Thelaziosis in Humans, a Zoonotic Infection, Spain, 2011

Abstract

After Thelazia callipaeda infection in dogs and cats were reported in Spain, a human case of thelaziosis in this country was reported, suggesting zoonotic transmission. The active reproductive status of this nematode in situ indicates that humans are competent hosts for this parasite.

Canine and Feline Thelaziosis Caused by Thelazia Callipaeda in Serbia

“…First cases of human thelaziosis have been recently described in some parts of Europe that had been previously reported to be endemic for canine thelaziosis [16,17]. Because of the expansion rather than limitation of spread of T. callipaeda in European countries and the zoonotic potential of this parasite, closer cooperation between veterinary and medical services is necessary in order to control this zoonosis.…”

“…In addition to the infections in domestic and/or wild carnivores in Switzerland, Spain, Belgium and Portugal [10][11][12][13][14][15] T. callipaeda infection was also reported in brown hares from Italy [2]. Human ocular infections caused by T. callipaeda detected in endemic areas of Italy, France and Spain implicated the epidemiological importance of this parasite and the need for control measures [16,17]. The intermediate host and vector for T. callipaeda in Europe is the fruit fl y Phortica variegata (Drosophilidae, Steganinae), which is confi rmed under both experimental and natural conditions [18,19].…”

Two cases of human thelaziasis as confirmed by mitochondrialcox1sequencing in China

“…8 We recorded the female worm that is producing larvae and defined the ovoviviparous 20 process of the nematode, presenting further evidence that human beings may act as definitive hosts or even transmission sources of T. callipaeda. Thelaziosis is characterized by a range of subclinical to clinical signs.…”

“…Both differ in morphology and geographical distribution. 1 T. callipaeda, also called the oriental eyeworm, is common in Southeast Asia [2][3][4][5] and Europe, [6][7][8] and T. californiensis has been reported to infect human beings occasionally in the United States. 9 Human thelaziasis may reach higher prevalence in poor socioeconomic settings.…”

Serbia: Another endemic region for canine ocular thelaziosis

“…After the parasite had spread among domestic and wild carnivores in Europe, the first human cases of this zoonotic disease were described in Italy, France, and Serbia (18,24). Although humans are competent hosts, they usually act as accidental final hosts, in whom the third-stage larvae can grow into adults, but without epidemiologic effects on parasite transmission (7). All cases of thelaziosis in humans were reported during summer, in the period of the most intensive vector activity (19,21).…”