Gongylonema pulchrum infection in the human oral cavity – a case report and literature review

Publication date: Available online 8 December 2017 Source:Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology Author(s): Xiaodan Liu, Zhensheng Wang, Ying Han, Hongwei Liu, Jianqiu Jin, Peiru Zhou, Sha Su, Zhimin Yan Gongylonema infection is a zoonotic disease occurring throughout the world and is mainly caused by consumption of contaminated water and raw food. Adult Gongylonema worms can exist as parasites in the human body for up to 10 years and cause symptoms of local irritation in the oral cavity, oesophagus, and pharynx. Herein, we report a rare case in which live Gongylonema pulchrum was detected and extracted from the oral cavity of a woman. The pathogen was confirmed as G. pulchrum on the basis of microscopic examination and morphological analysis. The patient's symptoms resolved immediately after surgical removal of the parasite, and the patient has been advised not to drink water that has not been boiled and to avoid consuming unwashed raw vegetables.
Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research