Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

LETTER TO EDITOR
Year
: 2007  |  Volume : 55  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 242--243

Subconjunctival larva migrans caused by sparganum


B Mukherjee1, J Biswas1, M Raman2,  
1 Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India
2 Department of Parasitology, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, India

Correspondence Address:
B Mukherjee
Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai
India




How to cite this article:
Mukherjee B, Biswas J, Raman M. Subconjunctival larva migrans caused by sparganum.Indian J Ophthalmol 2007;55:242-243


How to cite this URL:
Mukherjee B, Biswas J, Raman M. Subconjunctival larva migrans caused by sparganum. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2007 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];55:242-243
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2007/55/3/242/31959


Full Text

Dear Editor,

Spargana are plerocecroid larvae of a tapeworm of the genus Spirometra. It is a rare parasitic ocular infestation. There are a few reports of ocular sparganosis involving the eyelids, conjunctiva and intraocular cavity.[1],[2],[3]

We report a case of ocular sparganosis presenting as a migrating subconjunctival mass.

A 30-year-old Asian Indian male presented with redness and swelling of his left eye since three days. He gave history of protrusion of the left eye associated with pain, redness and blurring of vision two months back. Computed tomography showed a diffuse mass lesion displacing the lateral rectus medially. He was treated elsewhere with oral steroids. He had relief of symptoms initially but the redness recurred. A repeat scan showed complete resolution of the lesion.

On examination his visual acuity was 20/20; N6 in both eyes. Ocular movements were full. Examination of the right eye was normal. In the left eye, there was localized conjunctival congestion inferonasally and a small elevated lesion in the inferonasal conjunctiva with slight yellowish discoloration [Figure 1]. The rest of the anterior segment was normal. Fundoscopy was normal in both eyes. There was no proptosis or lymphadenopathy.

On repeat examination, two days after the initial presentation, the mass was found to move slightly upwards from the previous position. Hemogram was normal. There was no eosinophilia. Systemic examination was also normal. Transconjunctival biopsy under local anesthesia was undertaken. Intraoperatively the conjunctiva and tenons were opened over the mass and a live, coiled worm was found. The worm was sent for identification and the conjunctiva was closed with 6-0 Vicryl interrupted sutures. The gross and microscopic examinations [Figure 2]A and B revealed an ivory-white ribbon-like worm measuring 27 mm x 2.5 mm. Histopathological examination showed that the anterior end was broad and contained a groove called bothrium. Scolex or true organs were not seen. The gross and microscopic examination revealed the larva to be sparganum. On last follow-up after a week, the patient was symptomless and conjunctival wound was healthy.

Humans can be the second intermediate or paratenic hosts. When sparganosis is contracted by drinking water infected with primary hosts (copepods of genus Cyclops), man acts as the second intermediate host. In the far East, infections are generally acquired by eating raw or partially cooked meat of infected snakes, frogs or mammals; or by applying raw infected flesh as a poultice to wounds. Here, man acts as paratenic host.[4] In this case, the larva may have migrated from the lateral orbit to the inferonasal subconjunctival area in the course of two months. The definitive diagnosis and treatment of sparganosis are by surgical removal and identification of the parasite. No medication has been proven effective against sparganum.[5]

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of subconjunctival sparganum to be reported from the Indian subcontinent.

References

1Kittiponghansa S, Tesana S, Ritch R. Ocular sparganosis: A cause of subconjunctival tumor and deafness. Trop Med Parasitol 1988;39:247-8
2Yoon KC, Seo MS, Park Sw, Park YG. Eyelid sparganosis. Am J Ophthalmol 2004;138:873-5.
3Sen DK, Muller R, Gupta VP, Chilana JS. Cerstode larva (sparganum) in the anterior chamber of the eye. Trop Geogr Med 1989;41:270-3.
4Colour atlas /text of Ophthalmic Parasitology by Kean BH, Sun T, Ellsworth RM, IGAKU-SHOIN Medical Publishers Inc.: New York; 1991. p. 195-200.
5Torres JR, Noya OO, Noya BA, Mouliniere R, Martinez E. Treatment of proliferative sparganosis with mebendazole and praziquantel. Trans R Soc trop Med Hyg 1981;75:846-7.