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Three new cases of human infection with Dirofilaria repens, one pulmonary and two subcutaneous, in the Egyptian governorate of Assiut.

Authors :
Abdel-Rahman, S. M.
Mahmoud, A. E.
Galal, L. A. A.
Gustinelli, A.
Pampiglione, S.
Source :
Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology. Sep2008, Vol. 102 Issue 6, p499-507. 9p. 8 Black and White Photographs.
Publication Year :
2008

Abstract

Human dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens is a parasitic infection, currently considered to be an emerging zoonosis, that has been observed in many areas of the Old World. Dogs are the main 'reservoir' host. In humans, D. repens can cause inflammatory nodules, most commonly in the subcutaneous tissues or in the subconjunctival space. Lung involvement, which is the most common of the non-cutaneous and non-ocular manifestations, is frequently mis-diagnosed as a primary or metastatic lung tumour. Two new subcutaneous cases and one new pulmonary case, all observed in the Egyptian governorate of Assiut, are described here. This represents the first report of human pulmonary dirofilariasis caused by D. repens on the African continent. All the worms collected from the cases, including a living worm from the left lung of the pulmonary case, were identified morphologically, and the identity of the lung parasite was confirmed by PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00034983
Volume :
102
Issue :
6
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34147268
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1179/136485908X300904