Canine dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens.: Review from literature and a clinical case.

Subcutaneous dirofilariasis is a helminthic zoonosis, world-wide distributed and due to Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens. In the mediterranean countries the nematode has been frequently reported in dogs, but its pathogenic role is still poorly understood. In this paper the published evidences are reviewed. The clinic al case describes the discovery of a living adult female and two larvae of Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens in a small subcutaneous nodule of a dog with pruritic manifestations, microfilariae of D. repens in the bloodstream and concurrent Babesia sp. infection. Specific treatment led to a complete recovery from the syndrome.