Imported Infections with Mansonella perstans Nematodes

M perstans is a filarial nematode present in 33 countries in sub-Saharan Africa; sporadic cases have been reported in Latin America, mostly in the Caribbean and along the Atlantic coast (1); ≈20% of inhabitants of diseaseendemic countries are infected (2). Flies of the genus Culicoides transmit infective larvae to humans. Larvae transform into macrofilariae, which live in serous cavities of the human body, where they produce microfilariae, which are released into peripheral blood 9–12 months after infection. Few studies/case series have reported signs and symptoms (e.g., subcutaneous edema, rash, abdominal pain, Imported Infections with Mansonella perstans Nematodes, Italy