title: Human dirofilariasis: an emerging zoonosis in India.
abstract: Human dirofilariasis is an uncommon zoonotic infection having a widespread geographical distribution. World over 800 cases of Dirofilaria are on record with highest numbers from Italy, Sri Lanka and republics of the ex-Soviet Union. Dirofilaria repens belongs to the subgenus Nochtiella and is the most common species identified in India. Topographically, the orbital/periorbital regions are the most common regions involved by Dirofilaria. We present a brief review of cases from India including two received in our own institute. This review focuses on the epidemiology of the disease including its geographical distribution and the probable causation of the recent increase in its incidence in Indian subcontinent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Father Muller Medical College, Kanakanady, Mangalore, 575002 Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Reshma G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Kini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Father Muller Medical College, Kanakanady, Mangalore, 575002 Karnataka India.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Leena
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Father Muller Medical College, Kanakanady, Mangalore, 575002 Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Prathvi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Father Muller Medical College, Kanakanady, Mangalore, 575002 Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Raphael Hart
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Lyngdoh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Father Muller Medical College, Kanakanady, Mangalore, 575002 Karnataka India.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sumanth
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Father Muller Medical College, Kanakanady, Mangalore, 575002 Karnataka India.
authors.forename: Lovely
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: George
keywords: Dirofilaria; Dirofilaria repens; Epidemiology; India; Subcutaneous dirofilariasis; Zoonosis