Gongylonema pulchrum

Gonglylonema Pulchrum is the only parasite of the genus Gongylonema capable of infecting humans. In humans, Gongylonema pulchrum burrows in the mucosal lining of the esophagus and other parts of the buccal cavity. There the 14cm. females lay their thick shelled eggs containing first stage larvae. The larvae all possess a cephalic hook and rows of tiny spines around a blunt anterior end, so when they hatch they may further infest their hosts.

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The infection usually occurs when someone drinks contaminated water, or consumes an infected beetle. The buccal mucosa, which is the ideal environment for the parasite is the mucous membrane of the inside of the cheek. It is non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, and is continuous with the mucosae of the soft palate, under surface of tongue and the floor of the mouth.

This parasite is multi-cellular, and capable of movement, and it’s phylum makes up a majority of the animalia kingdom, and 18% of it is parasitic. They have numerous rear mucosal projections, which assumedly assist propulsion through the thin layer of skin on the inside of the human host’s mouth. They also have an excretory system possessing lateral canals. this parasite eats epithelial cells. Also, very often the canals are a place of inflammation, with accumulation of exudates in them. Gongylonema also swallows these exudates. They have no circulatory or respiratory system.

Although these parasites are said to only thrive in tropical areas, the reports of human cases have been very evenly distributed throughout the world. There have been reports everywhere from South America’s jungles, to New York locals. These cases are few and far in between, and are usually simply a result of carelessness.

Gongylonemiasis is the affliction caused by this parasite, which is simply protracted discomfort or sensation of movement in the buccal, oral or gingival areas associated with a sensation of foreign body. Subjects commonly pull worms from their gums, tongue, lips, and inner cheeks after days and even weeks of reported discomfort. In animals, this parasite quickly spreads down the esophagus, and into the upper digestive and respiratory tracts, making it more often than not, fatal. For humans, this parasite never makes it further than the oral cavity, and is often surgically or manually extracted. Although there is no provably effective medical treatment, common treatment for this rare affliction is 400 mg. of Albendazole daily for three days as well as extraction of the parasite.

References

• A case of human infection
• G. Pulchrum in an Iranian woman
• www.drugs.com definition