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Updated: May 4, 2026

Induction of Ocular Surface Inflammation and Collection of Involved Tissues
Published on: August 4, 2022
An unexpected cause of eye irritation: a case of zoonotic ocular onchocerciasis
Abhishek Biswas1, Mohamed H Yassin2
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center East, 2775 Mosside Boulevard, Monroeville, PA 15146, USA.
Abstract:
A 19-year-old male residing in Pittsburgh presented with irritation and watering from his right eye and was diagnosed to have a right subconjunctival nodule. Surgical excision revealed both dead and living worms and histopathological staining of the worms confirmed these to be zoonotic species of Onchocerca. The morphologic characteristics of the worm suggest it to be either O. lupi or O. lienalis which were first detected in wolves and cattle, respectively. Mystery remains as to the mode of transmission and the hosts for this parasite in this part of the United States. This case adds to the growing number of cases of zoonotic ocular onchocerciasis reported from all over the world.
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