Human Dirofilaria repens infections diagnosed in Slovakia in the last 10 years (2007–2017)

Abstract

Human dirofilariosis is currently considered to be an emerging zoonosis of Central Europe with climate change and globalization playing a key role in its spreading. Additionally, the occurrence of Dirofilaria spp. is strongly subject to a certain number of microfilaremic dogs and the presence of the mosquito vectors. Both conditions are fulfilled in Slovakia. The first human case of autochthonous dirofilariosis in Slovakia was diagnosed in 2007, 2 years after the infection had been observed in the Slovak dog population. Since then, a total of 12 human cases caused by Dirofilaria repens have been registered at the Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 7 subcutaneous, 4 ocular and 1 pulmonary; however, it is likely that some cases remain undiagnosed, seeing that this infection is still missed by physicians. Of the patients 9 were male and 3 were female and their age varied between 15 and 72 years (mean 49 years). The majority of those affected came from the southern regions of the country, bordering Austria and Hungary, which are considered to be endemic areas for canine dirofilariosis. In this paper all published and unpublished cases are reviewed, with a special emphasis on the rare pulmonary form of D. repens infection.

Recent advances on Dirofilaria repens in dogs and humans in Europe

“…In 2007 the first human case was also detected in Slovakia [120], two years after the first case in dogs. Since then, a total of 12 human cases have been registered at the Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences [121–123]. The majority of cases came from the southern regions of the country, bordering Austria and Hungary [123].…”

Ocular Dirofilariasis after Clinically Manifested Subcutaneous Migration of the Parasite: A Case Report

“…Eye pain is not exceptional in ocular dirofilariasis, but the urgent pain that forced the patient to vomit is not often described. We did not encounter any similar symptoms in the other patients with ocular dirofilariasis in Slovakia, when only asymptomatic migration resulted to the parasite´s appearance in ocular structures connected with eye itching and redness (3,4). However, the parasite pathway to the eye is not yet sufficiently explained.…”

“…In Slovakia, the first case diagnosed as ocular dirofilariasis was published in 1992 when mobile worm, measured about 9 mm in its length, was removed from vitreous body, even though some doubts were revealed based on the retrospective view of this case (4). Since then, between 2012 and 2017, four other patients with ocular dirofilarial infection were recorded in Slovakia (3,4). With the exception of the last, here described case, in all of the patients autochthonous origin of the infection was confirmed.…”

İnsanlarda Hastalik Yapan Di̇rofi̇lari̇a Türleri̇ Ve Di̇rofi̇lari̇asi̇s

“…Dirofilaria paraziti, ülkemizde ilk kez Ankara'da yabancı orjinli bir köpekte daha sonra ise Elazığ'da yerli bir köpekte rapor edilmiştir (Güralp, 1982;Taşan, 1984). (Lee, Lee, Shin, & Lee, 1996;Miterpakova, Antolova, Ondriska, & Gal, 2017;Sarnıç & Alkan, 1986). Parazitin dağılımına cinsiyet yönünden bakıldığında ise, dişi ve erkek köpekler arasında bir farklılığın olmadığı bildirilmiştir (Şahin vd., 2004).…”