Human dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens in southern India
A 47-year-old female from rural South Kanara district of Karnataka state, came to KVG Medical College Hospital, Sullia with complaints of pain and swelling of one week duration in the left eyelid. The patient was of moderate build and well nourished, nondiabetic, nonhypertensive and afebrile. Hematological and other laboratory findings were within normal limits. The patient had no human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. She presented with periorbital oedema. The swelling was soft, cystic with associated tenderness. A provisional clinical diagnosis of abscess was made and was aspirated. During the procedure a worm was noticed in the lesion which was subsequently removed by gentle traction.\nThe worm was thin, white and 10 cm long and 0.6 mm wide. Microscopic examination under 40× magnifications of the outer surface of the nematode's cuticle revealed longitudinal beaded ridges and transverse striations []. Based on size and cuticular features, the worm was identified as D. repens.[] Blood examination of the patient did not reveal microfilaraemia and the fluid aspirate did not contain any microfilaria. The patient did not come for a subsequent follow up and could not be contacted.