Gongylonema Parasitology in Wildlife and Humans
Summary
Gongylonema species are spirurid nematodes that inhabit the mucosal and submucosal tissues of the oral cavity, oesophagus and forestomachs of a wide range of vertebrate hosts. In wildlife, these parasites have been documented in cervids, rodents, callitrichid primates and other free-ranging mammals, often with minimal clinical signs despite chronic mucosal irritation. Transmission occurs via ingestion of infective larvae carried by intermediate insect hosts, notably dung beetles and other coprophagous invertebrates. Sporadic human infections arise when accidental ingestion of infective stages leads to oesophageal gongylonemiasis, characterised by epigastric discomfort, foreign-body sensation and occasional mucosal ulceration. Although fewer than a hundred human cases have been recorded, the cosmopolitan distribution of infective larvae and the ubiquity of suitable insect vectors suggest under-recognition rather than true rarity. Advances in endoscopic detection and molecular diagnostics have improved case identification, yet challenges remain in linking clinical presentation to exposure history. The global significance of Gongylonema parasitology lies in its role at the wildlife–livestock–human interface, emphasising the need for integrated surveillance, improved sanitary practices in abattoirs and enhanced awareness among veterinarians, hunters and healthcare providers.
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Gongylonema Parasitology in Wildlife and Humans publication trend
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Technical terms
Zoonotic: Referring to a disease or parasite transmissible from animals to humans.
Definitive host: The host in which a parasite reaches sexual maturity and reproduces.
Intermediate host: An organism that harbours the larval or asexual stages of a parasite before transmission to the definitive host.
cox1 gene: A mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, widely used for species identification and phylogenetic analyses.
References
- First Molecular Data of Gongylonema pulchrum (Rhabditida: Gongylonematidae) in European Fallow Deer Dama dama from Romania. Pathogens (2024).
- Case report: First report of potentially zoonotic Gongylonema pulchrum in a free-living roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in Slovenia. Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2024).
- First detection of Gongylonema species in Geotrupes mutator in Europe. Journal of Nematology (2021).
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