Subcutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens

Abstract

Human dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens D. repens is a common zoonosis in the Mediterranean countries and parts of South Asia. During the last decade, it has been reported from countries previously considered non-endemic. This is likely due to the increased awareness regarding Dirofilaria infection. In some such cases however, dirofilariasis correlated with the travel of the patient to the endemic areas. We present the case of a Saudi male who had D. repens infection in the subcutaneous tissues of the forearm. The patient had traveled to Iraq, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait in the last 2 years. However, the known Dirofilaria endemic countries were not visited. Any prior occurrence of the human dirofilariasis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is not documented. Lack of epidemiological studies or incidence reports in the Arabian region precludes any factual evaluation of Dirofilaria prevalence, which requires increased awareness amongst health workers regarding its potential occurrence in the native population.