Gnathostomiasis - Various localizations of swellings

France, Le Fichoux Yves

Gnathostomiasis is common in Far East and tropical Latin America. The disease has been divided into cutaneous and visceral forms, depending on the site of larval migration and subsequent symptoms. Clinical picture usually comprises intermittent, migratory skin and subcutaneous swellings (localized or not localized) with or without peripheral elevated blood eosinophilia. Patients become infected by eating uncooked food infected with the larval third stage of the helminth. Such foods typically include fish, shrimp, crab, crayfish, frog, or chicken.