Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis

Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis (HSD) is a zoonotic filariasis caused by an infection with one of the several species of worms belonging to the genus dirofilaria. Most documented cases are attributed to dirofilaria repens. The parasites are transmitted to man by zoo-anthropophilic blood sucking insects and an infection is manifested as subcutaneous nodules. We hereby report a case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis in front of the neck, in a 40-yearold female, clinically mimicking thyroglossal cyst. An excision biopsy showed the presence of an adult dirofilaria identified as D.repens with granulomatous inflammatory reaction.