Ocular thelaziasis in a 7-month-old infant

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Ophthalmology
• Parasitology
• Zoonotic Diseases

Background:

• Human thelaziasis is a rare zoonotic eye disease caused by nematode parasites of the genus Thelazia.
• While seven human cases have been previously reported in India, this study documents the first instance of infant infection.

Observation:

• An infant presented with an eye problem in Dibrugarh, India, in July 2012.
• Examination revealed the presence of five Thelazia worms (three female, two male) in the infant's left eye.

Findings:

• Successful recovery of five Thelazia worms from the affected eye of an infant.
• This case represents the first documented human thelaziasis infection in an infant globally.

Implications:

• The occurrence of Thelazia infection in an infant suggests a potential underestimation of its prevalence in the region.
• Further epidemiological investigations are warranted to understand the transmission dynamics and public health impact of Thelazia in this area.
• This case underscores the importance of considering zoonotic parasitic infections in pediatric ophthalmology, even in rare presentations.