Korean J healthc assoc Infect Control Prev.  2022 Jun;27(1):77-79. 10.14192/kjicp.2022.27.1.77.

A Case of Thelazia Callipaeda Ocular Infection Identified in Patients with Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

• Hong SH
• Kim TH
• Shi HJ
• Eom JS
• Park Y

• KMID: 2530830
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14192/kjicp.2022.27.1.77

Abstract

Therazia callipaeda is known to cause infections in animals and human eyes, such as dogs and cats, using fruit flies as vectors. Two white translucent thread-shaped parasites were found in the right eye of an 84-year-old man hospitalised in the intensive care unit because of a traumatic cerebral haemorrhage. Parasites were removed, the conjunctiva was washed with physiological saline, and the removed parasites were diagnosed as T. callipaeda. An ophthalmic examination was performed 1 month after parasite removal, and no additional parasites or abnormal findings in the eyes were confirmed. Considering the life cycle of Thelazia, prevention of ocular thelaziasis is to avoid environments that may be exposed to fruit flies and to keep the eyes clean from tears and sweat. Environmental management and inpatient hygiene should be given attention because infected parasites can survive in the host for a long time. In addition, careful observation of the internal and external conditions of the eye and appropriate examination are needed during the treatment of patients who are not conscious or have difficulty accurately presenting symptoms.

Keyword

Conjunctiva; Oriental eye worm; Parasites; Thelazia callipaeda

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Gross finding of parasite in the eye (circle).

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  Fig. 2 Photographs of parasites removed from patients.

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