Thelazia callipaeda: infection in dogs: a new parasite for Spain

Abstract

BackgroundThelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae), eyeworms, are known as the causative agents of thelaziosis, initially described in Asia and, later on, over the last decade, also in some European countries (e.g., Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland). In June 2010, the first case of canine thelaziosis was observed in central western Spain (La Vera region, Cáceres) and subsequent epidemiological investigation is reported in the present study.ResultsThis study describes the first autochthonous cases of infection by T. callipaeda in dogs from central western Spain where the first case of eyeworm infection was reported.A total of 456 dogs was examined in this geographical area. Thelazia callipaeda eyeworms were observed in 182 (39.9%) animals, of which 28 showed apparent clinical signs (i.e., conjunctivitis, oedema, epiphora and petechiae). A total of 762 adult nematodes (214 males, 548 females; mean infection rate of 4.18; SD 4.74) were collected with cotton swabs or by flushing of the conjunctival sac of infected animals using physiological saline solution. Nematodes were identified as T. callipaeda according to the morphological keys and molecular analysis of sequences of a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. The sequences were identical to those representing T. callipaeda haplotype 1, previously reported in Europe.ConclusionsThe high infection rate of canine thelaziosis herein reported suggests that practitioners should include this eye infection amongst differential diagnoses of ocular diseases in dogs from this area of Spain or those moving across this area of Spain. Based on the high infection prevalence recorded, the potential public health risk to humans from this region is also discussed.

Canine and Feline Thelaziosis Caused by Thelazia Callipaeda in Serbia

“…The fact that all parasites in this study originated from infected animals with clinical symptoms (bilateral or unilateral conjunctivitis) indicates that thelaziosis is underdiagnosed in Serbia, which is in agreement with recently reported studies including Thelazia affected dogs and cats from other Europian countries [15,26,28].…”

“…Detection of the eyeworm in animals that had never travelled abroad indicates of autochthonous presence of thelaziosis in Serbia as it was previously recorded by other authors in endemic areas similar in geographic position, altitude and fi eld confi guration to those in our study [5,[8][9][10][13][14][15]26]. In addition, distances between localities (from 16 to 146 km air distance) and the affected area (about 12390 km 2 ) in our study indicate the endemic nature of thelaziosis in Serbia.…”

“…The number of parasites per animal (7 to 150) in our study was greater than reported by other researchers (from 1 to 76) [10,[13][14][15]26]. The highest parasite burden was observed in a 8-years-old hunting dog (harbouring totally 150 parasites).…”

Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida: Thelaziidae): first report in Greece and a case of canine infection

“…The site of infection of the dog in Greece is located at 41°19′ N latitude and 22°77′ E longitude. At this site, along with sites of infection reported in Italy (39°N to 41°N) (Otranto et al 2003a) and Spain (40°N) (Miro et al 2011), T. callipaeda is reaching its southernmost range in Europe.…”

Thelazia Callipaeda and Eye Infections

“…Several studies have shown that the disease is endemic throughout Italy (13,14). Imported thelasiosis infections of carnivores in Germany, Holland, Switzerland (11), have highlighted the spread of the disease in Europe (15). Indigenous cases of the T. callipaeda infections in the dogs have been reported in Spain, in the western part of the country (La Vera, Caceres); the prevalence in some municipalities reached 39.9% of the tested dogs (16).…”