Dirofilariasis is an infection by parasites of the genus ''
Dirofilaria
''Dirofilaria'' is a filarial (arthropod-borne) nematode (roundworm), in the family Onchocercidae. Some species cause dirofilariasis, a state of parasitic infection, in humans and other animals.
There are about 27 species in the genus.Michalsk ...
''. It is transmitted through a mosquito bite; its main hosts include dogs and wild canids. These can give rise to
granuloma
A granuloma is an aggregation of macrophages that forms in response to chronic inflammation. This occurs when the immune system attempts to isolate foreign substances that it is otherwise unable to eliminate. Such substances include infectious ...
s in the pulmonary artery. Some common symptoms include cough, fever and pleural effusion. It may also appear on
X-ray
An X-ray, or, much less commonly, X-radiation, is a penetrating form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. Most X-rays have a wavelength ranging from 10 picometers to 10 nanometers, corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 ...
s of the chest.
Causes
It can be caused by:
* ''
Dirofilaria immitis
''Dirofilaria immitis'', also known as heartworm or dog heartworm, is a parasitic roundworm that is a type of filarial worm, a small thread-like worm, that causes dirofilariasis. It is spread from host to host through the bites of mosquitoe ...
''
* ''
Dirofilaria repens''
* ''
Dirofilaria tenuis''
Diagnosis
Dirofilariasis is often diagnosed by the examination of tissue obtained as part of the diagnostic investigation of
coin lesions. Blood tests are not yet helpful in the diagnosis of dirofilariasis in humans.
Treatment
Treatment with
tetracycline antibiotics
Tetracyclines are a group of broad-spectrum antibiotic compounds that have a common basic structure and are either isolated directly from several species of '' Streptomyces'' bacteria or produced semi-synthetically from those isolated compounds. ...
has been reported to damage ''Dirofilaria immitis'', often causing death of adult worms.
References
External links
Helminthiases
Zoonoses
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