An Unexpected Cause of Eye Irritation: A Case of Zoonotic Ocular Onchocerciasis. (3rd December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Biswas, Abhishek; Yassin, Mohamed H.
• Other Names: van der Meijden W. I. Academic Editor.; Walder G. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in infectious diseases. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-12-03
• Subjects: Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases; Infectious Disease Medicine; Communicable diseases; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Case studies; Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/504749
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6625

Abstract

Abstract : A 19-year-old male residing in Pittsburgh presented with irritation and watering from his right eye and was diagnosed to have a right subconjunctival nodule. Surgical excision revealed both dead and living worms and histopathological staining of the worms confirmed these to be zoonotic species of Onchocerca. The morphologic characteristics of the worm suggest it to be either O. lupi or O. lienalis which were first detected in wolves and cattle, respectively. Mystery remains as to the mode of transmission and the hosts for this parasite in this part of the United States. This case adds to the growing number of cases of zoonotic ocular onchocerciasis reported from all over the world.