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Human infection with Gongylonema pulchrum: a case report
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University of Munich, Germany.
Tropical Medicine and Parasitology : Official Organ of Deutsche Tropenmedizinische Gesellschaft and of Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
|December 1, 1994
Summary
A rare human infection, gongylonemiasis, was treated by extracting a Gongylonema pulchrum worm from a woman's cheek. This parasitic infection, common in animals, is exceptionally uncommon in people.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Human Pathology
Background:
- Gongylonema pulchrum is a nematode parasite typically found in various vertebrate hosts, including domestic animals.
- Human infections (gongylonemiasis) are exceedingly rare, with fewer than 50 cases documented globally since 1864.
Observation:
- A 43-year-old woman presented with a painful tumor on her left buccal mucosa.
- A 35 mm adult female Gongylonema pulchrum worm was successfully extracted from the lesion after initial anti-inflammatory treatment.
Findings:
- Complete recovery was achieved five days post-extraction without the need for further medical intervention.
- The patient's infection was potentially acquired in Hungary via ingestion of contaminated water from an open well.
Implications:
- This case highlights the possibility of human infection with Gongylonema pulchrum, emphasizing the need for clinical awareness.
- Understanding the life cycle and transmission routes of Gongylonema pulchrum is crucial for preventing rare human cases.