Dirofilaria repens Testicular Infection in Child, Italy

Testicular Dirofilaria repens infection was identified and confirmed by sequence analysis in a child in northeastern Italy. Because human dirofilariasis is emerging in southern and eastern Europe, this parasitic infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of scrotal swelling in disease-endemic countries to avoid unnecessary interventions, such as orchiectomy.

Automated summary

This study identified and confirmed a case of testicular Dirofilaria repens infection in a child in northeastern Italy through sequence analysis. Given the increasing incidence of human dirofilariasis in southern and eastern Europe, this parasitic infection should be considered as a possible cause of scrotal swelling in endemic countries to avoid unnecessary interventions.