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

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 84; no. 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: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2022; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• 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; Brazil; pathology; eye fluke; philophthalmosis; trematodes; conjunctival hyperemia
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0193

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.