Medical Microbiology

Nematoda(Roundworms) 605

Dirofilaria

Causativeagentofdirofilariosis

ThelarvaeofDirofilariaimmitisandDirofilariarepens,whichintheadultstagesare

parasitesofdogs,cats,andwildcarnivores,areoccasionallytransmittedtohumans

bymosquitoes:immaturestagesofD.immitisusuallyinvadethelungsandproduce

1 – 4 cmroundfocithere,whereasthestagesofD.repensareusuallyfoundin

subcutaneousnodules.InEurope,themajorityofautochthonouscasesarere-

portedfromItaly,France,andGreece.Importedinfectionsarereportedfrom

othercountriesaswell(Germany,Austria,Switzerland,etc.).

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Kayser, Medical Microbiology © 2005 Thieme