A rare subcutaneous periorbital zoonotic infection in a 42-year-old female patient

Human dirofilariasis represents a zoonotic infectious disorder caused by parasites belonging to the Dirofilaria genus, which includes numerous species with a large variability regarding the host specificity, life cycle, and clinical manifestations. This disease appears to be a vector-borne parasitosis that is spread through insects – intermediate hosts (usually mosquitos) – and affects several carnivores as definitive hosts. Humans represent an unsuitable host for the parasite to complete its life cycle, being unable to release microfilariae in the blood as the inoculated larvae fail to reach sexual maturity. Therefore, humans are unable to transmit the infection to other humans, neither directly nor through an intermediate host. The current case report indicates a rare encounter of a Dirofilaria repens infection in a 42-year-old female patient living in an urban area (Craiova, Romania), who developed intermittent right periorbital edema after a previous trip to Greece. Over the course of one month, the right periorbital edema gradually remitted, and a firm, round lump developed in the external inferior right periorbital region. There were no similar clinical manifestations among other family members. Her medical history showed no other complaints or any serious general health problems. Also, the patient denied having any pets at home. The blood tests did not reveal any abnormalities. The exact source of infection could not be identified, but the chances for this infection to be related to the history of traveling to Greece are high, given that this region is one of the most important endemic areas in Europe.