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Morphological differentiation among three Thelazia species (Nematoda: Thelaziidae) by scanning electron microscopy

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Abstract

Thelaziasis is an ocular infection of several mammals caused by nematodes of the genus Thelazia (Spirurida, Thelaziidae). The adults live in the lachrymal ducts and conjunctival sacs of infected animals, and transmission occurs by means of different species of muscids. T. rhodesi, T. skrjabini, and T. gulosa affect mainly cattle, inducing conjunctivitis, keratitis, and ocular discharge. This article describes the morphological features of adult T. rhodesi, T. skrjabini, and T. gulosa by scanning electron microscopy and highlights the most relevant differences for their identification.

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Acknowledgement

The author deeply thanks Dr. A. Kariman, Mr. Samani, and Mr. Gerami, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tehran University, Iran, who was of enormous assistance with collection of material examined in this study. The author wishes to express her appreciation to Professor Larry A. Arsenault, head of the electron microscope facility, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Canada, for his assistance in providing all facilities during the study. Thanks to Mr. Ernie Spitzer, chief technician, and all technicians in the electron microscope facility for their help. The author is also grateful to Dr. Shigehiko Uni, Osaka City University, Japan, for translating the Japanese article and helpful comments. Finally, the author is especially obliged to Dr. Christine M. Budke, Texas A&M University, USA, and Professor Domenico Otranto, University of Bari, Italy, for their continuous support and critical review of the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, P.O. Box 1177, Urmia, Iran

    Soraya Naem

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  1. Soraya Naem
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Correspondence to Soraya Naem.

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Naem, S. Morphological differentiation among three Thelazia species (Nematoda: Thelaziidae) by scanning electron microscopy. Parasitol Res 101, 145–151 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0432-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-006-0432-4

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