A Filarial Infection Apparently Acquired in New York City

Abstract

Summary Two dead, adolescent, female filarial worms and one male were found in an enlarged, non-tender, inguinal lymph node removed on suspicion of a lymphoma from a 47-year-old New York resident whose travels had not extended beyond Northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Owing to the degenerate condition of the worms, a positive identification could not be made. On the basis of the evident morphological features and location of the worms, and the circumstances of the infection, it was apparent that the species involved was not a Dirofilaria and probably not a Dipetalonema, but the possibility that it was a Wuchereria, Brugia or Brugia-like species acquired indirectly from an infected immigrant or a native mammal, or directly from an imported mosquito, could not be ruled out.