First reports of autochthonous eyeworm infection by Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) in dogs and cat from France

Vet Parasitol. 2007 Nov 10;149(3-4):294-7. doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.08.005. Epub 2007 Sep 12.

Abstract

Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is a small nematode living in the conjunctival sac of domestic and wild carnivores, rabbits and humans causing lacrimation, epiphora, conjunctivitis, keratitis and even corneal ulcers. The first autochthonous cases of thelaziosis affecting four dogs and one cat living in South Western France (Dordogne area) are reported and described. Nematodes recovered from the animals were morphologically identified as T. callipaeda and a partial region of the cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 gene (cox1) was amplified by PCR from nematode specimens (from two dogs and the cat). In each case, this was shown to have an identical sequence to the haplotype 1 (h1) of T. callipaeda. So far, the arthropod acting as intermediate host of T. callipaeda eyeworms has not been identified in France although it might be Phortica variegata (Steganinae, Drosophilidae) as recently described in Italy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cat Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cats
  • Dog Diseases / epidemiology
  • Dog Diseases / parasitology*
  • Dogs
  • Eye Diseases / epidemiology
  • Eye Diseases / parasitology
  • Eye Diseases / veterinary*
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Spirurida Infections / epidemiology
  • Spirurida Infections / veterinary*
  • Thelazioidea / isolation & purification