Subcutaneous dirofilariasis of maxillofacial localization - a rare clinical case

Abstract

Dirofilariasis is a tropical helminthosis caused by nematodes - filariae. The are characterized by long incubation period, slow disease development and its long chronic course. Dirofilariasis can be catched from humans and animals, it is transmitted through insect bites (mosquitoes, gadflies, sand flies, midges). Dirofilariasis is endemic to areas with warm and humid climate. In Russia, the disease is atypical, with the absence of mature nematodes and microfilariae in the tissues. This disease is not typical for the Republic of Tatarstan and only isolated cases of parasite localization in the eyeball were previously recorded. The article presents a rare clinical case of subcutaneous localization of nematode of dirofilaria in the maxillofacial region. The patient was diagnosed with tumor-like neoplasm of the maxillofacial region, on the removal of which a live incapsulated parasite was found. The patient had no history of visiting endemic countries.