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Somsap Y, Boonroumkaew P, Somsap A, Rodpai R, Sadaow L, Sanpool O, Maleewong W, Intapan PM. Ocular Dirofilariasis Case in Thailand Confirmed by Molecular Analysis to Be Caused by Dirofilaria immitis. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:204-207. [PMID: 34634776 PMCID: PMC8733484 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A rare ocular dirofilariasis case along with the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome is reported. A whitish roundworm (10.6 cm long and 0.5 mm width) emerged from the pterygium, a triangular tissue growth on the cornea of the eye, of a male patient. The worm had a rounded anterior part, mouth without lips, smooth cuticular surface, and short rounded posterior tail with spicules: these features suggested that it was a male Dirofilaria sp. Molecular identification confirmed that the worm belonged to Dirofilaria immitis. This is the first molecular confirmation that D. immitis is a causative agent of ocular dirofilariasis in Thailand: dirofilariasis is a newly emerging zoonotic disease. Physicians should be alert to zoonotic filarial worms and knowledgeable about treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwadee Somsap
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chumphae Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Patcharaporn Boonroumkaew
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand;,Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Attawit Somsap
- Department of Otolaryngology, Chumphae Hospital, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Rutchanee Rodpai
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand;,Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Lakkhana Sadaow
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand;,Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Oranuch Sanpool
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand;,Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Wanchai Maleewong
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand;,Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
| | - Pewpan M. Intapan
- Department of Parasitology and Excellence in Medical Innovation, and Technology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand;,Mekong Health Science Research Institute, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand;,Address correspondence to Pewpan M. Intapan, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand. E-mail:
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