The Vector-Borne Zoonotic Nematode Thelazia callipaeda in the Eastern Part of Europe, with a Clinical Case Report in a Dog in Poland

Leszek Rolbiecki,Joanna N Izdebska,Sławomira Fryderyk,Lech Iliszko,Marta Franke

doi:10.3390/pathogens10010055

Abstract

Thelazia callipaeda is a zoonotic nematode transmitted by drosophilid flies. It causes ocular thelaziosis, a disease of carnivores, such as dogs, cats, and foxes, and also humans. The parasite has thus far been observed in various areas of Eurasia, including 20 countries within Europe. The present study documents its presence in the south-east region of Poland, near the Ukraine border. An adult nematode was removed from the conjunctival sac of a dog showing ocular inflammation and purulent discharge. The dog’s precise origin is unknown. Based on its localization and morphometrical features, the nematode was identified as a Thelazia callipaeda adult male. The present study is the first report of T. callipaeda in a dog in Poland.

Highlights

Thelazia callipaeda Railliet et Henry, 1910 (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is a parasitic nematode of the eye known to cause thelaziosis, a parasite infection of carnivores, lagomorphs and humans [1,2]
The present study is the first report of T. callipaeda in a dog in Poland
A stray dog was observed in Poland, in the border area with Ukraine, from July 2019 (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Thelazia callipaeda Railliet et Henry, 1910 (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) is a parasitic nematode of the eye known to cause thelaziosis, a parasite infection of carnivores, lagomorphs and humans [1,2]. The parasite was first discovered over one hundred years ago in Punjab, India [5], and has been far observed in other areas of Asia, such as China, Myanmar, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, South of Korea, Japan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, and the former USSR [3,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14], and in 20 countries in Europe [15,16]. Previous records from Western, Central and Southern Europe suggest that the nematode may occur in neighboring countries, such as Poland and Ukraine. The present study is the first report of T. callipaeda in a dog in Poland

Methods

Results

Conclusion