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ORPHA:166291Disease
What it is
Dirofilariasis is a form of filariasis, caused by the filarial nematode of the genus Dirofilaria (including Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria immitis), which is transmitted by mosquitoes. The disease is characterized by the presence of subcutaneous nodules (or a conjunctival form that develops slowly and that can be painless to tender), edema and erythema at the site of parasite localization, a feeling of 'crawling' under the skin, and the ''Calabar'' swelling (similar to thatin loiasis. The latter may last a few days and recurrences are possible. Common localizations of dirofilaria are head and neck, most commonly in the periorbital region, the limbs and trunk.
Key facts
- Prevalence
- <1 / 1 000 000 (Europe)
- Age of onset
- All ages
- Inheritance
- Not applicable
- Classified as
- Disease
Prevalence figures describe populations, not individuals, and are often estimates from a single study. Where the figure is an incidence or a birth prevalence, it says so.
ICD-10 codes
Cross-references
Orphadata Science: Free access data from Orphanet. © INSERM 1999. Data version 2026-06-23. Available under CC BY 4.0. This is a reference, not medical advice.
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