Philophthalmus is a genus of obligately parasitic trematode flatworms that are sometimes known as "eyeflukes". Several dozen described species of Philophthalmus are known from Asia, Europe and America and P. gralli have been reported from the eyes of geese in the Azraq Oasis, Jordan. Philophthalmus trematodes are found mainly as parasites in the eyes of various birds, their most common definitive hosts (i.e., the host in which maturation and sexual reproduction occur), but also occur in the eyes of some mammals. Snails serve as intermediate hosts in the complex life cycle. In contrast to many trematodes, cercariae encyst on external substrata instead of inside a second intermediate host.The life cycle of Philophthalmus trematodes was reviewed by Nollen and Kanev (1995).
(Nollen and Kanev 1995; Díaz et al. 2002 and references therein; Basak et al. 2006; Neal and Poulin 2012; Literák et al. 2013).
Three species of Philophthalmus trematodes (eye flukes) have been recorded parasitizing humans: P. lacrymosus, P. gralli. and P. palpebrarum. The geographic distribution of the genus is presumed to be worldwide. The known human cases are from the United States, Central Europe, the Middle East, and southeast Asia and Japan.
Fully-embryonated Philophthalmus eggs are shed into the water from the definitive host’s eyes. Miracidia hatch almost immediately in water and penetrate the snail intermediate host. Several snail genera may serve as intermediate hosts, including Thiara spp. and Melanoides spp. Inside the snail host, the miracidia (which contain a pre-formed redia) undergo a series of stages and become cercariae. Cercaria are released from the snail and encyst on aquatic vegetation or other solid objects in the water. The definitive host, which is usually an aquatic bird, becomes infected upon ingestion of metacercariae. Metacercariae excyst in the mouth and migrate to the eye where the adults reside. Humans rarely serve as incidental hosts, but may do so when they ingest metacercariae on aquatic vegetation.
Philophthalmus is a genus of trematodes belonging to the family Philophthalmidae.[1]
The species of this genus are found in America and Australia.[1]
Species:[1]
Philophthalmus is a genus of trematodes belonging to the family Philophthalmidae.
The species of this genus are found in America and Australia.
Species:
Philophthalmus andersoni Dronen & Penner, 1975 Philophthalmus attenuatus Bennett & Presswell, 2019 Philophthalmus coturnicola Gvosdev, 1951 Philophthalmus cupensis Richter, Vrazic & Aleraj, 1953 Philophthalmus distomatosa Radev, Kanev & Gold, 2000 Philophthalmus gralli Mathis & Leger, 1910 Philophthalmus hegeneri Penner & Fried, 1963 Philophthalmus hovorkai Busa, 1956 Philophthalmus lacrymosus Braun, 1902 Philophthalmus lucipetus (Rudolphi, 1819) Philophthalmus megalurus Philophthalmus muraschkinzewi Tretiakova, 1946 Philophthalmus nocturnus Looss, 1907 Philophthalmus nyrocae Yamaguti, 1934 Philophthalmus oschmarini Shigin, 1957 Philophthalmus palpebrarum Looss, 1899 Philophthalmus posaviniensis Richter, Vrazic & Aleraj, 1953 Philophthalmus rhionica Tichomirov, 1976 Philophthalmus skrjabini Efimov, 1937 Philophthalmus stercusmuscarum Philophthalmus stugii Iskova, 1967 Philophthalmus zalophi Dailey, Perrin & Parás, 2005
