DIROFILARIASIS IN FRANCE - A CASE IN LANG UEDOC IN AN HIV-POSITIVE SUBJECT

Dirofilaria repens is an endemic canine parasite in the Mediterranean area, Human infestation is rare, We observed a case in an HIV-positive patient who presented an ocular filaria which was successfully remove d under local anesthesia. In man, filariae may be expulsed without a p arasite cycle or complete a growth cycle, depending on the individual' s immunological status, The disease has been known in southern France for several centuries, mainly in lagoons near the Mediterranean seasid e, A review of the literature however shows that observation of clinic al cases is rare, only 46 cases having been reported to date. Outcome is favorable.