Year: 2026 | Month: April-June | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 186-194
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260221
Human Dirofilariasis: An Emerging Zoonotic Infection with Diagnostic and Surgical Challenges - A Narrative Review
Clara Tomisin Alao1*, Fathmath Siyana Mohamed1, Juman Ahmed Shujau1, Mariyam Iba Azeem1, Mohammed Iqbal Fathima Hasna1
1Department of Surgical Diseases, Grodno State Medical University, Grodno, Belarus.
Corresponding Author: Clara Tomisin Ala
ABSTRACT
Dirofilariasis is an infectious disease spread via vectors, mainly caused by D. immitis and D. repens, and which affects both dogs and humans globally. Clinicians are generally unaware of this condition, especially in non-endemic areas, leading to inappropriate drug prescriptions and delayed diagnosis and treatment. Dirofilariasis is increasingly reported in some European countries, Asia, and the Americas due to climate change, increasing numbers of mosquitoes, and greater pet mobility. This review discusses the life cycles of dirofilariasis, its diagnostic challenges, its surgical treatment, and the reasons why pharmacologic treatments are rarely needed when addressing dirofilariasis. The central point in this essay is that human dirofilariasis is underdiagnosed, often overlooked, and easily curable once diagnosed.
Keywords: Dirofilariasis, Surgical treatment, zoonotic infections