Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T19:11:07.206Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Human ocular onchocerciasis caused by Onchocerca lupi (Spirurida, Onchocercidae) in Iran

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 February 2013

G. Mowlavi
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
F. Farzbod
Affiliation:
Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
A. Kheirkhah
Affiliation:
Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
I. Mobedi
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
D.D. Bowman
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, New York
S.R. Naddaf*
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
*

Abstract

Cases of canine onchocerciasis caused by Onchocerca lupi are increasingly reported from Europe and the western United States of America. The zoonotic role of this parasite had already been suspected in Europe as the clinical signs and histopathology seen in two ocular cases from Albania and the Crimean region were very similar to those of canine ocular onchocerciasis. In the most recent reports of human onchocerciasis, O. lupi has been morphologically and molecularly identified as the causative agent of ocular infestation in two patients from Turkey, and one patient from Tunisia. Here, we report an additional case of nodular lesions involving two, and possibly more, immature worms in a patient from Iran. The parasite was found to belong to the genus Onchocerca based on morphological features and the species was confirmed as O. lupi from a partial sequence analysis of 12S ribosomal DNA.

Type
Short Communications
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ali-Khan, Z. (1977) Tissue pathology and comparative microanatomy of Onchocerca from a resident of Ontario and other enzootic Onchocerca species from Canada and the U.S.A. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 71, 469482.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Azari-Hamidian, S., Yaghoobi-Ershadi, M.R., Javadian, E., Abai, M.R., Mobedi, I., Linton, Y.M. & Harbach, R.E. (2009) Distribution and ecology of mosquitoes in a focus of dirofilariasis in northwestern Iran, with the first finding of filarial larvae in naturally infected local mosquitoes. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 23, 111121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Azarova, N.S., Miretskii, O. & Sonin, M.D. (1965) First case of human infection by the nematode Onchocerca Diesing, 1841 in the USSR. Meditsinskaia Parazitologiia i Parazitarnye Bolezni 34, 156158(in Russian).Google Scholar
Beaver, P.C., Horner, G.S. & Bilos, J.Z. (1974) Zoonotic onchocercosis in a resident of Illinois and observations on the identification of Onchocerca species. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 23, 595607.Google Scholar
Beaver, P.C., Yoshimura, H., Takayasu, S., Hashimoto, H. & Little, M.D. (1989) Zoonotic Onchocerca in a Japanese child. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 40, 298300.Google Scholar
Burr, W.E. Jr, Brown, M.F. & Eberhard, M.L. (1998) Zoonotic Onchocerca (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in the cornea of a Colorado resident. Ophthalmology 105, 14941497.Google Scholar
Crosskey, R.W. (2002) A taxonomic account of blackfly fauna of Iraq and Iran, including keys for species identification (Diptera: Simuliidae). Journal of Natural History 36, 18411886.Google Scholar
Eberhard, M.L., Ortega, Y., Dial, S., Schiller, C.A., Sears, A.W. & Greiner, E. (2000) Ocular Onchocerca infections in two dogs in western United States. Veterinary Parasitology 90, 333338.Google Scholar
Egyed, Z., Sreter, T., Szell, Z., Beszteri, B., Oravecz, O., Marialigeti, K. & Varga, I. (2001) Morphologic and genetic characterization of Onchocerca lupi infecting dogs. Veterinary Parasitology 102, 309319.Google Scholar
Egyed, Z., Sreter, T., Szell, Z., Nyiro, G., Marialigeti, K. & Varga, I. (2002) Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Onchocerca lupi and its Wolbachia endosymbiont. Veterinary Parasitology 108, 153161.Google Scholar
Fallah Tafti, M.R., Hajilary, A., Siatiri, H., Rokni, M.B., Mobedi, I. & Mowlavi, G. (2010) Ocular dirofilariasis, a case report. Iranian Journal of Parasitology 5, 6468.Google Scholar
Fukuda, M., Otsuka, Y., Uni, S., Bain, O. & Takaoka, H. (2010a) Genetic evidence for the presence of two species of Onchocerca from the wild boar in Japan. Parasite 17, 3337.Google Scholar
Fukuda, M., Otsuka, Y., Uni, S., Bain, O. & Takaoka, H. (2010b) Molecular identification of infective larvae of three species of Onchocerca found in wild-caught females of Simulium bidentatum in Japan. Parasite 17, 3945.Google Scholar
Fukuda, M., Otsuka, Y., Uni, S., Boda, T., Daisaku, H., Hasegawa, H., Takaoka, H. & Bain, O. (2011) Zoonotic onchocerciasis in Hiroshima, Japan, and molecular analysis of a paraffin section of the agent for a reliable identification. Parasite 18, 185188.Google Scholar
Gardiner, C.H., Dick, E.J. Jr, Meininger, A.C., Lozano-Alarcon, F. & Jackson, P. (1993) Onchocerciasis in two dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 203, 828830.Google Scholar
Hashimoto, H., Murakami, I., Fujiwara, S., Takayasu, S., Takaoka, H., Uga, S., Akao, N., Kondo, K. & Yoshimura, H. (1990) A human case of zoonotic onchocerciasis in Japan. Journal of Dermatology 17, 5255.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hira, P.R., Al-Buloushi, A., Khalid, N., Iqbal, J., Bain, O. & Eberhard, M.L. (2008) Zoonotic filariasis in the Arabian Peninsula: autochthonous onchocerciasis and dirofilariasis. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 79, 739741.Google Scholar
Jamshidi, A., Jamshidi, M., Mobedi, I. & Khosroara, M. (2008) Periocular dirofilariasis in a young woman: a case report. Korean Journal of Parasitology 46, 265267.Google Scholar
Koehsler, M., Soleiman, A., Aspock, H., Auer, H. & Walochnik, J. (2007) Onchocerca jakutensis filariasis in humans. Emerging Infectious Diseases 13, 17491752.Google Scholar
Labelle, A.L., Daniels, J.B., Dix, M. & Labelle, P. (2011) Onchocerca lupi causing ocular disease in two cats. Veterinary Ophthalmology 14 (Suppl. 1), 105110.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mirzayans, A. & Maghsoodloo, H. (1977) Filarial infection of Equidae in the Tehran area of Iran. Tropical Animal Health and Production 9, 1920.Google Scholar
Morales-Hojas, R., Cheke, R.A. & Post, R.J. (2006) Molecular systematics of five Onchocerca species (Nematoda: Filarioidea) including the human parasite, O. volvulus, suggest sympatric speciation. Journal of Helminthology 80, 281290.Google ScholarPubMed
Orihel, T.C., Ash, L.R., Holshuh, H.J. & Santenelli, S. (1991) Onchocerciasis in a California dog. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 44, 513517.Google Scholar
Otranto, D. & Eberhard, M.L. (2011) Zoonotic helminths affecting the human eye. Parasites & Vectors 4, 41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Otranto, D., Sakru, N., Testini, G., Gurlu, V.P., Yakar, K., Lia, R.P., Dantas-Torres, F. & Bain, O. (2011) Case report: First evidence of human zoonotic infection by Onchocerca lupi (Spirurida, Onchocercidae). American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 84, 5558.Google Scholar
Otranto, D., Dantas-Torres, F., Cebeci, Z., Yeniad, B., Buyukbabani, N., Boral, O.B., Gustinelli, A., Mounir, T., Mutafchiev, Y. & Bain, O. (2012a) Human ocular filariasis: further evidence on the zoonotic role of Onchocerca lupi. Parasites & Vectors 5, 84.Google Scholar
Otranto, D., Dantas-Torres, F., Papadopoulos, E., Petric, D., Cupina, A.I. & Bain, O. (2012b) Tracking the vector of Onchocerca lupi in a rural area of Greece. Emerging Infectious Diseases 18, 11961200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pampiglione, S., Vakalis, N., Lyssimachou, A., Kouppari, G. & Orihel, T.C. (2001) Subconjunctival zoonotic Onchocerca in an Albanian man. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 95, 827832.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ranjbar-Bahadori, S., Veshgini, A., Shirani, D., Eslami, A., Mohieddin, H., Shemshadi, B. & Masooleh, R. (2011) Epidemiological aspects of canine dirofilariasis in the north of Iran. Iranian Journal of Parasitology 6, 7380.Google Scholar
Richards, F.O. Jr, Boatin, B., Sauerbrey, M. & Seketeli, A. (2001a) Control of onchocerciasis today: status and challenges. Trends in Parasitology 17, 558563.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Richards, F.O. Jr, Miri, E.S., Katabarwa, M., Eyamba, A., Sauerbrey, M., Zea-Flores, G., Korve, K., Mathai, W., Homeida, M.A., Mueller, I., Hilyer, E. & Hopkins, D.R. (2001b) The Carter Center's assistance to river blindness control programs: establishing treatment objectives and goals for monitoring ivermectin delivery systems on two continents. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 65, 108114.Google Scholar
Sallo, F., Eberhard, M.L., Fok, E., Baska, F. & Hatvani, I. (2005) Zoonotic intravitreal Onchocerca in Hungary. Ophthalmology 112, 502504.Google Scholar
Siegenthaler, R. & Gubler, R. (1965) Para-articular nematode granuloma (Indigenous Onchocerca). Schweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift 95, 11021104(in German).Google Scholar
Sreter, T. & Szell, Z. (2008) Onchocercosis: a newly recognized disease in dogs. Veterinary Parasitology 151, 113.Google Scholar
Sreter, T., Szell, Z., Egyed, Z. & Varga, I. (2002) Subconjunctival zoonotic onchocerciasis in man: aberrant infection with Onchocerca lupi? Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 96, 497502.Google Scholar
Sreter-Lancz, Z., Szell, Z. & Sreter, T. (2007) Molecular genetic comparison of Onchocerca sp. infecting dogs in Europe with other spirurid nematodes including Onchocerca lienalis. Veterinary Parasitology 148, 365370.Google Scholar
Szell, Z., Sreter, T., Erdelyi, I. & Varga, I. (2001) Ocular onchocercosis in dogs: aberrant infection in an accidental host or lupi onchocercosis? Veterinary Parasitology 101, 115125.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Takaoka, H., Bain, O., Tajimi, S., Kashima, K., Nakayama, I., Korenaga, M., Aoki, C. & Otsuka, Y. (1996) Second case of zoonotic Onchocerca infection in a resident of Oita in Japan. Parasite 3, 179182.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Takaoka, H., Bain, O., Uni, S., Korenaga, M., Tada, K., Ichikawa, H., Otsuka, Y. & Eshita, Y. (2001) Human infection with Onchocerca dewittei japonica, a parasite from wild boar in Oita, Japan. Parasite 8, 261263.Google Scholar
Takaoka, H., Bain, O., Uni, S., Korenaga, M., Kozek, W.J., Shirasaka, C., Aoki, C., Otsuka, Y., Fukuda, M., Eshita, Y. & Daa, T. (2004) Zoonotic onchocerciasis caused by a parasite from wild boar in Oita, Japan. A comprehensive analysis of morphological characteristics of the worms for its diagnosis. Parasite 11, 285292.Google Scholar
Takaoka, H., Yanagi, T., Daa, T., Anzai, S., Aoki, C., Fukuda, M., Uni, S. & Bain, O. (2005) An Onchocerca species of wild boar found in the subcutaneous nodule of a resident of Oita, Japan. Parasitology International 54, 9193.Google Scholar
Takaoka, H., Fukuda, M., Otsuka, Y., Aoki, C., Uni, S. & Bain, O. (2012) Blackfly vectors of zoonotic onchocerciasis in Japan. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 26, 372378.Google Scholar
Tamura, K., Peterson, D., Peterson, N., Stecher, G., Nei, M. & Kumar, S. (2011) MEGA5: molecular evolutionary genetics analysis using maximum likelihood, evolutionary distance, and maximum parsimony methods. Molecular Biology and Evolution 28, 27312739.Google Scholar
Wright, R.W., Neafie, R.C., McLean, M. & Markman, A.W. (2002) Zoonotic onchocerciasis of the shoulder. A case report. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 84-A, 627629.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yankovsky, A.V. (2010) On the fauna of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Iran. Entomological Review 90, 10791087.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zarfoss, M.K., Dubielzig, R.R., Eberhard, M.L. & Schmidt, K.S. (2005) Canine ocular onchocerciasis in the United States: two new cases and a review of the literature. Veterinary Ophthalmology 8, 5157.Google Scholar