Gnathostoma
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Gnathostoma is a genus of roundworms that parasitize mammals. The parasite's body is armed with chitinous spines that penetrate deep into the host's tissue. Two species are known to infect humans: G. spinigerum, found in Southeast Asia, and G. hispidum, found in Central Asia.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
GNATHOSTOMA, a genus of roundworms of the family Gnathostomatidae. The body of the parasite is armed with chitinous spines either over its entire surface or on the anterior half, which penetrate deeply into the host's tissue. Two species have been found in humans: 1. Gna-thostoma spinigerum Owen, 1836—this is an obligate parasite of various wild cats (tigers, jaguars) and dogs, and is facultatively encountered in humans in the southeastern regions of Asia. The disease caused by G. spinigerum is characterized by the appearance in the skin of nodules the size of a bean, with the surrounding tissue being edematous. Thanks to the parasite's wandering, various parts of the body are affected, and a reddish line (creeping disease) is noted in the skin. Sometimes this area of skin becomes purulent, and the parasite may exit to the outside through an opened abscess. 2. Gnathostoma hispidum Fedtschenko, 1872—this is an obligate parasite in the stomach of pigs and wild boars, and may facultatively inhabit humans. In the USSR it has so far been registered only in Central Asia and in the Astrakhan gubernia in pigs.
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Cite this page
“Gnathostoma.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/gnathostoma/