. Gnathostomiasis a rare infection caused by a parasitic nematode Gnathostoma spinigerum. The infection is acquired by ingesting undercooked or raw freshwater fish, frogs, eels, or poultry that contain the infective larvae. Once ingested, the larvae migrate through various tissues in the body, including the skin, muscles, eyes, and central nervous system.
. Symptoms are diverse and depend on the location of the migrating larvae. They can include:
Migratory hard painless swellings, deep tunnels or nodules under the skin. These swellings can be erythematous, pruritic, and/or painful.
Abdominal pain or nausea if the larvae migrate through the gastrointestinal system.
Neurological symptoms, including encephalitis, paralysis, and vision disturbances, when larvae invade the central nervous system.
. Detection of IgG antibodies indicates past or chronic infection, especially in endemic areas. Early diagnosis helps guide appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of complications, particularly those involving the nervous system, improving patient outcomes, and also valuable for monitoring the efficacy of treatment.