A case of ocular infection with Onchocerca lupi in a dog from Germany.

Onchocerca lupi is an emerging zoonotic parasite infecting the ocular connective tissue of dogs, cats and humans. The only known case of canine ocular onchocerciasis in Germany was documented in 2002 in a shelter dog. However, the species of Onchocerca causing the infection could not be identified. Here, we report a case of the ocular infection with O. lupi in a dog, confirmed by PCR and sequencing of the cox1 gene. Further investigations are required to assess the risk factors for transmission and spread of the parasite in Germany.