# Human Infection by Zoonotic Eye Fluke Philophthalmus lacrymosus, South America

## TL;DR

A traveler developed severe conjunctivitis from a zoonotic eye fluke likely contracted in the Galápagos Islands.

## Contribution

This is the first reported case of human infection by Philophthalmus lacrymosus in South America.

## Key findings

- The infection was likely acquired on the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.
- Philophthalmus lacrymosus is known to be endemic in Brazil and Venezuela, infecting birds and capybaras.
- The case highlights the zoonotic potential of this parasite to infect humans.

## Abstract

We report a case of severe conjunctivitis in a traveler infected with a Philophthalmus lacrymosus eye fluke, probably acquired on the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. This zoonotic parasite is endemic in Brazil and Venezuela, where it has been reported in birds and capybaras.