Human dirofilariasis: current situation and possibilities for diagnosis

Dirofilariasis in humans is a rarely diagnosed vector-borne zoonotic helminthic invasion. It is caused from filarial nematodes genus Dirofilaria & Railliet Henry, 1911 (Onchocercidae, Nematoda). Usually, the life cycle of the parasite takes place between mosquitoes (Culicidae) and carnivores. The human is an accidental host for the dirofilaria wherefore microfilariae in his blood circulation are almost always absent. The pathology of dirofilariasis results from the accidental localization of immature worms in the human body. Dirofilaria immitis caused heart and pulmonary dirofilariasis, but Dirofilaria repens, D. tenuis, and others can are found in different parts of the human body. The spread and Dirofilaria-invasive rates аrе undergone significant modifications affected by global climate change. Surgical extraction of the parasite in humans usually has a therapeutic effect, after which an etiological diagnosis is possible. The aim of the study is to review the current situation of human dirofilariasis in clinical and epidemiological aspects and possibilities for diagnosis.