Khedr, S., Said, D., Zeitoun, I., Mogahed, N. (2021). Scanning electron microscopy as a confirmatory tool for morphological identification of Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens. Parasitologists United Journal, 14(1), 22-28. doi: 10.21608/puj.2021.53673.1100
Safaa Khedr; Doaa Said; Ibrahim Zeitoun; Nermine Mogahed. "Scanning electron microscopy as a confirmatory tool for morphological identification of Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens". Parasitologists United Journal, 14, 1, 2021, 22-28. doi: 10.21608/puj.2021.53673.1100
Khedr, S., Said, D., Zeitoun, I., Mogahed, N. (2021). 'Scanning electron microscopy as a confirmatory tool for morphological identification of Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens', Parasitologists United Journal, 14(1), pp. 22-28. doi: 10.21608/puj.2021.53673.1100
Khedr, S., Said, D., Zeitoun, I., Mogahed, N. Scanning electron microscopy as a confirmatory tool for morphological identification of Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens. Parasitologists United Journal, 2021; 14(1): 22-28. doi: 10.21608/puj.2021.53673.1100
Scanning electron microscopy as a confirmatory tool for morphological identification of Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens
1Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine,Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
2Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery Department, Faculty of Dentistry
Abstract
Background: Dirofilaria repens (Railliet & Henry, 1911) is a filarial nematode that mainly affects canids. It can also infect humans accidentally, causing subcutaneous or conjunctival lesions, especially in the Old- World, including Egypt. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is very useful in diagnosis and identification of different parasites including D. repens. Objectives: The current work aimed to use SEM as a confirmatory tool for morphological identification of D. repens. Material and Methods: Morphological diagnosis of the excised nematodes was performed by studying their naked eye and light microscopic appearance. This was then confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Three worms were identified; one was excised from a maxillofacial subcutaneous lesion and two were excised from a bulbar conjunctival lesion. All worms were females. Scanning electron microscopic examination showed external cuticular longitudinal ridges and circular striations on the worm surface especially in the mid-body region; which are characteristic for D. repens. The anterior end of the worms was wider than the posterior end that possessed a dimple-like anal orifice. The anterior end of the subconjunctival worms was spoon-like, and wider than that of the subcutaneous worm. The dimple-like anal orifice of the subconjunctival worm was more retracted than that of the subcutaneous worm. Conclusion: SEM was used as a confirmatory tool for the diagnosis of two new human cases of dirofilariasis diagnosed in Egypt.
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