CUTANEOUS DIROFILARIASIS (DIROFILARIA-REP ENS) - AN AUTOCHTHONOUS CASE IN GIRONDE

Introduction. Cutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens is a parasitic disease in dogs and cats. It is exceedingly rare in man w ho is an occasional host. The parasite fails to reach maturity. The tr ue incidence of dirofilariasis is probably greater than recognized. Th is can be explained by the apparent benign nature of the lesions that may not warrant excision. Case report. A 12-year-old girl presented a cutaneous nodular lesion involving the forehead. Surgical excision all owed diagnosis: cutaneous dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens. The child had always stayed in mainland France. Histopathological exa mination showed the worm trail with inflammatory granulomatous reactio n of the deep dermis. The parasite extraction allowed Successful treat ment. Discussion. This new case of cutaneous dirofilariasis emphasizes that this parasitic disease is present in mainland France. The infect ion is more common in Southern France. The present report describes a pediatric case in Gironde, where it is exceedingly rare. Microscopic e xamination identified, and it was unusual, a male worm.