Thelazia callipaeda

Thelazia callipaeda is a nematode living on the surface of the eyes of domestic and wild carnivores and lagomorphs, being transmitted by zoophilic drosophilids belonging to the genus Phortica. It also infects humans, mainly children and the elderly in poor economic settings. For a long time it has been referred to as the oriental eyeworm for its distribution in many areas of southeast Asia (i.e., from China to Indonesia) and India. Since the early 1990s it has also been reported in Europe, arising in some spots in Italy. In the last 30 years this parasite has been detected throughout Europe in almost all countries as well as in the Balkans. T. callipaeda may cause from mild clinical signs (e.g., lachrymation, conjunctivitis, and keratitis) to corneal ulcers and even blindness, depending on the parasite burden and individual susceptibility. Control strategies are focussed on topical or systemic anthelmintic treatments, whereas the use of repellents seems to be ineffective against the vectors.

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