Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2015 Jun;39(2):349-54.
doi: 10.1007/s12639-013-0348-8. Epub 2013 Jul 11.

Human dirofilariasis: an emerging zoonosis in India

Reshma G Kini  1 , J B Leena  1 , Prathvi Shetty  2 , Raphael Hart Lyngdoh  1 , D Sumanth  1 , Lovely George  1
Affiliations

Human dirofilariasis: an emerging zoonosis in India

Reshma G Kini et al. J Parasit Dis. 2015 Jun.

Abstract

Human dirofilariasis is an uncommon zoonotic infection having a widespread geographical distribution. World over 800 cases of Dirofilaria are on record with highest numbers from Italy, Sri Lanka and republics of the ex-Soviet Union. Dirofilaria repens belongs to the subgenus Nochtiella and is the most common species identified in India. Topographically, the orbital/periorbital regions are the most common regions involved by Dirofilaria. We present a brief review of cases from India including two received in our own institute. This review focuses on the epidemiology of the disease including its geographical distribution and the probable causation of the recent increase in its incidence in Indian subcontinent.

Keywords: Dirofilaria; Dirofilaria repens; Epidemiology; India; Subcutaneous dirofilariasis; Zoonosis.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Wet mount of the worm showing characteristic longitudinal cuticular ridges
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Photomicrograph of the slightly degenerated worm showing the multilayered cuticle, longitudinal ridges and the genital tube. H&E original magnification 40×
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Year-wise distribution of cases in India since 1977
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Athari A. Zoonotic subcutaneous dirofilariases in Iran. Arch Iran Med. 2003;6:63–65.
    1. Badhe BP, Sane SY. Human pulmonary dirofilariasis in India: a case report. J Trop Med Hyg. 1989;92:425–426. - PubMed
    1. Bhat KG, Wilson G, Mallya S. Human dirofilariasis. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2003;21:65. - PubMed
    1. Bhat S, Sofia O, Raman M, Biswas J. A case of subconjunctival dirofilariasis in South India. J Ophthal Inflamm Infect. 2012;2:205–206. doi: 10.1007/s12348-012-0078-6. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Chakrabarti A, John SR, Chakrabarti M. Worm wobble: subconjunctival Dirofilaria. Kerala J Ophthalmol. 2009;XXI:202–204.

LinkOut - more resources