Ocular dirofilariasis by Dirofilaria immitis in a child in Iran: A case report and review of the literature

This report describes a rare case of ophthalmic dirofilariasis in a 2-year-old boy with redness, irritation, pain and foreign body sensation in the right eye. Slit lamp examination demonstrated a thread-like whitish nematode in the anterior chamber of the right eye that twisted around itself. The nematode worm (35mm long and 150-200μm width) was removed surgically. The presence of the smooth cuticular surface without longitudinal ridges and the vulva showed that it could be a female Diroflaria immitis. PCR amplification was done to verify the Diroflaria species. PCR amplification and sequence analysis of mitochondrial 12S rDNA confirmed that recovered worm was D. immitis. Ocular dirofilariasis caused by D. immitis is very rare, but it must be considered in humans living in endemic areas.

Ectoparasites of Stray Dogs in Mazandaran, Gilan and Qazvin Provinces, North and Center of Iran

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of ectoparasite infestations in stray dogs in Mazandaran, Gilan and Qazvin Provinces in fall and winter in 2013(December to March).

METHODS

Seventy dogs in 2013, from these Provinces were examined for ectoparasite infestation and diagnosis of them based on parasitological methods and identification keys was done.

RESULTS

The rate of infestation in these areas was 100%, 68.5% and 93.3% respectively. Fleas were the most common ectoparasites on dogs in this study followed by lice, ticks, flies and mites respectively. The isolated arthropods were fleas in 77.5%, lice in 50%, ticks in 8.6%, flies in 6.8% and mites in 5.1% of infested dogs. The ectoparasite of the dogs included 4 flea species: Ctenocephalides canis (29.8%), C. felis (19.9%), Pulex iritans (2.9%) and Xenopsiella cheopis (0.7%), 1 louse species: Trichodectes canis (41.3%), 1 tick species: Rhipicephalus sanguinus (0.7%), 1 fly species: Hippobosca sp. (1.1%) and 1 mite species: Sarcoptes scabiei (3.6%).

CONCLUSION

Fleas and lice were the most common ectoparasites in stray dogs of the studied area. Some ectoparasites transmit important human disease, therefore regular monitoring of them is a major concern to control the arthropods and arthropods-borne diseases.