Parafilaria bovicola Tubangui 1934 from a human eye in Thailand

Abstract

A 72 year old Thai male; a resident of Kapoe district, Ranong Province, Southern Thailand presented with conjunctivitis of the left eye. A filariid nematode was recovered from under the medial side of ocular conjunctiva of the left eye. The filariid nematode was identified as a young adult female Parafilaria bovicola, based on the following characteristics: no alteration of the transverse striations on the anterior end of the body, the terminal anus and the vulva opening is just posterior to the mouth. This is a first case report in Thailand of P. bovicola causing human disease. P. bovicola has caused damage to the meat industry in many countries and has caused disease in humans. Further study of the life cycle, occurrence among cattle, and transmission of the disease between it's natural host and humans is necessary.