Periocular dirofilariasis in a patient on anticancer chemotherapy

Dirofilaria repens is an endemic parasite in Mediterranean countries that mostly affects animals. Rarely, it can infect humans causing inflammatory subcutaneous swelling. We present a 67 years old male patient with history of chemotherapy for carcinoma bladder who presented with painless swelling about 2x1.5cm approximately 4cm from the lower lid. The mass was freely mobile with no signs of inflammation. The excision biopsy showed three filarial parasites of Dirofilaria Repens species in the mass with mild granulation around them. The serology was negative. The case report showed that ocular filariasis can present as a non inflammatory tumour of the eyelid in non endemic regions (Tamil Nadu, where it is not often reported) also with blood serology being negative due to chronic immunosuppresion due to anticancer medications and radiotherapy.