J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2018 Sep;59(9):867-870. 10.3341/jkos.2018.59.9.867.

A Case of Twice Recurring Ocular Thelaziasis from Thelazia callipaeda

• Gu BH
• Oh DE

• KMID: 2420336
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2018.59.9.867

Abstract

PURPOSE
We report a case of recurrent ocular thelaziasis by Thelazia callipaeda.
CASE SUMMARY
A 71-year-old male visited the ophthalmic clinic, complaining of itching, a foreign body sensation, and irritation in the right eye. He was previously diagnosed with Thelazia callipaeda infection, 3 months prior, at another hospital. A parasite, shaped like a thin small thread, was found in the conjunctival sac of his right eye, with active movement. The parasite was identified as Thelazia callipaeda by pathology. Four months after removal of the parasite, symptoms relapsed in the same eye. Two parasites were rediscovered and removed. Since then, no additional specific sign related to the parasite has been noted in follow- up examinations.
CONCLUSIONS
Due to frequent recurrence of infections caused by the short life cycle of the parasite, monthly follow-up examinations are required for at least 1 year after discovery of the parasite.

Keyword

Parasite; Recurrence; Thelazia callipaeda; Thelaziasis

MeSH Terms

Aged
Follow-Up Studies
Foreign Bodies
Humans
Lacrimal Apparatus
Life Cycle Stages
Male
Parasites
Pathology
Pruritus
Recurrence
Sensation
Thelazioidea*

Figure

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  Figure 1. Slit-lamp microscopic view. A Thelazia callipaeda in conjunctival sac.

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  Figure 2. Photographs of the collected Thelazia callipaeda from patient's eye (microscopic appearance). (A) Gross appearance of Thelazia callipaeda. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain (×10). (B) The helminth contains numerous microfilaria within the uterus (arrow), H&E (×200).

Reference

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