Introduction : The pathologic relevance of Demodex infestation in blepharitis is still controversial. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Demodex spp. in eyelash follicles and its relationship to eye symptoms. Material and methods : A total of 290 individuals were...

Background: Zoonotic onchocerciasis is a vector-borne disease, which involves many animal species, including large ungulates, boars, dogs, and sporadically, humans. So far, 39 cases of zoonotic onchocerciasis have been reported worldwide, 30 of which have been found in the last 20 years. Onchocerca nematodes are transmitted to humans by blood-sucking vectors during a blood meal. The following species have been responsible for zoonotic infections: Onchocerca cervicalis, O. dewittei japonica, O. gutturosa, O. jakutensis and O. lupi. In humans, the worms have usually been found in the subcutaneous tissues where they form subcutaneous nodules, induce inflammation of musculature, or penetrate the eye. Thirteen ocular zoonotic onchocerciasis cases have been reported so far. In the eye, nematodes were localized in the subconjunctival space, anterior chamber and within the vitreous body. Methods: In a 39-year-old male patient, a writhing worm in the vitreous body of the left eye was detected and surgically removed. Laboratory identification of the worm was based on macroscopic and molecular identification, based on sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1). Phylogenetic analysis of the first 250 nucleotide sequences showing the highest levels of similarity with the present isolate in a BLAST analysis was performed. Results: Here, we report the first case worldwide of human ocular infection with O. jakutensis, a natural parasite of red deer. By exploiting a PCR assay, we detected the sequence almost identical to O. jakutensis (GenBank: KT001213.1; positions 1–650) with a single mismatch G/A at position 622. The sequence reported in this paper was deposited in the GenBank database under the accession number MK491767. Conclusions: Our case together with the previous case reports indicate that zoonotic Onchocerca worms exhibit no tissue specificity and an eye infection has been described in over one third of human zoonotic onchocerciasis cases. In terms of the growing number of cases of zoonotic onchocerciasis in Europe, the USA and Japan, attention should be paid to the diagnosis of subcutaneous nodules and eye infestations.

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a dermatosis caused by accidental infestation with animal hookworms and is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Humans become infected when their skin comes into contact with soil contaminated with dog faeces. The filariform larvae penetrate and burrow into human skin, causing a condition known as “creeping eruption”. We describe a case, well-documented by photos, of CLM infection in a family of three who returned from Thailand.

Background: Blastocystis is a common protozoan often found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. The presence of Blastocystis in the female genital tract—has been reported three times, but the genetic material of the protozoan from this site has been identified only once. Methods: Patients with cervical erosions were enrolled in the study. Samples were collected using dry swabs. Blastocystis DNA was detected using real-time PCR and sequenced. Results: Thirty patients with cervical erosions were examined. The presence of Blastocystis genetic material was confirmed in nine female patients. Blastocystis subtypes ST1, ST6, and ST7 were recovered from the ectocervix and distal part of the cervical canal of women with large, symptomatic glandular ectopies resistant to standard treatment. In one case, we identified a Blastocystis subtype ST7 in the material from the cervix, which was different from subtype ST3 found in the anus of the same woman. Conclusions: This observation indicates a possible role for Blastocystis in cervical erosions and suggests that eradication of these organisms may relieve this condition.

Objective: The presence of Blastocystis spp. in a parenteral location—in the female genital tract—has been reported three times. The genetic material of the protozoan has been identified only once. Methods: Blastocystis DNA was detected using real-time PCR. Results: Thirty patients with so-called cervical erosions were examined. The presence of Blastocystis genetic material was confirmed in nine women. The authors are the first to confirm and identify the DNA of Blastocystis subtype ST1, ST6, and ST7 in samples taken from the ectocervix and the distal part of the cervical canal of women with large, symptomatic glandular ectopies which were resistant to standard treatment. In one case, in material from the cervix we identified a Blastocystis subtype which was different to that found in the anus of the same woman. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the presence of Blastocystis in the cervix is not, in any obvious way, associated with hygienic issues or neglect, but could be the result of women having vaginal intercourse with heterosexual men in whose semen this protozoan occurs. The possibility of Blastocystis occurrence in semen has been confirmed by recent publications as well as our own unpublished results. This discovery gives hope for the eradication of these organisms and thus to curing patients with chronic gynaecological problems.