title: New Cases of Thelazia callipaeda Haplotype 1 in Dogs Suggest a Wider Distribution in Romania.
abstract: Thelazia callipaeda is an emerging vector-borne zoonotic helminth parasitizing the conjunctival sac of a broad spectrum of definitive hosts, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, wild carnivores, and humans. Its presence is associated with mild to severe ocular disease. Here, we report two new clinical cases in dogs originating from western and southern Romania, with no travel history. On clinical examination, the nematodes were retrieved from the conjunctival sac and identified using morphological keys and molecular tools. Twenty-two adult nematodes (8 males, 14 females) were collected and were identified as T. callipaeda by morphology. The molecular analysis revealed a 100% identity with haplotype h1 of T. callipaeda. This study describes the occurrence of new autochthonous cases of thelaziosis in Romania, reinforcing the spreading trend of this zoonotic eyeworm and highlighting the need for increased awareness among medical and veterinary practitioners. Moreover, we provide additional molecular evidence for the exclusive distribution of haplotype 1 of T. callipaeda in Europe.
authors: 1 Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases and Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest , Bucharest, Romania .
authors: Mariana
authors: M
authors: Ioniţă
authors: 1 Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases and Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest , Bucharest, Romania .
authors: Ioan Liviu
authors: IL
authors: Mitrea
authors: 2 Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca , Cluj-Napoca, Romania .
authors: Angela Monica
authors: AM
authors: Ionică
authors: 3 Department of Parasitology and Dermatology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Banat's University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine from Timişoara , Timişoara, Romania .
authors: Sorin
authors: S
authors: Morariu
authors: 2 Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca , Cluj-Napoca, Romania .
authors: Andrei Daniel
authors: AD
authors: Mihalca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D017205:Spirurida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013802:Thelazioidea / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015047:Zoonoses
keywords: Dogs; Haplotype 1; Romania; Thelazia callipaeda