A case of Dirofilaria pulmonary infection coexisting with lung cancer.
Dirofilaria immitis, the dog heartworm, may accidentally infect humans and manifest as a subpleural solitary or multiple pulmonary nodules that are often difficult to differentiate from primary or metastatic lung tumors. Our patient had biopsy proven lung cancer and a second lesion found to be pulmonary dirofilariasis after excision. The coexistence of pulmonary infection and cancer must be considered whenever 2 or more lesions have different clinical and radiologic behavior. Pulmonary dirofilariasis is a rare cause of lung nodules and may be present with lung cancer even more infrequently.
Mulanovich
Eduardo A
EA
Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, Unit 402, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Box 402, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Mulanovich
Victor E
VE
Rolston
Kenneth V I
KV
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000150:complications*; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D018307:Neoplasms, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D011859:Radiography
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents