Ocular disease caused by the trematode Philophthalmus lachrymosus in free-living kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) of Brazil

In this study, clinical, parasitological and histopathological findings of thirteen kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) found infected with eyeflukes in Brazil are presented. Parasites detected in the ventral conjunctival fornix were identified as Philophthalmus lachrymosus [mean intensity of infection:...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 2022, Vol.84(10), pp.1447-1452
Main Authors: SOMMA, André Tavares, STEUERNAGEL, Adriane, PULIDO-MURILLO, Eduardo Alberto, PINTO, Hudson Alves, REIFUR, Larissa, MOORE, Bret A., MONTIANI-FERREIRA, Fabiano
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bird Diseases - parasitology
Birds
Brazil
Charadriiformes
Conjunctiva
conjunctival hyperemia
Cornea
Dehydration
Eye diseases
Eye Diseases - veterinary
eye fluke
Fornix
Hyperemia
Kelp
Keratitis
Larus dominicanus
pathology
philophthalmosis
Philophthalmus
Trematoda
Trematode Infections - veterinary
trematodes
Ulcers
Wildlife Science
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In this study, clinical, parasitological and histopathological findings of thirteen kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) found infected with eyeflukes in Brazil are presented. Parasites detected in the ventral conjunctival fornix were identified as Philophthalmus lachrymosus [mean intensity of infection: 16 (5–36) worms/bird]. Eleven birds (85%) presented signs of systemic disease, such as emaciation, dehydration and depressed consciousness. Conjunctival hyperemia was observed in 22 eyes (85%). Keratitis, corneal ulcers, corneal abscess and chemosis were also detected in some eyes (4–8%). Histopathologic lesions, likely due to the parasite attachment to the conjunctiva, were found in the eyes of one infected bird that died from unrelated causes. Philophthalmosis by P. lachrymosus is here reported as a clinically relevant eye disease in kelp gulls.
ISSN:0916-7250
1347-7439
DOI:10.1292/jvms.22-0193