intraoral lumps.
• To contribute to the understanding of dirofilariasis in human populations.

Main Methods:

• Case report of two patients presenting with unusual lumps.
• Clinical examination and diagnostic procedures (details not specified in abstract).
• Literature review on dirofilariasis epidemiology and vectors.

Main Results:

• Two rare cases of dirofilariasis were identified.
• The presentation involved unusual lumps in the facial and intraoral areas.
• Identified mosquito vectors in Sri Lanka include Mansonia uniformis, M. annulifera, and Aedes aegypti.

Conclusions:

• Dirofilariasis can present with rare clinical manifestations, such as facial and intraoral lumps.
• Physicians should consider dirofilariasis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained lumps, especially in endemic areas.
• Further research is needed to understand the full spectrum of dirofilariasis in humans.