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The Korean journal of parasitology2017; 55(6); 667-671; doi: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.6.667

First Blindness Cases of Horses Infected with Setaria Digitata (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in the Republic of Korea.

Abstract: Ocular setariases of cattle were reported but those of equine hosts have never been reported in the Republic of Korea (Korea). We found motile worms in the aqueous humor of 15 horses (Equus spp.) from 12 localities in southern parts of Korea between January 2004 and November 2017. After the affected animals were properly restrained under sedation and local anesthesia, 10 ml disposable syringe with a 16-gauge needle was inserted into the anterior chamber of the affected eye to successfully remove the parasites. The male worm that was found in 7 of the cases showed a pair of lateral appendages near the posterior terminal end of the body. The papillar arrangement was 3 pairs of precloacal, a pair of adcloacal, and 3 pairs of postcloacal papillae, plus a central papilla just in front of the cloaca. The female worms found in the eyes of 8 horses were characterized by the tapering posterior terminal end of the body with a smooth knob. Worms were all identified as Setaria digitata (von Linstow, 1906) by the morphologic characteristics using light and electron microscopic observations. This is the first blindness cases of 15 horses infected with S. digitata (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in Korea.
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Publication Date: 2017-12-31 PubMed ID: 29320823PubMed Central: PMC5776899DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2017.55.6.667Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper reports the first cases of horse blindness caused by a parasitic worm, Setaria digitata, in Republic of Korea. The study spanned from January 2004 to November 2017, and these parasitic worms were found within the eyes of 15 horses from 12 different locations in southern Korea.

Case Findings

  • The researchers identified the presence of motile worms in the liquified part of the horses’ eyes known as the aqueous humor. These horses belonged to multiple localities in the southern regions of Korea.
  • The investigation of these cases took place over nearly 14 years, between January 2004 and November 2017.

Procedure of Parasite Removal

  • The horses affected by the parasitic infection were sedated and put under local anesthesia for the procedure to remove the worms.
  • To access the anterior (front) chamber of the horses’ eyes, where the worms were residing, the researchers used a 10 ml disposable syringe fitted with a 16-gauge needle.
  • The procedure was successful in removing the parasites from the eyes of the affected horses.

Identification of Parasites

  • The worms found were identified as male and female Setaria digitata.
  • The male worms had distinct characteristics, such as a pair of lateral appendages near the posterior terminal end of the body, and a particular papillar arrangement.
  • The female worms were identified by the tapering posterior terminal end of the body that included a smooth knob.
  • The identification of these worms as S. digitata was possible due to well-defined morphologic characteristics, validated using light and electron microscopic observations.

Significance of the Study

  • This study underscores the first cases of horse blindness caused by S. digitata infection in the Republic of Korea.
  • Previously, ocular setariases, an eye condition caused by similar parasitic infections, were reported in cattle within the region, but never in equine hosts.
  • This research further broadens the understanding of parasitic infections in different animal hosts and their impacts, like blindness in this case.
  • The research also implies the need for further preventative measures and treatments to combat ocular parasites in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Shin J, Ahn KS, Suh GH, Kim HJ, Jeong HS, Kim BS, Choi E, Shin SS. (2017). First Blindness Cases of Horses Infected with Setaria Digitata (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in the Republic of Korea. Korean J Parasitol, 55(6), 667-671. https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2017.55.6.667

Publication

The Korean journal of parasitology
ISSN: 1738-0006
NlmUniqueID: 9435800
Country: Korea (South)
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 6
Pages: 667-671

Researcher Affiliations

Shin, Jihun
  • Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
Ahn, Kyu-Sung
  • Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
Suh, Guk-Hyun
  • Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
Kim, Ha-Jung
  • Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
Jeong, Hak-Sub
  • Bongsun Veterinary Clinic, Gwangju 61671, Korea.
Kim, Byung-Su
  • YeongGwang Veterinary Clinic, Jeollanam-do 57043, Korea.
Choi, Eunsang
  • Smile Animal Clinic, Busan 46745, Korea.
Shin, Sung-Shik
  • Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blindness / etiology
  • Blindness / surgery
  • Blindness / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / parasitology
  • Horse Diseases / surgery
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / veterinary
  • Republic of Korea
  • Setaria Nematode / anatomy & histology
  • Setaria Nematode / isolation & purification
  • Setaria Nematode / ultrastructure
  • Setariasis / complications
  • Setariasis / parasitology
  • Setariasis / surgery

Conflict of Interest Statement

. We have no conflict of interest related to this work.

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Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
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