Microfilaremia from a Dirofilaria-like parasite in Greece. Case report

Abstract

In Europe, zoonotic filarial infections in humans are caused by two species, Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. These parasites are associated mainly with embolic infarcts of the pulmonary artery and subcutaneous nodules, respectively. An unusual dirofilarial infection in a Greek patient who showed marked eosinophilia and microfilaremia is presented. Although the identification of Dirofilaria species is not conclusive, this report is the first on a case of microfilaremia from a Dirofilaria infection in an immunocompetent patient.