Abstract
Over the last 30 years, Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida: Thelaziidae) has increasingly been reported as an agent of ocular infections in animals and humans throughout Europe. Following the cases of canine ocular thelaziosis recently recorded in Austria for the first time, in the present paper, we describe the first case of T. callipaeda infection in an Austrian cat with no history of traveling abroad. This finding further supports the occurrence of the parasite’s autochthonous transmission cycle in the country. The cat showed serous ocular discharge, conjunctival hyperemia, and mild conjunctival edema in the right eye. Mechanical removal of the parasite from the cat’s eye, in combination with milbemycin oxime/praziquantel oral treatment and topical use of tobramycin/dexamethasone eye drops led to complete resolution of the clinical signs within 2 weeks. Results presented in the current study are of great importance for the local veterinarians who seemed largely unaware of this zoonotic parasite. Therefore, increased awareness of medical and veterinary communities is imperative for preventing further infections in both animals and humans.
Highlights
Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is a vectorborne nematode of veterinary and medical concerns inhabiting the conjunctival sac and associated ocular tissues of domestic and wild carnivores, lagomorphs, and humans (Otranto et al 2009, 2015)
We describe the first case of feline ocular thelaziosis due to T. callipaeda in Austria
Following the recent reports of canine thelaziosis in Austria (Hinney et al 2016), the current study describes the first case of T. callipaeda infection in a cat that never traveled abroad, further supporting the existence of autochthonous transmission cycle in the country
Summary
Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is a vectorborne nematode of veterinary and medical concerns inhabiting the conjunctival sac and associated ocular tissues of domestic and wild carnivores, lagomorphs, and humans (Otranto et al 2009, 2015). This zoonotic parasite is capable to induce a variety of clinical signs in the infected hosts, ranging from asymptomatic carriage to mild and severe ocular pathology that includes, e.g., epiphora, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and keratitis (Otranto and Traversa 2005). In November 2018, a six-year-old neutered male European shorthair cat, suffering from chronic conjunctivitis of the right eye, was referred to its local veterinary clinic in Deutschlandsberg, Austria (coordinates, 46° 48′ 58′′ N, 15° 12′ 54′′ E) (Fig. 1). AM042549), which is the only haplotype circulating among animals and humans in Europe
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
