Gnathostomiasis and Associated Helminthic Infections
Summary
Gnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonotic helminthic disease caused by the third-stage larvae of Gnathostoma nematodes, particularly G. spinigerum. Infection follows ingestion of raw or undercooked intermediate hosts such as freshwater fish, amphibians and reptiles. After penetrating the gastrointestinal wall, larvae migrate through subcutaneous tissues, producing intermittent migratory swellings and intense pruritus. In visceral forms, larvae can invade deep organs, while disruption of the blood–brain barrier leads to neurognathostomiasis, characterised by eosinophilic meningitis, encephalitis or focal neurological deficits. Historically endemic to Southeast Asia and Latin America, the disease now appears globally due to changing dietary habits and increased travel. Differential diagnosis includes other migratory helminthiases, such as sparganosis, paragonimiasis and anisakiasis. Advances in molecular biology, immunodiagnostics and proteomics have deepened understanding of parasite biology and host–parasite interactions, informing the development of novel diagnostic tools, therapeutic regimens and control measures aimed at improving food safety and public health education.
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Gnathostomiasis and Associated Helminthic Infections publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in gnathostomiasis and associated helminthic infections across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Zoonosis: An infectious disease naturally transmitted between animals and humans.
Third-stage larvae (L3): The infective larval stage of nematodes capable of establishing infection in the definitive host.
Neurognathostomiasis: Central nervous system involvement by migrating Gnathostoma larvae, resulting in neurological manifestations.
Immunochromatographic test (ICT): A rapid lateral-flow assay designed to detect specific antibodies or antigens in small volumes of biological fluid.
Proteomics: The large-scale analysis of proteins, including their structures, functions and interactions within a biological system.
Excretory-secretory proteins (ESPs): Molecules released by parasites that facilitate tissue invasion and modulate host immune responses.
References
- Human gnathostomiasis: a neglected food-borne zoonosis. Parasites & Vectors (2020).
- Detection of Gnathostoma spinigerum larva in the brain with complete follow-up after surgical treatment of human neurognathostomiasis. Food and Waterborne Parasitology (2024).
- Development of Immunochromatographic Test Kit for Rapid Detection of Specific IgG4 Antibody in Whole-Blood Samples for Diagnosis of Human Gnathostomiasis. Diagnostics (2021).
- Evaluation of immunodiagnostic tests for human gnathostomiasis using different antigen preparations of Gnathostoma spinigerum larvae against IgE, IgM, IgG, IgG1‐4 and IgG1 patterns of post‐treated patients. Tropical Medicine and International Health (2021).
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