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We used molecular tools to identify an autochthonous case of gnathostomiasis in Madagascar. This severe ocular infection, caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum nematodes, led to vision loss in the patient's left eye. Clinicians should be aware of this parasitosis in Madagascar and other countries in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Southeast Asia, swamp eels (Synbranchidae: Monopterus spp.) are a common source of human gnathostomiasis, a foodborne zoonosis caused by advanced thirdstage larvae (AL3) of Gnathostoma spp. nematodes. Live Asian swamp eels are imported to US ethnic food markets, and wild populations exist in several states. To determine whether these eels are infected, we examined 47 eels from markets and 67 wild-caught specimens. Nematodes were identified by morphologic features and ribosomal intergenic transcribed spacer-2 gene sequencing. Thirteen (27.7%) M. cuchia eels from markets were infected with 36 live G. spinigerum AL3: 21 (58.3%) in liver; 7 (19.4%) in muscle; 5 (13.8%) in gastrointestinal tract, and 3 (8.3%) in kidneys. Three (4.5%) wild-caught M. albus eels were infected with 5 G. turgidum AL3 in muscle, and 1 G. lamothei AL3 was found in a kidney (both North American spp.). Imported live eels are a potential source of human gnathostomiasis in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gnathostomiasis is a foodborne zoonotic helminthic infection caused by the third-stage larvae of Gnathostoma spp. nematodes. The most severe manifestation involves infection of the central nervous system, neurognathostomiasis. Although gnathostomiasis is endemic to Asia and Latin America, almost all neurognathostomiasis cases are reported from Thailand. Despite high rates of illness and death, neurognathostomiasis has received less attention than the more common cutaneous form of gnathostomiasis, possibly because of the apparent geographic confinement of the neurologic infection to 1 country. Recently, however, the disease has been reported in returned travelers in Europe. We reviewed the English-language literature on neurognathostomiasis and analyzed epidemiology and geographic distribution, mode of central nervous system invasion, pathophysiology, clinical features, neuroimaging data, and treatment options. On the basis of epidemiologic data, clinical signs, neuroimaging, and laboratory findings, we propose diagnostic criteria for neurognathostomiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infection with Gnathostoma spinigerum has been generally confined to Southeast Asia and Central and South America. However, gnathostomiasis was recently found in British tourists who had visited Botswana. Consequently, travel to Africa should now be considered a risk factor for gnathostomiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents letters to the editor referencing articles and topics discussed in previous issues of "Emerging Infectious Diseases." "Toronto Emergency Medical Services and SARS," which focused on how Toronto Emergency Medical Services worked to control the outbreak of SARS in Toronto, Ontario; "SARS During Pregnancy, United States," which discussed the diagnosis of SARS in pregnant women in the U.S.; "Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion in Gnathostomiasis," which discussed a case of gnathostomiasis.

Presents views on public health issues and concerns. Epidemic occurrence of Neisseria meningitis serogroup W135 in Saudi Arabia; Cases of human gnathosmosis in Mexico; Report on human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in France; Phylogenetic analysis of the Chinese Rickettsia isolate BJ-90.

A letter to the editor about a case report of a 37-year-old man with autochnous gnathostomiasis is presented.

Reports the emergence of gnathostomosis, a foodborne zoonotic disease caused by several species of nematode Gnathostoma, in Acapulco, Mexico. Life cycle of the parasite; Prevalence of the disease; Clinical manifestations of gnathostomosis.