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BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Year : 2014  |  Volume : 62  |  Issue : 7  |  Page : 822-824

Human ocular Thelaziasis in Karnataka


1 Department of Ophthalmology, J.S.S., Medical College and Hospital, JSS University, Mysore, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Microbiology, J.S.S., Medical College and Hospital, JSS University, Mysore, Karnataka, India

Date of Submission13-Mar-2011
Date of Acceptance14-Apr-2014
Date of Web Publication13-Aug-2014

Correspondence Address:
Prabhakar S Krishnachary
57, 8th cross, 4th main, Vinayaka Nagar, Mysore - 570 012, Karnataka
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0301-4738.138183

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  Abstract 

Thelaziasis is an Arthropod-born disease of the eye and adnexa caused by Thelazia callipaeda, a nematode parasite transmitted by drosophilid flies to carnivores and humans. Because of its distribution mainly confined to South Asian countries and Russia, it is commonly known as Oriental Eye worm. It is often under-reported and not been given its due clinical importance. We report first case of human Thelaziasis from Hassan District, Karnataka. Five creamy-white, translucent worms were removed from the conjunctival sac of a 74-year-old male patient. Based on morphological characters, the worms were identified as nematodes belonging to the genus Thelazia and speciation was confirmed by CDC, Atlanta as callipaeda. Rarity of the disease and its ability to cause both extra and intraocular manifestations leading to ocular morbidity is the reason for presenting this case. From the available data, this is the first case report from Karnataka, India.

Keywords: Eye worm, human ocular Thelaziasis, human Thelaziasis, oriental eye worm, Thelazia callipaeda


How to cite this article:
Krishnachary PS, Shankarappa VG, Rajarathnam R, Shanthappa M. Human ocular Thelaziasis in Karnataka. Indian J Ophthalmol 2014;62:822-4

How to cite this URL:
Krishnachary PS, Shankarappa VG, Rajarathnam R, Shanthappa M. Human ocular Thelaziasis in Karnataka. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2014 [cited 2024 Mar 19];62:822-4. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2014/62/7/822/138183

Thelazia callipaeda was first described in 1910 from a Chinese dog. The first case of human Thelaziasis was reported in 1917, [1] wherein four worms were extracted from the eye of Coolie in Peiping, China and thereafter, a case of Human Thelaziasis (HT) in India was first reported from Yeroaud, Salem District in 1948. [2] Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) infects a range of definitive hosts, such as dogs, cats, foxes, rabbits, and humans; this spiruroid nematode is seen in the conjunctival sac, lacrimal gland, and lacrimal duct of these mammals. [3] The number of case reports of HT increased in several areas of Asia, where it occurs predominantly in rural communities with poor living and low socio-economic standards and mainly affects the elderly and children. [3] Ocular features of human Thelaziasis include excess lacrimation, irritation, conjunctivitis, keratitis, corneal ulcers, and ectropian.

Epidemiology and life cycle

Thelazia callipaeda (TC) and Thelazia californiensis are the two common nematode parasites known to cause human Thelaziasis . [Table 1] shows probable global data of ocular Thelaziasis. An infected person or carnivorous/bovine animal harbors the first stage larvae in the lacrimal secretions. Arthropod vectors feeding on such infected lacrimal secretions ingest these larvae, which undergo three molts inside the midgut of the vector in 2-3 weeks time and develop into infective third stage larvae. This stage is infective to humans. Third stage larvae are transmitted accidentally to another susceptible host by the vector when it feeds on such lacrimal secretions. The third stage larvae develops into adult form within 35 days in the eye of the infected person. [4]
Table 1: Global data of HT

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  Case Report Top


A 74-year-old Hindu farmer from Sakaleshpura taluk reported to Department of Ophthalmology with symptoms of foreign body sensation in his right eye for the last two days following a hit with the tail of cattle. The patient reportedly hails from a hilly region and rears the cattle in his farm house. On examination, eye was quiet, no conjunctival congestion, cornea and pupils were normal with visual acuity 20/20. Fundus examination revealed no abnormality. He was prescribed antibiotic eye drops and advised to come after a week. On 28 th July 2008, he returned with the same complaint. On examination, during the upper eyelid eversion, a white thread-like worm was seen near the lateral canthus. Slit lamp bio microscopic examination revealed four to five white, motile, translucent worms creeping in the superior fornix coming through a tunnel in the conjunctival sac. It was observed that two worms were already crawling on the corneal surface; five worms were removed with a plane forceps after instilling 4% Lignocain hydrochloride eye drops. The patient was observed for next three days for more worms, but no worms were found. After two years of follow up, there was no recurrence and the patient was symptomatically free.


  Materials and Methods Top


The worms were transferred to a sterile normal saline container and were sent to microbiology department for further evaluation. The worms were identified as nematode parasites using inverted microscope, which showed sluggish motility, internal systems were clearly visible, and both the ends were straight, hook-like projections were appreciated [Figure 1], [Figure 2] and [Figure 3]. For further confirmation of the species, the worms and the microphotographs were sent to CDC Atlanta and confirmed as male worms of TC.
Figure 1: Anterior end demonstrating the mouth and esophagus

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Figure 2: The body with transverse cuticular striations

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Figure 3: Posterior curved end of the worm

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  Discussion Top


Two species of the genus Thelazia, TC and Thelazia californiensis have been found in the human eye. TC is responsible for most of the cases of Human Ocular Thelaziasis (HOT) in Asia. Although these parasites commonly affect the anterior segment of the eye, it can cause severe damage to the posterior segment. A case of intraocular Thelaziasis with Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment [7] and intraocular inflammation involving vitreous causing visual disturbances and recovering the worm from human vitreous through pars plana vitrectomy [9] had been reported. Interestingly, the worm was discovered during intracapsular cataract surgery. [10] In HOT, the most common predisposing factors are unhealthy living conditions and the surrounding environment. Cattle rearing, contact with stray dogs, mountainous terrain, and rainy season make the humans vulnerable to ocular Thelaziasis. In the present case, cattle rearing was the predisposing factor, which correlates with the second case report of ocular Thelaziasis in 2008. [6] Conjunctival and cornel injuries, traumatic conjunctivitis facilitate the introduction of the larvae into the sub-conjunctival space and vitreous cavity.

The natural cycle of vector activity of ocular Thelaziasis has seasonal distribution, during (July-August) which period our patient had been reported. The main mode of transmission in this case was probably injury with the cattle tail and might be through contaminated towels. The towels being contaminated with cow dung containing deposited eggs/larvae of the worm and the same is used for wiping or rubbing the eyes after the injury is the possible mode of entry of eggs/larvae into the eyes. Although the treatment of canine infection by TC is with topical Organophosphates, 1% Moxidectin, 10% Imidacloprid is effective in mammals, mechanical removal of the parasite is the only curative treatment for HOT. In conclusion, HOT is a disease associated with very poor living conditions, low socio-economic status, and improper personal hygiene commonly seen among rural population.

Prevention of Thelaziasis is by protective measures like using bed nets at night, keeping the eyes, face and nose clean while sleeping to prevent the vectors, maintaining personal hygiene, keeping the surroundings clean, and creating public awareness about the disease.


  Acknowledgment Top


We are thankful to the CDC, Atlanta, US. for identifying the worm and contributed to the preparation of the manuscript.

 
  References Top

1.
Leiper RT. Thelaziasis in man: A summary of recent reports on "Circumocular filariasis" in Chinese literature, with a note on the zoological position of the parasite. Br J Ophthalmol 1917;1:546-9.  Back to cited text no. 1
[PUBMED]    
2.
Friedmann M. Thelazia callipaeda, the oriental eye worm. Antiseptic 1948;45:620-6.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.
Otranto D, Dutto M. Human Thelaziasis, Europe. Emerg Infect Dis 2008;14:647-9.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Hong ST, Park YK, Lee SK, Yoo JH, Kim AS, Chung YH, et al. Two human cases of Thelazia callipaeda infection in Korea. Korean J Parasitol 1995;33:139-44.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Singh TS, Singh KN. Thelaziasis: Report of two cases. Br J Ophthalmol 1993;77:528-9.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Nath R, Narain K, Saikia L, Pujari BS, Thakuria B, Mahanta J. Ocular Thelaziasis in Assam: A report of two cases. Indian J Pathol Microbiol 2008;51:146-8.  Back to cited text no. 6
[PUBMED]  Medknow Journal  
7.
Chen W, Zheng J, Hou P, Li L, Hu Y. A case of intraocular Thelaziasis with Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Clin Exp Optom 2010;93:360-2.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Otranto D, Lia RP, Buono V, Traversa D, Giangaspero A. Biology of Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae) eye worms in naturally infected definitive hosts. Parasitology 2004;129:627-33.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Kim HW, Kim JL, Kho WG, Hwang SY, Yun IH. Intraocular infestation with Thelazia callipaeda. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2010;54:370-2.  Back to cited text no. 9
[PUBMED]    
10.
Mahanta J, Alger J, Bordoloi P. Eye infestation with Thelazia species. Indian J Ophthalmol 1996;44:99-101.  Back to cited text no. 10
[PUBMED]  Medknow Journal  


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]
 
 
    Tables

  [Table 1]


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