| dc.description.abstract | Thelazia callipaeda (Spirurida, Thelaziidae), known as oriental eyeworm, is a parasite
infesting the eyes of many domestic and wild carnivores which can also cause human
infections. Due to the fact that infections by T. callipaeda have been recently spreading
through the Balkan Peninsula, the main aims of this mini review are to give a clear and
concise overview of the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of thelasiosis
in animals and humans as well as to update epidemiological data about thelaziosis in
this area. Clinical manifestations of thelaziosis can vary from subclinical to severe. In
both animals and humans, treatment of thelaziosis can be effectively achieved with the
removal of the nematodes from the eye under local anesthesia using a cotton swab or fine
forceps. In the treatment of animals, antiparasitic drugs should be used supplementarily
to the mechanical removal of parasites, while in humans, the topical use of antibiotics
is desirable in order to prevent secondary bacterial infection. The growing number of
diagnosed thelasiosis cases in dogs in the Balkan Peninsula, and particularly among
owned pets in urban areas of Serbia previously considered free of infection, indicates
the spread of zoonotic T. callipaeda in the area and in close proximity to humans. Finally,
cooperation between veterinarians and physicians is strongly advocated in favour of the
development of effective preventive measures and strategies. | en_US |
