Dirofilariosis in dogs and humans in Kerala

Abstract

There has been an increased occurrence of filarial worms in the subcutaneous tissues and subconjunctival space of human beings belonging to different areas of the state of Kerala. The present work was carried out to identify the worms recovered from human cases, to study the presence of microfilariae in dogs and to discuss the possible mode of infection in human beings. Twelve worm specimens from human patients received in the Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy from 2002 to 2004 were identified as Dirofilaria repens based on morphology. Out of the 160 blood smears of dogs examined during the same period, microfilariae were detected in 11 samples (7%). With 7 per cent dogs positive for microfilariae of D. repens in Kerala, it is suggested that human beings are at an enhanced risk of acquiring dirofilaria infection.