Dirofilarial infection of the orbit

Abstract

Dirofilarial involvement of the orbit is uncommon. It should be considered as a rare infectious form of specific orbital inflammation and considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital inflammatory lesions.

Intramuscular Dirofilariasis Mimicking an Orbital Metastasis in a Patient with Breast Cancer

“…Cases of orbital [2, 4, 6, 8, 9], pulmonary [10–12], and genital [7] infections have been reported. Infections have been reported to appear as a pseudotumor in the lung and scrotum on imaging studies.…”

“…The life cycle of this parasite normally involves dogs as a primary host and mosquitoes as potential vectors. While intraocular infections have been reported with dirofilariasis, infections involving the orbit and, in particular, the extraocular muscles are exceedingly uncommon [2–6]. …”

Answers

“…Due to immunological and microenvironmental factors, the parasite cannot reach maturity and is unable to express larvae in the circulation. That is why serology is of little value, and eosinophilia is seldom present 1 2…”

“…Periocular or periorbital (conjunctival) formation of nodules is the most common form of ocular infection, and the parasite rarely presents within the anterior chamber or the fundus area 1 4. Only a few cases of intravitreal dirofilariasis have been reported 4 – 7.…”

“…Dirofilaria repens is more common in southern Europe and in eastern Mediterranean countries 1 . D repens infection is limited in Turkey 2.…”