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

Subcutaneous dirofilariasis: single inoculum, multiple worms

T C Orihel1, D Helentjaris, J Alger

  • 1Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|April 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

This case report details a rare subcutaneous dirofilariasis infection caused by Dirofilaria repens. A patient presented with a living worm in the periorbital tissues, indicating a prolonged, asymptomatic 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

Between-Scanner and Between-Visit Variation in Normal White Matter Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values in the Setting of a Multi-Center Clinical Trial.

Clinical neuroradiology·2015
Same author

Nonconvulsive seizures after traumatic brain injury are associated with hippocampal atrophy.

Neurology·2010
Same author

Analysis of the brain-stem white-matter tracts with diffusion tensor imaging.

Neuroradiology·2005
Same author

Human dirofilariasis in Costa Rica: Dirofilaria immitis in periorbital tissues.

Parasite (Paris, France)·2003
Same author

Human dirofilariasis in Costa Rica. A report of three new cases of Dirofilaria immitis infection.

Parasite (Paris, France)·2002
Same author

Human pulmonary dirofilariasis in El Salvador.

Parasite (Paris, France)·2002

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Parasitology
  • Human Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Entomology

Background:

  • Subcutaneous dirofilariasis is a parasitic infection caused by Dirofilaria species, often transmitted by mosquitoes.
  • Dirofilaria repens is a nematode parasite commonly found in canids, but can infect humans, typically causing subcutaneous nodules.

Observation:

  • A 42-year-old male presented with a palpable, mobile worm in the periorbital area on two separate occasions, 10 months apart.
  • Both extracted worms were identified as mature, nongravid female Dirofilaria repens.
  • Analysis of reproductive maturity and egg distribution suggested both worms originated from a single infection event.

Findings:

  • The first worm was estimated to be at least two years old, and the second worm was ten months older.

Related Experiment Videos

  • These findings suggest that Dirofilaria repens can develop and persist in human tissues for extended periods (2-3 years) without significant host inflammatory response.
  • The worms were found to be mature but nongravid, indicating a lack of reproduction within the host.

    • Implications:

    • This case highlights the potential for prolonged, asymptomatic subcutaneous dirofilariasis in humans.
    • It underscores the importance of considering Dirofilaria repens in the differential diagnosis of migratory subcutaneous or periorbital lesions, especially in endemic areas.
    • Further research is needed to understand the host-parasite interactions that allow for such prolonged, undetected infections.