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Ocular onchocercosis in dogs: a review
1Department of Wildlife Diseases and Parasitology, Central Veterinary Institute, Budapest, Hungary.
The Veterinary Record
|August 31, 2002
Summary
Ocular onchocercosis in dogs presents with severe inflammation and granulomatous nodules. This canine infection may serve as a valuable experimental model for human onchocerciasis, a leading cause of blindness.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Ophthalmology
- Parasitology
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Sporadic cases of ocular Onchocerca species infection in dogs have been documented in the USA and Europe.
- The infection manifests acutely with severe ocular and periocular inflammation.
- Chronic cases involve granulomatous nodules containing nematodes within ocular tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical and pathological findings of ocular onchocercosis in dogs.
- To highlight the potential of canine ocular onchocercosis as an experimental model for human disease.
Main Methods:
- Case observation and pathological examination of affected canine eyes.
- Review of reported cases of ocular onchocercosis in dogs.
Main Results:
- Acute stage: severe inflammation of ocular and periocular tissues.
- Chronic stage: granulomatous nodules (pea- to bean-sized) containing nematodes in various ocular locations (retrobulbar space, eyelid, conjunctiva, sclera).
- Microfilariae in skin can cause dermatological issues; potential for wider distribution than currently recognized.
Conclusions:
- Canine ocular onchocercosis exhibits significant ophthalmological and dermatological effects.
- The disease in dogs may be underdiagnosed due to misinterpretation of lesions.
- Ocular onchocercosis in dogs offers a promising experimental model for studying human onchocerciasis.