Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis infection in Grodno Region, Belarus

Abstract

A major worldwide concern, dirofilariasis is a zoonotic helminth disease that is transmitted by vectors. The disease is caused by nematodes of the species Dirofilaria of the family Filariidae. Mosquitoes are intermediate hosts, along with dogs, cats, and wild carnivores. The larva that penetrates human tissues after a mosquito bite begins to grow, develops and spreads the disease. A multidisciplinary approach is required because the clinical symptom is dependent on the location of the helminth. A 60-year-old woman presented with a tumor-like formation in the right temporal region of the scalp. Preliminary diagnosis was made as “epidermal cyst of the right temporal region” upon the examination. An ultrasound of the soft tissues of the right temporal region of scalp was performed and it demonstrated a hypoechoic formation of spherical shape. A thread-like formation which was curled into a ball was found following the surgical excision of the tumor-like formation. Diagnosis was confirmed following the pathohistological examination. The result of the postoperative pathohistological examination was; fibrous tissue with focal chronic inflammation with the presence of a helminth. The patient was diagnosed with “dirofilariasis of the subcutaneous fat of the right temporal region” (ICD-10, B74.8). Patients with subcutaneous Dirofilariasis should be treated with surgical excision following a thorough ultrasound examination. Early and efficient diagnosis of this disease can prevent the long suffering of the patient while misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary investigations.