[Subcutaneous dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens in Tunisia: a case involving the scrotum].

Dirofilariasis is a rare anthroponotic disease encountered only in the old world with most cases having been reported from Italy. The dog is the reservoir of this parasite. Man is accidentally infected by mosquitoes. We report the case involving a 27-year-old man living in a rural region of northern Tunisia who presented with a subcutaneous abscess-like scrotal nodule. Microscopic examination of the surgical specimen unexpectedly revealed parasitic involvement. Morphologic examination led to diagnosis of subcutaneous dirofilariasis due to Dirofilaria repens. This case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis brings the total number of cases reported in Tunisia to 6 and is a reminder that this parasitic disease is present in our country and that its incidence is probably underestimated. The scrotum is a rare location that poses the problem of differential diagnosis with malignant tumor or can simulate a surgical emergency. Excision allows diagnosis and treatment.