Autochthonous Onchocerca lupi infection of a domestic dog in Austria

Abstract

Abstract Onchocerca lupi is an emerging canine ocular pathogen with zoonotic potential. In Europe, known endemic areas are the Iberian Peninsula and Greece, but the parasite has also been found in Romania, Hungary, and Germany. A 5-year-old Irish Wolfhound was presented in August 2021 with ocular discharge. A subconjunctival granulomatous nodule containing several nematode fragments was removed. Molecular analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene confirmed the presence of O. lupi genotype 1. This is the first report of autochthonous O. lupi infection in a dog from Austria. Graphical Abstract

Keywords

• Canine onchocercosis
• Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI)
• Ocular helminthosis
• PCR
• Zoonotic