Human pulmonary dirofilariasis: a review

Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo

Rosângela Rodrigues-silva²  Hércules Moura¹  Cerusa Dreyer¹  Luiz Rey¹ 

[1] ,FIOCRUZ IOC Departamento de Helmintologia

关键词: Human pulmonary dirofilariasis;    Epidemiology;    Dirofilaria immitis;    Dirofilaria repens;    Brazil;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0036-46651995000600009

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

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 unneccessary surgery. These techniques may reveal the true prevalence of this parasitic infection in our environment.

【 授权许可】

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