There is a worm in my eye! Ocular dirofilariasis

Abstract

Introduction: To report a case of ocular dirofilariasis in Central Italy (Pisa, Tuscany) and review the previous cases of ocular dirofilariasis reported in Italy. Case description: A 67-year-old man complained about recurrent ocular redness and discomfort previously treated as conjunctivitis. The slit-lamp examination showed a round, translucent cystic swelling under the bulbar conjunctiva of the right eye, near the lateral canthus. Inside this lesion was observed the presence of a motile worm. A surgical procedure was immediately performed, excising a thin, segmented, greyish worm identified as Dirofilaria repens. After the excision, no recurrence of the symptomatology was recorded. Conclusion: Ocular dirofilariasis can lead to misdiagnosis due to its rare ocular manifestations and it is considered an emergent zoonosis in European countries. In Italy from 2001 to January 2018, seven new cases were reported in the literature. In our opinion, it is critical to record all the new cases to assess the epidemiological situation and increase the awareness of this rare infection.

Ocular dirofilariasis – a case report

“…In Europe, D. repens is endemic mainly to the Mediterranean region (Italy, France, Greece, and Croatia) [8,9], though cases of ocular dirofilariasis have also been observed in the countries of Southeast Europe (Bulgaria) [10]. However, in some regions of Central Europe subcutaneous dirofilariasis is also becoming an autochtonous infection.…”

Skin-Colored Nodule on the Scalp of a Middle-aged Man

“…1 Polymerase chain reaction has been used in skin, eye, and pulmonary specimens for species confirmation and where histomorphology is inconclusive. [5][6][7] Peripheral eosinophilia is an inconsistent finding. Antibody detection using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is of little diagnostic value owing to low sensitivity and specificity.…”

Ocular loiasis affecting a child and its assessment by Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography

“…A differential diagnosis had to be established between Loa loa [ 1 , 2 ], Onchocerca volvulus , Mansonela perstans [ 8 ] well-known filarial nematodes responsible for subconjunctival filariasis in the Equatorial Africa and Dirofilaria repens , an emerging ocular filariasis affecting rural areas of Eastern and Southern Europe, Minor and Central Asia [ 10 ].…”