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Clinical Microbiology Reviews, July 2009, p. 484-492, Vol. 22, No. 3
0893-8512/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/CMR.00003-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Gnathostomiasis, Another Emerging Imported Disease

Joanna S. Herman1* and Peter L. Chiodini1,2 Author Bios

Department of Clinical Parasitology, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, 3rd Floor, Mortimer Market, Capper Street, London WC1E 6JB, United Kingdom,1 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom2

Gnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonosis caused by the late-third stage larvae of Gnathostoma spp. It is being seen with increasing frequency in countries where it is not endemic and should be regarded as another emerging imported disease. Previously, its foci of endemicity have been confined to Southeast Asia and Central and South America, but its geographical boundaries appear to be increasing, with recent reports of infection in tourists returning from southern Africa. It has a complex life cycle involving at least two intermediate hosts, with humans being accidental hosts in which the larvae cannot reach sexual maturity. The main risks for acquisition are consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater fish and geographical exposure. Infection results in initial nonspecific symptoms followed by cutaneous and/or visceral larva migrans, with the latter carrying high morbidity and mortality rates if there is central nervous system involvement. We review the literature and describe the epidemiology, life cycle, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gnathostomiasis.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Clinical Parasitology, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, 3rd Floor, Mortimer Market, Capper Street, London WC1E 6JB, United Kingdom. Phone: 020 7387 4411, ext. 5418. Fax: 020 7383 0041. E-mail: joherman{at}doctors.org.uk

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, July 2009, p. 484-492, Vol. 22, No. 3
0893-8512/09/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/CMR.00003-09
Copyright © 2009, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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