Human orbital dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens. An autochthonous case in southwestern France.

We present a new French case of human orbital dirofilariasis due to Dirofil aria repens. This parasite affecting dogs is transmitted by mosquitoes. In France, the reported geographic range of D. repens is located in the southe astern Mediterranean regions and Corsica. Human infestation is rare: about 60 cases have been reported in France so far. Human dirofilariasis is benig n and involves subcutaneous and ocular manifestations. The diagnostic is ma de by excisional biopsy, which is also the sole recommended treatment. This observation proves that this parasitic disease is also present in the sout hwestern Atlantic region of France. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques et medi cales Elsevier SAS.