Human dirofilariasis in the eyelid caused by Dirofilaria repens: An imported case

Abstract

Clinical case: The case concerns a 33-year-old Ukrainian woman, who came to the Ophthalmology Emergency Service, stating that she had a «worm» under the skin of her upper left eyelid that wriggled at night and bit her. A complete examination revealed a subcutaneous foreign body, which showed a filarial appearance and seemed to crawl under the skin. It was surgically removed to discover a live parasite, PCR-identified as Dirofilaria repens.

Discussion: Humans are accidental hosts in the cycle of Dirofilaria. There are only 8 reported cases of subcutaneous infection in Spain. Due to global warming, D. repens has become an emerging infectious agent in Central Europe countries such as Ukraine. The findings in this case are discussed.

Keywords: Dirofilaria; Dirofilaria repens; Dirofilariasis humana; Dirofilariasis ocular; Dirofilariasis subcutánea; Human dirofilariasis; Ophthalmic dirofilariasis; Subcutaneous dirofilariasis.