Uchida Naoki, Wada Yumare, Shimada Ayaka, Harano Akiko, Ichioka Sho, Otsuki Hitoshi, Tanito Masaki
Department of Ophthalmology, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo, JPN.
Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago, JPN.
Cureus. 2024 Oct 2;16(10):e70717. doi: 10.7759/cureus.70717. eCollection 2024 Oct.
, the oriental eyeworm, is a zoonotic parasite that primarily infects the eyes, causing symptoms such as foreign body sensation, tearing, and itching. It is transmitted by fruit flies like and commonly affects dogs and cats. This case report describes an 18-year-old woman who presented with complaints of "a worm in her left eye." Despite two visits to an ophthalmology clinic, she was initially diagnosed with conjunctivitis. The patient's history of dog ownership raised the possibility of zoonotic transmission; however, the worm was not detected during clinical examinations. Eventually, the patient removed the worm herself, and it was identified as the larval stage of . This case emphasizes the importance of considering in patients with nonspecific conjunctivitis symptoms, especially those with a history of contact with animals. It highlights the challenges in diagnosing this rare infection due to its nonspecific presentation and the small size of the larvae. Clinicians should be aware of this possibility and conduct thorough examinations, including double eversion of the eyelids, to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate treatment.
结膜吸吮线虫是一种人畜共患寄生虫，主要感染眼睛，引起异物感、流泪和瘙痒等症状。它通过如 等果蝇传播，通常感染狗和猫。本病例报告描述了一名18岁女性，她主诉“左眼有一条虫子”。尽管她两次前往眼科诊所就诊，但最初被诊断为结膜炎。患者养狗的病史增加了人畜共患传播的可能性；然而，临床检查期间未检测到虫子。最终，患者自行取出了虫子，经鉴定为结膜吸吮线虫的幼虫阶段。本病例强调了在有非特异性结膜炎症状的患者中考虑结膜吸吮线虫感染的重要性，尤其是那些有动物接触史的患者。它突出了由于这种罕见感染的非特异性表现和幼虫体积小而导致诊断的挑战。临床医生应意识到这种可能性，并进行全面检查，包括眼睑双重翻转，以避免误诊并确保适当治疗。
