[Conjunctival dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens: report of a French case].
Dirofilariasis involving Dirofilaria repens is an exceedingly rare event in France. Most cases have involved subcutaneous lesions but ocular and peri-ocular involvement have been observed. The present report describes a case of dirofilariasis involving the conjunctiva in a 61 year-old-man in France. Onset was characterized by the sudden appearance of painful conjunctival cyst. Clinical examination and laboratory tests did not allow diagnosis. Opening the cyst and extracting the parasite allowed diagnosis and treatment. Microscopic examination identified the parasite as a female Dirofilaria repens. This new case of ocular dirofilariasis emphasizes that this parasitic disease is present and probably underestimated in mainland France. Opening of the conjunctival cyst allowed identification of the parasite and successful treatment without sequels.
Masseron
T
T
Service de Biologie, l'Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Robert Picqué, Bordeaux, France.
Sailliol
A
A
Niel
L
L
Floch
J J
JJ
D000818:Animals; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004182:Dirofilaria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged