Parasitic Conjunctivitis and Lacrimal Adenitis in Two Tiger Salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium
Assoc Reptilian Amphibian Vet 8[1]:9-12 Spring'98 Case Report 11 Refs

- This report describes the occurrence of conjunctivitis and dacryoadenitis associated with the presence of spirurid nematodes in two tiger salamanders. The presence of spirurid larvae in the conjunctival sacs and lacrimal glands with concurrent inflammation is good evidence for a causal relationship. This is supported by the dissipation of ocular lesions in the second salamander after application of ivermectin topically to the affected eyes. The spirurid in the two tiger salamanders in this report could not be definitively identified based on the limited amount of diagnostic material available and improper preservation of recovered larvae. The morphology of the nematode larvae and adults in these cases is not consistent with either Physaloptera or Gnathostoma. The presence of larval forms in the conjunctival sacs and lacrimal glands is unique. Resolution of the lesions after topical anthelmintic treatment resulted in only mild periorbital depigmentation of the skin.