Introduction to special issue on Eye and Zoonosis - from the guest editors

Papers of this special issue are based on the presentations given in the Congress “Eye and Zoonosis” October 10-11 2008, Parma (Italy). This issue aims to provide researchers with timely update on a number of important topics on Zoonosis in Ophthalmology. On the occasion of the first International Congress on Ocular Zoonoses held in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2006, we were asked by the promoter, Dr. Yan Guex-Crosier, to organize the second Congress in Parma, Italy. It was a great pleasure for us to accept this invitation. We do believe that every ophthalmologist coping with inflammatory eye diseases, either because specifically working on inflammation or because inflammation has been observed by chance during an ocular examination performed for other purposes, must be aware of zoonotic diseases that affect the eye. This Congress held in Parma during two half-day sessions could not cover all zoonoses; consequently, only those most frequently observed in the European/Mediterranean area were dealt with. Zoonoses may be imported by immigrants, who represent a relatively recent phenomenon in Italy; but also travellers coming back from endemic areas are transmitting diseases hitherto unknown or forgotten in our own countries. Moreover, it must be remembered that our domestic animals can also be transmitters of zoonoses. If our pets, such as dogs and cats, are correctly cared for, they will not represent a reservoir for ticks, fleas and other potential vectors. Ocular zoonoses can no longer be ignored; every ophthalmologist, working on his own or in a public institution must remember that a red eye or a vitriitis or retinitis without any current explanation might be due to a disease transmitted by arthropod vectors from foreign countries or by animals. Correct information on this subject will prove extremely useful to our patients, avoiding severe consequences of ocular function.