BOVINE THELAZIASIS IN MASSACHUSETTS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 70  (4) , 344-359
Abstract
A survey for Thelazia sp. in Massachusetts [USA] bovines was conducted in 1977-1978. Two species of eyeworms T. gulosa and T. skrjabini were recovered from cattle eyes obtained from abattoirs. Of 795 eyes examined 97 (12.2%) were infected with Thelazia sp. Eyes (74) were parasitized by T. gulosa and 8 by T. skrjabini alone, with 15 showing mixed infections. Infections were subclinical on postmortem examination except in 1 eye where a nodule of T. gulosa worms under the conjunctiva surface was associated with extensive lesions and general conjunctivitis. In another instance, a mass of juvenile T. gulosa parasites in the conjunctival sac resulted in slight scarification, localized edema and redness.