Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences

View all Images (4)

Gnathostomiasis
Print Captions
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Gnathostomiasis

Print Images (4)
Contributors: Edith Lederman MD, Noah Craft MD, PhD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Alerts and Notices

Synopsis

Gnathostomiasis : Abdominal pain, Fever, Nausea, Serpiginous configuration, Smooth plaque, Arthralgia, Myalgia, Pruritus, EOS increased
Gnathostomiasis is a helminth infection contracted after ingesting raw fish, frog, chicken, or pork infected with Gnathostoma spinigerum and other minor Gnathostoma spp.

The cutaneous manifestations are not unlike loiasis, where the patient complains of migratory cutaneous and subcutaneous swellings, which may be amorphous or resemble cutaneous larva migrans (serpiginous). Up to 75% of patients with gnathostomiasis may have cutaneous manifestations. Patients may complain of pruritus, arthralgias and myalgias, fever, nausea, and abdominal pain. Larvae can migrate through any organ and, therefore, nearly any physical symptom is possible; for example, right-upper-quadrant pain and transaminitis may occur as the larvae migrate through the liver. Central nervous system (CNS) disease is rarely reported but carries a markedly worse prognosis (mortality 25%). Marked eosinophilia is common.

Gnathostomiasis is endemic to many parts of Asia and South / Central America and has been described after travel to South and Central Africa. Symptoms (constitutional) occur approximately 2 days to 2 weeks after ingestion of the offending food item, but skin manifestations usually do not begin until 2 weeks or longer after exposure. If left untreated, symptoms may persist for over a decade. Gnathostomiasis occurs more commonly in adults, and there may be a slight male predominance. Recurrence requiring retreatment is not uncommon.

Codes

ICD10CM:
B83.1 – Gnathostomiasis

SNOMEDCT:
44086001 – Gnathostomiasis

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

  • Loiasis is endemic to Africa, whereas gnathostomiasis is endemic to Asia and Central / South America.
  • Strongyloidiasis (larva currens) can be distinguished from gnathostomiasis by morphology (generally linear) and by serology (Strongyloides stercoralis).
  • Sparganosis usually presents with a fixed nodule rather than migratory nodules / plaques.
  • Cutaneous larva migrans can be distinguished clinically; it usually presents on the foot after exposure to sand / soil.
  • Cellulitis
  • Erythema nodosum

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Updated:10/19/2017
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Gnathostomiasis
Captions Print   View all Images (4)
(with subscription)
A medical illustration showing key findings of Gnathostomiasis : Abdominal pain, Fever, Nausea, Serpiginous configuration, Smooth plaque, Arthralgia, Myalgia, Pruritus, EOS increased
Clinical image of Gnathostomiasis - imageId=292998. Click to open in gallery. caption: 'A serpiginous pink plaque on the back.'
A serpiginous pink plaque on the back.

+2 More images of Gnathostomiasis with subscription

Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.