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A case of human Dirofilaria repens infection, causing an asymptomatic subcutaneous nodule

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Abstract

We present a case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis, a vector-borne zoonotic disease, in a young woman from Austria. The diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound and histology of the excised subcutaneous nodule. The parasite species was identified as Dirofilaria repens by polymerase chain reaction. We expect to see more cases of human dirofilariasis also due to climate change and associated increase of the spectrum of suitable mosquito vectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie. Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    Andreas Haim, Maria Kitchen, Thomas Rettenbacher & Matthias Schmuth

  2. Institut für spezifische Prophylaxe und Tropenmedizin. Medizinische Universität Wien, Kinderspitalsgasse 15, 1090, Wien, Austria

    Herbert Auer

Authors
  1. Andreas Haim
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  2. Maria Kitchen
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  3. Herbert Auer
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  4. Thomas Rettenbacher
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  5. Matthias Schmuth
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Correspondence to Maria Kitchen.

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Haim, A., Kitchen, M., Auer, H. et al. A case of human Dirofilaria repens infection, causing an asymptomatic subcutaneous nodule. Parasitol Res 119, 1703–1705 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06655-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06655-x

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