Surgical extraction of an intraocular infection of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in a horse.

The research article narrates the surgical extraction of a rare intraocular infection in a horse caused by a nematode called Parelaphostrongylus tenuis. Through clinical and microscopic examination, the successful extraction was achieved and the horse’s vision was retained, marking this as the first report of intraocular parelaphostrongylosis in a horse.

Clinical Evaluation of the Horse

The horse, a 4-year-old Hanoverian gelding, was brought to the attention of the researchers due to a visibly moving worm-like structure in its right eye. The evaluation included:

• Ophthalmologic examination of the infected right eye found a white, long, thin mobile parasite presumed to be a nematode in the lower part (ventral portion) of the anterior chamber of the eye.
• It also discovered vitreal strands in the inferior and temporal parts near to the pupil margin.
• The left eye was likewise examined but its results were unremarkable, meaning it did not show any abnormalities or signs of an infection.

Treatment Procedure

The horse was subjected to a series of treatments that included:

• A course of neomycin-polymyxin B-dexamethasone ophthalmic solution was applied topically (1 drop every 8 hours) to the infected right eye.
• The horse was also administered with penicillin V potassium intravenously every 6 hours.

Surgical Intervention and Result

The treatment procedure of the nematode was invasive:

• The procedure involved the horse being anesthetized to carry out the surgical incision into the cornea.
• A viscous, gel-like agent was introduced around the parasite to facilitate its extraction.
• The nematode was then removed through the incision using an iris hook and forceps.
• The horse’s recovery was without any complications and the right eye’s vision was maintained.

Parasite Identification

According to the abstract, gross and microscopic examination was used to identify the parasite. It was found to be a fully developed male Parelaphostrongylus tenuis. This report makes it the first incidence of an intraocular parelaphostrongylosis in a horse.

Conclusion

The study concludes that it is possible to retain a horse’s vision after a successful surgical treatment of an intraocular Parelaphostrongylus tenuis infection.