Human pulmonary dirofilariasis: a review

Abstract

The authors presented a detailed summary of the geographical distribution, clinical and pathological aspects of human pulmonary dirofilariasis. Although benign, this zoonosis, of which Dirofilaria immitis is the major etiological agent, represents a medical problem since it produces symptoms which may be confused with neoplasia and thus may subject patients to unnecessary thoracic surgery. Of 229 cases cited in the literature, only 17 were reported in Brazil, despite the existence of highly favorable conditions for the transmission of this infection in man. Thus it may well be that this parasitic infection remains underdiagnosed. Finally, the importance of a differential diagnosis between dirofilariasis and pulmonary neoplasia is emphasized in cases where there is a solitary subpleural nodule ("coin lesion") present. In addition, the development and improvement of modern immunological diagnostic techniques are essential to distinguish this benign disease from other pathological conditions and thus avoid unnecessary surgery. These techniques may reveal the true prevalence of this parasitic infection in our environment.

Giardia sp. and Cryptosporidium sp. Infections in Primates in Fragmented and Undisturbed Forest in Western Uganda

“…Canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasitic nematode harbored by domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) as definitive hosts in Japan, but the parasite also has been found in many animal species, including humans (Rodrigues-Silva et al, 1995). Canids are normal hosts to the parasite (Pappas and Lunzman, 1985;Fox et al, 1986;Starr and Mulley, 1988;Gortazar et al, 1994;Sacks, 1998), and the infection in other species seems to be aberrant.…”

Dirofilariose: zoonose emergente negligenciada

“…De todos os casos registrados na literatura em humanos, tem-se o registro de somente 17 casos no Brasil, apesar das condições altamente favoráveis para a transmissão da infecção para os seres humanos (RODRIGUES-SILVA et al, 1995) Conceitos errôneos têm dificultado o reconhecimento da apresentação clínica da dirofilariose pulmonar e o potencial para a D. immitis se alojar em muitas outras áreas do corpo humano além do pulmão.…”

“…Além disso, tecido fibroso circunda o nódulo. A lesão pulmonar é caracterizada, por exames radiográficos, como uma lesão em moeda (coin lesion), de um a três centímetros de diâmetro na periferia do lobo pulmonar, rodeada por parênquima pulmonar normal (RODRIGUES-SILVA et al, 1995;KNAUER, 1998).…”

“…É o procedimento diagnóstico mais utilizado, permitindo a sua confirmação e o prognóstico (AHS, 2007). As lesões são normalmente auto-limitantes e calcificadas, em forma de moeda, de difícil diferenciação, confundindose com neoplasia, cisto sebáceo, cisto hemático, outras doenças infecciosas e granulomas (RODRIGUES-SILVA et al, 1995;PAMPIGLIONE et al, 2001;THEIS, 2005;SIMÓN et al, 2007). Mediante a presença de pneumonite inicial e conseqüente formação de granuloma, a identificação da lesão em forma de moeda torna-se possível somente após a clarificação do padrão radiológico pulmonar (THEIS, 2005).…”

Evaluation of Larval Development of Dirofilaria immitis in Different Populations of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus

“…This filarioid primarily affects dogs, but infection has also been reported in cats [2,3], wild carnivores [4,5] and humans [6]. In this later host, infection is characterized by the presence of pulmonary nodules (the so-called "coin lesion") and no apparent symptoms [7].…”