EYE WORM (THELAZIA CALIFORNIENSIS) INFECTION IN MAN

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to report the occurrence of infection in a human being with a nematode worm, Thelazia californiensis, and to call attention to the fact that helminthologists believe that such infection may occur in man more frequently than is indicated by the paucity of recorded cases. While the symptoms produced by this worm are mild, the damage done to ocular tissues is negligible and a complete cure can be effected by removal of the parasites, the patient may exhibit great apprehension and mental distress. Apparently the conjunctival sac is the normal habitat of this particular worm, but it should be borne in mind that parasitic worms frequently produce a more serious pathologic picture when they fail to gain the preferred organ or tissues and become erratic in their migratory behavior than when they attain their goal by orthodox paths of migration. Erraticism is more common than