RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal filarial infection is extremely rare. METHODS: Case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: A 63-year-old man presented with a painful swelling in the peri-umbilical area. An urgent laparotomy was performed for suspected strangulated peri-umbilical hernia. A live intraperitoneal worm was retrieved during the repair of the hernial sac that proved to be a female Dirofilaria immitis. CONCLUSIONS: Only one previous case of intraperitoneal involvement by dirofilariasis is described in the medical literature. Ours is the first case report of a live dirofilarial worm in the abdominal cavity of a human being.

Asunto(s)

Cavidad Abdominal/parasitología , Cavidad Abdominal/cirugía , Dirofilaria immitis , Dirofilariasis/cirugía , Animales , Dirofilariasis/parasitología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad