Wild carnivores and Thelazia callipaeda zoonotic eyeworms: A focus on wolves.

ABSTRACT: Thelazia callipaeda is a zoonotic parasite causing ocular disease in domestic dogs, cats, several wild carnivores, hares, and humans. This nematode is widely distributed in Europe, where it is transmitted by the drosophilid fly Phortica variegata. Since the first report of infection in grey wolves (Canis lupus) from southern Italy, other cases of thelaziosis have been recorded in this animal species throughout Europe, raising questions about their role in spreading T. callipaeda. Indeed, for their wandering behavior through long distances and living in woody areas where the vectors thrive, wolves may act as reservoirs and spreaders of thelaziosis. In this study we reviewed the literature about wolves acting as reservoirs of T. callipaeda in Europe. In add

SUBMITTER: Bezerra-Santos MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8924507 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature