Sir,

Filarial infestation by genus Dunnifilaria has been reported only in animals.

Case report

An 80-year-old woman complained of left eye pain associated with blurring of vision for 3 days. On examination, her left eye vision was 6/60, not improving with pin hole. The left eye was injected and pupil was 3 mm with posterior synechiae. There was a localized cornea oedema inferiorly near the limbus. The most striking feature was the presence of a worm in the anterior chamber (Figure 1). It measured approximately 4 mm, was white in colour, semitransparent, and photosensitive. One end was rounded, while the other end was pointed. There was moderate anterior chamber reaction. Funduscopy of the left fundus was normal.

Figure 1
figure 1

Worm in anterior chamber.

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The patient was started on topical Bethamethasone 0.1% drops on a 2-hourly basis and Cyclopentolate 0.5% tds. Surgical evacuation of the worm was done and the specimen was sent for examination.

The parasitologist identified the worm from the genus Dunnifilaria, with the features closest to Dunnifilaria ramachandrani (Figure 2).

Figure 2
figure 2

Microscopic feature of the filarial.

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Peripheral blood film, stool, and urine examinations were negative for parasite infestation. Blood differential count did not show eosinophilia. Post surgical evacuation of the parasite, the patient had uneventful recovery.

Comment

Intraocular worm infestation is an uncommon phenomenon. Live nematodes that have been found to affect the eye include Loa loa, Onchocerca, Gnathostoma, Angiostrongylus, Toxocara (visceral larva migrans), Wuchereria bancrofti, Ascaris, Brugia malayi, and Thelazia.1

The most common infections in man with filariae of animal origin are caused by members of the genus Dirofilaria.2 The infestation by the Dunnifilaria genus has not been reported in humans.

There are only three known species in this genus, which comprises D. dilli, D. ramachandrani and D. meningica.3 The primary host of Dunnifilaria is rodent.