Creeping eruption caused by a larva of the suborder Spirurina type X

We report a case of creeping eruption caused by a larva of the suborder Spirurina type X, which developed in a 46-year-old Japanese male. The patient ate small raw squids (Watasenia scintillans) 5 days before the onset of symptoms. On examination, an approximately 25-cm-long serpiginous red track with vesicles was observed from the right to the upper left side of the abdomen of the patient. Histological examination revealed the transverse section of a larval worm in the upper to middle dermis.The patient serum was positive only for the antibody against larvae of the suborder Spirurina type X in ELISA, and negative for all other anti-parasite antibodies. Because a considerable number of people are fond of eating raw or nearly-raw fish and shellfish in Japan, opportunities for developing creeping eruption cause by parasites present in raw fish and shellfish are relatively high.