Korean J Ophthalmol.  2007 Mar;21(1):48-50. 10.3341/kjo.2007.21.1.48.

A Case of Oular Sparganosis in Korea

• Yang JW
• Lee JH
• Kang MS

• KMID: 1105031
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2007.21.1.48

Abstract

PURPOSE: To present a case of ocular sparoganosis presenting as itching sensation. METHODS: A 60-year-old woman presented for removal of an itchy subconjunctival mass in her left eye. Her ocular findings were normal, except for a subconjunctival mass (1.5 x 1.5 mm). RESULTS: A parasite excised from the subconjunctival mass was identified as a sparganum, by microscopic examination after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The mummified parasite was identified as the plerocercoid phase of the sparganum, by microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, parasitic disease should be suspected in a palpable subconjunctival mass unresponsive to the medical treatment.

Keyword

Subconjunctival mass; Sparoganosis

MeSH Terms

Sparganosis/*complications/pathology/surgery
Pruritus/*etiology
Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures
Middle Aged
Korea
Humans
Female
Eye/*parasitology

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Yellowish subconjunctival mass was detected in nasal conjunctiva of the left eye. (B) The mass was excised under a slit lamp.

• 

  Fig. 2 Sparganum extracted from the lesion of left eye.

• 

  Fig. 3 Skeletal muscle showed focal fibrosis and chronic inflammatory infiltrate with a track-like space (arrow) at its center (HE, ×40).

Reference

1. Kim SH, Park K, Lee ES. Three cases of cutaneous sparganosis. Int J Dermatol. 2001. 40:656–658.

2. Griffin MP, Tompkins KJ, Ryan MT. Cutaneous sparganosis. Am J Dermatopathol. 1996. 18:70–72.

3. Suh Y, Choi YC, Choi YK. A Case of Ocular Sparganosis in Korea. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc. 2002. 43:913–916.

4. Andersen K.L.. Description of musculature differences in spargana of Spirometra (Cestoda; Pseudophyllidea) and tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides (Cestoda; Cyclophyllidea) and their value in identification. J Helminthol. 1983. 57:331–334.

5. Cho SY, Kang SY, Kong Y. Purification of antigenic protein of sparganum by immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody. Korean J Parasitol. 1990. 280:135–142.

6. Park HY, Lee SU, Kim SH, et al. Epidemiological significance of sero-positive inhabitants against sparganum in Kangwon-do, Korea. Yonsei Med J. 2001. 42:371–374.

7. Norman S.H., Kreutner A. Jr. Sparganosis: clinical and pathologic in ten Case. South Med J. 1980. 73:297–300.

8. Sen DK, Muller R, Gupta VP, Chilana JS. Cestode Larva (Sparganum) in the anterior chamber of the eye. Trop Geogr Med. 1989. 41:270–273.