Gongylonema pulchrum is a nematode that infects a number of animals. Rarely it may infect humans.
The intermediate hosts are insects (beetles, cockroaches, other), and animals become infected by swallowing infected insects in feed.
Once swallowed infective larvae from the insect burrow into the wall of the stomach or duodenum. They then migrate over the next 2-3 months to the mouth or esophagus.
Clinical findings:
(1) intermittent nausea and/or vomiting
(2) serpiginous tracks in the buccal mucosa with "zig-zagging" sensation of movement
(3) serpiginous tracks in the esophageal mucosa on endoscopy
A small hair-like filariform worm about an inch long can be extracted from an active burrow.
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