Human Dirofilaria repens infection in dacryology: insights from a retrospective analysis of canine cases in Latvia

Human Dirofilaria repens infection in dacryology: insights from a retrospective analysis of canine cases in Latvia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Short Report Human Dirofilaria repens infection in dacryology: insights from a retrospective analysis of canine cases in Latvia Ekaterina Kondratishko, Inga Piginka-Vjaceslavova, Dina Cirule, and 5 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8818700/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 8 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Dirofilariasis, a vector-borne disease caused by nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria , is a growing concern in both veterinary and human medicine. While historically endemic to Mediterranean regions, Dirofilaria repens has expanded to southern and eastern Europe, including the Baltic states, likely due to global warming and the movement of infected dogs. This study presents the first officially recorded case of D. repens infection in a Latvian patient with no history of international travel. A subcutaneous pseudocyst located near the lacrimal sac was surgically removed, and histological examination confirmed the presence of D. repens . The clinical case highlights diagnostic challenges, including nonspecific symptoms, ineffective empirical treatments, and the necessity for surgical intervention to confirm the diagnosis. Despite the zoonotic and emerging impact of D. repens , it remains underresearched compared with Dirofilaria immitis . The lack of centralized data collection and interdisciplinary collaboration complicates diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiological monitoring. Greater awareness and preventive measures targeting human and canine populations are essential to mitigate the increasing incidence and spread of this neglected parasitic disease. Dirofilariasis vector-borne disease periorbital lesion emerging parasitic disease acute dacryocystitis Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Graphicalabstract.png Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 06 May, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 20 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 17 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 16 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 16 Feb, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 16 Feb, 2026 First submitted to journal 07 Feb, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8818700","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Short Report","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":607721135,"identity":"6f0d096d-0330-4d84-87d5-c74d401d336c","order_by":0,"name":"Ekaterina 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While historically endemic to Mediterranean regions, \u003cem\u003eDirofilaria repens\u003c/em\u003e has expanded to southern and eastern Europe, including the Baltic states, likely due to global warming and the movement of infected dogs. This study presents the first officially recorded case of \u003cem\u003eD. repens\u003c/em\u003e infection in a Latvian patient with no history of international travel. A subcutaneous pseudocyst located near the lacrimal sac was surgically removed, and histological examination confirmed the presence of \u003cem\u003eD. repens\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe clinical case highlights diagnostic challenges, including nonspecific symptoms, ineffective empirical treatments, and the necessity for surgical intervention to confirm the diagnosis. Despite the zoonotic and emerging impact of \u003cem\u003eD. repens\u003c/em\u003e, it remains underresearched compared with \u003cem\u003eDirofilaria immitis\u003c/em\u003e. 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