title: [Conjunctival dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria Repens. A new Tunisian case].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens is a parasitic disease affecting domestic animals and transmitted to man by mosquito bites. Human infestation is rare and involves benign subcutaneous and ocular manifestations. The diagnosis is made by excisional biopsy, which is also the sole recommended treatment. There are few reports of human infection in Tunisia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report herein the second case of conjunctival dirofilariasis in a 21-year-old woman residing in Tunis (Tunisia). The clinical presentation evoked orbital cellulites. Clinical and radiological investigations did not provide a diagnosis. Surgical excision and histological examination established the diagnosis by the presence of an adult female worm identified as Dirofilaria repens. Parasite extraction allowed successful treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dirofilariasis is rare in Tunisia, with only seven cases reported. The true incidence of dirofilariasis is probably greater than recognized. This can be explained by the apparent benign nature of the lesions that may not warrant excision.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, Institut Salah Azaiez, Tunis, Tunisie. samia.hannachi@rns.tn
authors.forename: S Hannachi
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Sassi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abid
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dhouib
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mrad
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bouguila
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abbes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Driss
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ben Ghorbel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ben Romdhane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014416:Tunisia