dirofilariasis /dī′rōfil′ərī″əsis/ , a human infestation of the dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, and the closely related D. (Nochtiella) repens, both of which may be transmitted through the bite of any of several species of mosquitoes. The filaria migrate through the bloodstream to the lung, producing pulmonary nodules and causing chest pain, coughing, and hemoptysis. The disease is rare among humans, but some species have been found to infect subcutaneous tissue and the eyes. Human disease is independent of dog ownership. Humans are dead-end hosts for the parasites. Also called zoonotic filariasis.
