Dirofilariasis in the hiding in oral cavity of a patient from Karnataka, India

Abstract

"Human dirofilariasis, caused by filarial worms of the genus Dirofilaria, is considered an emerging zoonotic filarial infection transmitted to humans by zoo-anthropophilic blood-sucking insects. The most common Dirofilaria species causing human infections include Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis. In this case report, we present the case of a 60-year-old male patient who reported the presence of an intraoral swelling in the right maxillary vestibular region. Upon excision of the lesion and further microscopic and histological examination, a female Dirofilaria was identified as the causative agent."

Keywords: Case report; dirofilariasis; helminth; nematode; oral; parasitology.

Figure 1

Photomicrograph showing transverse section of the parasite surrounded by inflammatory cells

Figure 2

Photomicrograph showing the longitudinal section of the parasite with smooth muscle, oocytes, and ridges