Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Human dirofilariasis

T Jelinek1, J Schulte-Hillen, T Löscher

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University of Munich, Germany.

International Journal of Dermatology
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Human dirofilariasis, caused by Dirofilaria worms, is increasing in travelers to endemic areas. Surgical removal of worms combined with diethylcarbamazine and ivermectin offers effective treatment for this parasitic infection.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Outpatient care intensity and influenza vaccination: evidence from Germany.

Vaccine·2025
Same author

European Myeloma Network Group review and consensus statement on primary plasma cell leukemia.

Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology·2025
Same author

Beyond the marrow: insights from comprehensive next-generation sequencing of extramedullary multiple myeloma tumors.

Leukemia·2024
Same author

Gamma-heavy chain disease.

Klinicka onkologie : casopis Ceske a Slovenske onkologicke spolecnosti·2020
Same author

Bortezomib retreatment is effective in relapsed multiple myeloma patients - real-life clinical practice data.

Neoplasma·2019
Same author

Lenalidomide and dexamethasone in treatment of patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma - analysis of data from the Czech Myeloma Group Registry of Monoclonal Gammopathies.

Neoplasma·2019

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Tropical Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Human dirofilariasis is prevalent in endemic regions like the Mediterranean.
  • Increased global travel contributes to a rise in cases among tourists.
  • Both subcutaneous and pulmonary forms of the disease are observed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical and parasitological features of human dirofilariasis.
  • To analyze cases treated at a German infectious and tropical diseases unit.
  • To evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of six patients with cutaneous and pulmonary dirofilariasis.
  • Clinical and laboratory data analysis, including serological markers.
  • Diagnosis confirmed by surgical removal of adult worms.
  • Treatment with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and ivermectin.

Main Results:

  • Four cases of subcutaneous dirofilariasis (Dirofilaria repens) and two of pulmonary dirofilariasis (D. immitis) were identified.
  • All infections were acquired in the Mediterranean region.
  • Symptoms were mild and non-specific; blood eosinophilia and specific humoral responses were absent.
  • Diagnosis was confirmed via surgical worm removal; successful treatment with DEC and ivermectin.

Conclusions:

  • Dirofilariasis should be considered in patients with subcutaneous or pulmonary lesions after travel to endemic areas.
  • Surgical excision of adult worms is key for diagnosis and treatment.
  • Combined therapy with ivermectin and diethylcarbamazine is effective.

Related Experiment Videos