Dirofilariasis
{{short description|Human disease transmitted by mosquitoes}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name = Dirofilariasis
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| image = Parasite140076-fig1 Dirofilaria repens removed from a subcutaneous nodule - Photos.png
| caption = Comparison of probable Dirofilaria repens (left) and Dirofilaria immitis (right)
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Dirofilariasis is an infection by parasites of the genus Dirofilaria.{{cite journal | last=Klochko | first=Alena | title=Dirofilariasis: Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology | website=Medscape Reference | date=2023-11-07 | url=https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/236698-overview | access-date=2024-08-10}} It is transmitted through a mosquito bite; its main hosts include dogs and wild canids. These can give rise to granulomas in the pulmonary artery. Some common symptoms include cough, fever and pleural effusion. It may also appear on X-rays of the chest.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/dirofilariasis/faqs.html|title=Dirofilariasis FAQs|date=February 8, 2012|website=Center for disease control and prevention|access-date=May 16, 2019}}
Causes
Dirofilariasis is caused by the bites of mosquitoes. The adult worms produce microfilariae in the circulation, which are ingested by mosquitoes when they bite an infected animal. Inside the mosquito, the microfilariae develop into infective larvae. When the mosquito bites another animal, these larvae migrate to the bite site and develop into adult heartworms in the heart and pulmonary arteries.
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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/dirofilariasis/faqs.html |title=CDC - Dirofliariasis - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |last=Prevention |first=CDC - Centers for Disease Control and |website=www.cdc.gov |language=en-us |access-date=2017-10-08}}
Treatment
Treatment with tetracycline antibiotics has been reported to damage Dirofilaria immitis, often causing death of adult worms.{{Cite journal |last1=Kramer |first1=L. |last2=Grandi |first2=G. |last3=Leoni |first3=M. |last4=Passeri |first4=B. |last5=McCall |first5=J. |last6=Genchi |first6=C. |last7=Mortarino |first7=M. |last8=Bazzocchi |first8=C. |date=2008-12-10 |title=Wolbachia and its influence on the pathology and immunology of Dirofilaria immitis infection |journal=Veterinary Parasitology |volume=158 |issue=3 |pages=191–195 |doi=10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.09.014 |issn=0304-4017 |pmid=18947926}}
References
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External links
{{Medical resources
| DiseasesDB = 31226
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|B|74|8|b|65}}
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|125.6}}
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| eMedicineSubj = article
| eMedicineTopic = 236698
| MeshID = D004184
| Orphanet = 166291
}}
{{Helminthiases}}