Thelazia callipaeda: vigilance is the best course of action

Thelazia callipaeda is a parasitic nematode inhabiting the conjunctival sac (often under the lids and/or the nictitating membrane) of dogs, cats, rabbits and wildlife, causing ocular signs and lesions that vary from mild conjunctivitis to corneal opacity and ulceration.1,2 It is a parasite of zoonotic importance and although most of the cases reported in people are in Asian countries (oriental eyeworm),3 some cases of human thelaziosis have been recorded in Europe since 2005.4–7 In Europe, T callipaeda is transmitted by the drosophilid fly, Phortica variegata, a fruit fly that feeds not only on plant juices, but also on the lachrymal secretions of animals and people.8 Although there are some countries in Europe, for example, Italy, France and Switzerland,9–11 that are considered enzootic for T callipaeda, over the past five years, a series of...
Source: Veterinary Record - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Research Source Type: research