Gnathostoma spinigerum
| Gnathostoma spinigerum | |
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| Species: | G. spinigerum
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| Binomial name | |
| Gnathostoma spinigerum Levinsen, 1889
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Gnathostoma spinigerum is a parasitic nematode that causes gnathostomiasis in humans, also known as its clinical manifestations are creeping eruption, larva migrans, Yangtze edema, Choko-Fuschu Tua chid and wandering swelling. Gnathostomiasis in animals can be serious, and even fatal. The first described case of gnathostomiasis was in a young tiger that died in the London Zoo in 1835. The larval nematode is acquired by eating raw or undercooked fish and meat.
Morphology
This species grows to a length of 11 to 54 mm (0.43 to 2.13 in).
Species within the genus Gnathostoma are recognized by a bulbous head with a pair of lateral lips surrounding a mouth on the longitudinal axis. The cephalic region is covered by transverse rows of cuticular spines. Internally, the head is divided into four glandular cervical sacs that attach near the esophagus, as well as four hollow spaces called ballonets, each being continuous with a cervical sac via a central canal.[1]
The body is typically pink and is also covered anteriorly with circles of flat spines, which become sparser and single-tipped further toward the end. Behind a bare region that constitutes roughly half of the body length, many small spines can be found on the posterior tip. the four species gnathostomiasis--G. doloresi, G. hispidum, G. nipponicum, and G. spinigerum can cause human –these species are differences in these external appearance and third larvae stage which is helpful for identification.[2]
As a nematode, Gnathostoma spinigerum has cylindrical, a cuticle layer with three main outer layers made of collagen and other compounds. The outer layers are non-cellular and are secreted by the epidermis. The cuticle layer protects the nematodes so they can invade the digestive tracts of animals.[3]
Nematodes have longitudinal muscles along the body wall. The muscles are obliquely arranged in bands. Dorsal, ventral and longitudinal nerve cords are connected to the main body of the muscle. As a nematode in the group Secernentea, Gnathostoma have specialized tubular excretory system with three canals. The canals are arranged to form an H.[3]
On average, female worms are larger than males by an estimated 4 mm in length and 0.65 mm in width. Respectively, their size ranges from 11 to 54 mm and 11 to 31 mm long. Females are different from males in that they possess only two large papillae around their slightly rounded posterior ends. From the side view, the dorsal outline is rounded, whereas the ventral side appears flat. Males have eight caudal papillae encompassing the anus on their bluntly rounded ends. Characteristic of males is the presence of blunt spicules that play the important reproductive role of holding open the vagina during sperm transfer. These male copulatory organs measure 1.1 mm and 0.4 mm long.[4]
Just before molting into an adult, fourth-stage larvae have eight transverse rows of cephalic hooklets. At this point of development males can easily be differentiated from females based on identifiable sexual organs. Advanced third-stage larvae bear four rows of hooklets on their head bulbs and measure 3 to 4 mm in length and 0.3 to 0.4 mm wide. The distinctive swollen head morphology, in addition to the four rows of hooklets, already becomes apparent in second-stage larvae. Eggs have a polar cap at only one end and are laid un-embryonated within pitted shells. Their dimensions are 65-70 µm by 38-40 µm.[2]
Life cycle
G. spinigerum has a multi-host life history. The eggs hatch in fresh water and the larvae are eaten by water fleas of the genus Cyclops. The water fleas are in turn eaten by small fish. Eventually, the larvae end up in the stomachs of carnivores, usually cats and dogs. The larva bores through the stomach wall and migrates around in the host's body for about three months before returning to the stomach and attaching itself in the gastric mucosa. It then takes another six months to mature. The eggs are carried in the host's feces, and if they reach fresh water the cycle begins again. As humans are not a normal host for the larvae, they do not mature in humans, but can cause various degrees of damage, depending on where the larvae wander in the body.
Geographic range
Although Gnathostoma spinigerum are considered endemic to Thailand, they are also found in many other countries of Southeast Asia. These nematode parasites have also been reported to be found in Japan, Australia, United States, and Mexico. However, the incidence of infection is rarer outside the Asian continent.[5]
Habitat
Gnathostoma spinigerum normally could be found in wet tropical environments. Larvae can infect many classes of animals. Canine and feline species, and possibly pigs, are determined as c the definitive hosts. In Japan, freshwater fishes, Ophicephalus argus and O. tadianus, are the most important vectors of human gnathostomiasis. In addition to freshwater fishes, domestic duck, Anas platyrhynchus and the domestic chicken Gallus gallus domesticus carry the parasite in Thailand.[6]
Gnathostomiasis
People become infected via eating fresh water fish. For example, fermented fresh water fish is popular in Thailand. In order to the kill the larva living in fish muscle, one must boil the fish for a minimum of five minutes, place in a solution of vinegar and 4% acetic acid for a period of 5.5 hours, or just to avoid raw or undercooked fish.[7]
Treatment
Laboratory testing on mice treated once or twice daily with albendazole were shown to have a reduction in worm count when compared to the untreated mice group. The effective dose is 90 mg/kg twice a day for 21 straight days. Other antihelminthic drugs such as bithionol, thiabendazole, metronidazole did not reveal any therapeutic effects in experimental G. spinigerum infections.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Barnes, R. 1987. Invertebrate Zoology. Orlando, Florida: Dryden Press
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Maleewong, Wanchai; Intapan, Pewpan M.; Khempila, Jeerapa; Wongwajana, Suwin; Wongkham, Chaisiri; Morakote, Nimit (1995). "Gnathostoma spinigerum: Growth and Development of Third-Stage Larvae In vitro". The Journal of Parasitology. 81 (5): 800–3. doi:10.2307/3283983. ISSN 0022-3395. JSTOR 3283983. PMID 7472883.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Maleewong W, Loahabhan P, Wongkham C, Intapan P, Morakote N, Khamboonruang C (1992). "Effects of albendazole on Gnathostoma spinigerum in mice". J. Parasitol. 78 (1): 125–6. doi:10.2307/3283698. JSTOR 3283698. PMID 1738054.
- ↑ Roberts, L., J. Janovy. 2000. Gerald D. Schmidt and Larry S. Roberts' Foundations of Parasitology, 6th edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education
- ↑ Daengsvang, S., U. Chulalerk, T. Papasarathorn, B. Tongkoom. 1964. Epidemiological Observations On Gnathostoma spinigerum In Thailand. Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 67: 144-147
- ↑ Daengsvang, S., P. Thienprasitthi, P. Chomcherngpat. 1966. Further Investigations On Natural And Experimental Hosts Of Larvae Of Gnathostoma Spinigerum In Thailand. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 15: 727-729
- ↑ Daengsvang, S. 1949. Human Gnathostomaisis in Siam with reference to the method of prevention. The Journal of Parasitology 35: 116-121.
External links
- Tropical Medicine Central Resource - Gnathostomiasis - retrieved March 9, 2006
- Animal Diversity Web - Gnathostoma spinigerum Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine - retrieved March 9, 2006