Parasites, Hosts and Diseases

The Korea Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (대한기생충학·열대의학회)
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Eight cases of canine thelaziosis found in two localities in Korea

  • Seongjun Choe (Department of Parasitology and Parasite Research Center, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Sunmin Kim (Department of Parasitology and Parasite Research Center, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Tilak Chandra Nath (Department of Parasitology and Parasite Research Center, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University) ;
  • Jeong-Ho Kim (Cheongju Zoo)
  • Received : 2023.03.16
  • Accepted : 2023.06.27
  • Published : 2023.08.31
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Abstract

Thelazia callipaeda, a parasitic nematode that causes thelaziosis in various mammals, including humans, is known to be endemic in Korea. However, life cycle-related information on the parasite, primarily from human infection and a few dog cases, is limited. This study reports additional cases of T. callipaeda infections in dogs from both rural and urban areas in Korea, indicating the potential for transmission to humans and other animals. We collected 61 worms from 8 infected dogs from Paju and Cheongju Cities and observed their morphological characteristics under a light microscope. The findings indicate that T. callipaeda infections in animals in Korea may be underestimated and are distributed close to human environments. Our results contribute to the growing knowledge of the reservoir hosts of T. callipaeda in Korea and highlight the importance of continued surveillance and research to prevent and control this emerging zoonotic disease.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Chungbuk National University Korea National University Development Project (2021). The authors thank all the participants who contributed to the volunteering program for the rural dog health care project, as well as a veterinarian from a veterinary clinic in Paju City, Korea, who preferred not to be named.

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