Human gnathostomiasis: A review on the biology of the parasite with special reference on the current therapeutic management
Issued Date
2023-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
24056766
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85170559300
Journal Title
Food and Waterborne Parasitology
Volume
33
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Food and Waterborne Parasitology Vol.33 (2023)
Suggested Citation
Nogrado K., Adisakwattana P., Reamtong O. Human gnathostomiasis: A review on the biology of the parasite with special reference on the current therapeutic management. Food and Waterborne Parasitology Vol.33 (2023). doi:10.1016/j.fawpar.2023.e00207 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/90067
Title
Human gnathostomiasis: A review on the biology of the parasite with special reference on the current therapeutic management
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Gnathostoma is a parasitic nematode that can infect a wide range of animal species, but human populations have become accidental hosts because of their habit of eating raw or undercooked meat from a wide variety of intermediate hosts. While gnathostomiasis is considered an endemic disease, cases of human gnathostomiasis have been increasing over time, most notably in nonendemic areas. There are several complexities to this parasitic disease, and this review provides an update on human gnathostomiasis, including the life cycle, diagnosis, treatment, and treatment strategies used to combat drug resistance. Even now, a definitive diagnosis of gnathostomiasis is still challenging because it is difficult to isolate larvae for parasitological confirmation. Another reason is the varying clinical symptoms recorded in reported cases. Clinical cases can be confirmed by immunodiagnosis. For Gnathosotoma spinigerum, the detection of IgG against a specific antigenic band with a molecular weight of 24 kDa from G. spinigerum advanced third-stage larvae (aL3), while for other species of Gnathostoma including G. binucleatum, the 33-kDa antigen protein is being used. This review also discusses cases of recurrence of gnathostomiasis and resistance mechanisms to two effective chemotherapeutics (albendazole and ivermectin) used against gnathostomiasis. This is significant, especially when planning strategies to combat anthelmintic resistance. Lastly, while no new chemotherapeutics against gnathostomiasis have been made available, we describe the management of recurrent gnathostomiasis using albendazole and ivermectin combinations or extensions of drug treatment plans.