Onchocerca lupi in imported dogs in the UK: implications for animal and public health

Abstract

The zoonotic nematode Onchocerca lupi is reported in two dogs in the UK, re-homed from Europe. One dog developed an ocular nodule seven years after arrival from Spain, whereas the other dog, originally from Romania, developed recurring nodular lesions in both eyes. In this dog, parasitism was particularly invasive and resulted in unilateral enucleation. Increasingly, former stray dogs of unknown infection status are entering the UK, raising veterinary and medical concerns.

Editorial: Dog filariosis: the threat walks not only in the blood stream

“…Although Dirofilaria species have been widely studied, other filarial nematodes are known to parasitize dogs, such as O. lupi (29)(30)(31). This nematode is an emergent species infecting domestic dogs and has been identified in Europe, the Middle East and North America (32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39). This parasite's infection in canids is characterized by the presence of ocular lesions, including subconjunctival granulomas (33, 40, 41).…”