Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: Editor,—Human ocular invasion by non-human filarial parasites has been reported for more than 200 years.1 2However, only just over a handful have actually been removed, described and identified in detail.3-6 Furthermore, the Dipetalonema species that have been described in three cases were thought to be from the body cavity of the natural hosts—the porcupine and the beaver.4 5 7 8
This report describes a case of Dipetalonema reconditum (usually associated with canine filariasis) in the human eye. It is noteworthy that this worm has morphological similarities to the canine heartworm Dirofilaria imitis , which in the past has been described in the human eye5 9 but not satisfactorily identified.10
### CASE REPORT
A 62 year old white resident of suburban Victoria, Australia, presented with a red and irritated right eye of 2 weeks' duration. This was exacerbated after a rural walking trip and did not improve with topical lubrication. He also noted mild diplopia on extreme right gaze. On examination, the visual acuity was 6/6 in the right eye and 6/4 in the left. There was mild limitation of right eye abduction. Localised bulbar conjunctival …
Source: British Journal of Ophthalmology
Author: T HUYNH
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2085293392