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Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol. 25, No. 1, January-March, 2007, pp. 72 Correspondence Human thelaziasis in India Khan AM Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh - 786001, Assam Date of Submission: 20-Apr-2006 Code Number: mb07020 Dear Editor, Thelazic de Rhodes name given to Thelazia, by Bosc Taurus[1] commonly known as eye worm or Oriental worm was first described by Johannes Rhodes in 1676.[2] In India, published literature reveals five cases of human thelaziasis[3],[4],[5],[6] Human case reported by Sharma et al.[7] is the fifth report from India instead of the second as stated in the abstract column of the report. However, literature available on the prevalence of thelaziasis endorses the assumption of the authors that high occurrence of disease has been reported from tropical areas having hilly and foot hill terrains. Northeastern region of India, which comprises of eight sister states has mountainous and foothill terrains. Heavy and long monsoon with favorable temperature range throughout the year provide ideal home for a variety of insects that play major role as vector of communicable diseases of medical and veterinary importance. The topography of the areas of Assam and its adjoining states are akin to Himachal Pradesh. Therefore, high prevalence of infections like thelaziasis may not be ruled out from both the areas. In fact, as speculated by the authors, a systematic survey of farm animals and pets from these areas for Thelazia parasite and vector (face fly?) will shed some light on the problem of thelaziasis in India. References
Copyright 2007 - Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology |
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