The dog heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) in man. An epidemic pending or in progress?

Abstract

Human infection with the dog heartworm (D. immitis) may lead to focal pulmonary infarction with granuloma formation. The resulting roentgenographic coin lesion may require a diagnostic thoracotomy in consideration of malignancy. Because of sometimes enigmatic histopathological characteristics, this process may not be receiving the recognition it deserves. The dramatic increase of primary (canine) host infections in the USA presages an increase of secondary (human) host infections. Many thoracotomies are performed for this innocuous process unless the dirofilarial agent can be controlled or the human pulmonary lesion can be reliably identified without operation.