Human Ocular Thelaziasis: A Case Report

Abstract

Thelaziasis is a zoonotic disease which affects the eye of domestic and wild carnivores caused by the nematode Thelazia. It is transmitted to humans by secretophagous arthropod-borne zoophilic nonbiting flies of the family Drosophilidae. Human thelaziasis is rare and occurs in poor socio-economic families of the rural locations where people live in close proximity with animals. A one and halfyear-old was presented to the outpatient ophthalmology clinic after her mother noticed a whitish, thread-like worm in her right eye. A total of four worms were mechanically removed from her right eye. All the collected worms were gravid female nematodes of Thelazia species. The present case of human ocular thelaziasis from Palpa, Nepal is presented for its rarity.

Keywords: Nepal; ocular infection; Thelazia; zoonoses..

Figure 1. Thelazia measuring approximately 17.0-18.5 mm (1A), Anterior end of Thelazia showing buccal cavity (1B), Middle portion of the worm showing distinct alimentary canal and reproductive system (1C), Proximal uterus of a gravid female of Thelazia showing numerous embryonated eggs (1D), Distal uterus of a gravid female of Thelazia showing coiled first-stage larvae (1E).