Human dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens mimicking a scrotal tumor.
Dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens is a rare anthropozoonotic disease, with dogs and cats being the definite hosts for this parasite. This worm is transmitted by various species of mosquitoes and usually presents as a subcutaneous nodule. Human cases have been reported from all around the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, and Central and Southern Asia. In the present case involving a 28-year-old patient of Tunisian origin, infection manifested as a nodule in the left epididymis. In the context of increasing international travel and migration, dirofilariasis is a diagnosis that should be kept in mind when treating patients who have spent some time in endemic areas and present with unclear subcutaneous or scrotal nodules.
Fleck
Ralf
R
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Mannheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.
Kurz
Wolfgang
W
Quade
Britta
B
Geginat
Gernot
G
Hof
Herbert
H
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005834:Genital Neoplasms, Male / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012611:Scrotum