Epidemiological, morphological, and molecular characterization of thelazia spp. in European bison (bison bonasus) in Poland.

ABSTRACT: Nematodes of the genus Thelazia (also referred to as eyeworms) pose a growing concern for wild and domestic ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, species composition, and associated ocular pathology of Thelazia infection in several European bison populations in Poland. The eyes of 223 European bison were examined over five years (2020-2024). Nematodes of the genus Thelazia were identified based on morphometrical and molecular analysis of the cox1 sequences. Epidemiological analysis of Thelazia infection in relation to age, sex, genetic line of European bison, as well as severity of ocular changes, habitat, and season, was performed. Morphometrical and molecular analysis revealed the presence of two species - Thelazia gulosa and T. skrjabini. Nematodes were detected in

SUBMITTER: Filip-Hutsch K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12635089 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature