OHSU, CDC unravel mysterious eye infection

Oregon woman first known case of human infected with cattle eyeworm species

By Franny White February 12, 2018 Portland, Ore.

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Thelazia gulosa adult female immediately after removal from the eye. Morphological identifying features of adult female worm submitted for analysis. (Photo courtesy CDC)

Thelazia gulosa - cattle eyeworm

Thelazia gulosa. (Photo courtesy CDC)

Thelazia gulosa - cattle eyeworm

Thelazia gulosa mid body with prominent cuticular striations, intestinal tube, and ovaries containing spirurid eggs. (Photo courtesy CDC)

Thelazia gulosa - cattle eyeworm

Thelazia gulosa, whole adult female (x40 magnification, cleared). (Photo courtesy CDC)

Thelazia gulosa - cattle eyeworm

Thelazia gulosa in situ on the surface of the patient’s conjunctiva. (OHSU)

Thelazia life cycle

Thelazia life cycle. (CDC.gov/dpdx)

Erin Bonura, M.D., M.C.R.

Erin Bonura, M.D., assistant professor of medicine (infectious disease) at the OHSU School of Medicine. (OHSU)

Thelazia gulosa - cattle eyeworm

Abby Beckley, 28, of Oregon, was the first known case of human infected with "Thelazia gulosa", a cattle eyeworm species. (Photos courtesy Abby Beckley)

Thelazia gulosa - cattle eyeworm

Abby Beckley, 28, of Oregon, was the first known case of human infected with "Thelazia gulosa", a cattle eyeworm species. (Photos courtesy Abby Beckley)

Thelazia gulosa - cattle eyeworm

Abby Beckley, 28, of Oregon, was the first known case of human infected with "Thelazia gulosa", a cattle eyeworm species. (Photos courtesy Abby Beckley)