Human pulmonary dirofilariasis. A case report and review of the literature.

A case of pulmonary dirofilariasis in a 48-year-old woman is presented. This rare pulmonary disorder is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, the canine heartworm. A review of the literature revealed 40 documented cases, most of which have occurred in the United States within the past 10 years. The incidence of pulmonary dirofilariasis appears to be increasing; thus, this entity represents an important zoonosis and indicates a need for familiarity with the pathologic features of the lesions and the morphologic characteristics of the worm.