We report 74 patients in Italy infected with Mansonella perstans nematodes, a poorly described filarial parasite. M. perstans nematodes should be included in the differential diagnosis for patients with eosinophilia from disease-endemic countries. Serologic analysis is useful for screening, and testing for microfilaremia in peripheral blood should be performed for parasite-positive patients.
Keywords: Italy; Mansonella perstans; eosinophilia; expatriates; filariasis; immigrants; imported infections; microfilaremia; nematodes; parasites.