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Gongylonema infection is a zoonotic disease occurring throughout the world and is mainly caused by consumption of contaminated water and raw food. Adult Gongylonema worms can exist as parasites in the human body for up to 10 years and cause symptoms of local irritation in the oral cavity, esophagus, and pharynx. Herein, we report a rare case in which live Gongylonema pulchrum was detected and extracted from the oral cavity of a woman. The pathogen was confirmed as G. pulchrum on the basis of microscopic examination and morphologic analysis. The patient's symptoms resolved immediately after surgical removal of the parasite, and the patient has been advised not to drink water that has not been boiled and to avoid consuming unwashed raw vegetables., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Midline destructive lesions have multiple possible etiologies, which can be grouped into neoplastic, infectious, or vasculitis-associated. The purpose of these case reports and literature review was to highlight the need to include mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in the diagnosis of midfacial lesions in any patient who has lived in Leishmania-endemic areas because this entity meets all of the clinical criteria to be considered a form of midline destructive lesion. We present two cases of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis that occurred in a Bolivian male immigrant and a European male traveler to Panama, in whom lesions were misdiagnosed as different midline destructive lesions with different causes (Wegener, vasculitis, and natural killer or T-cell lymphoma [NKTL]). The conclusion of our work is that all patients with midline destructive lesions should undergo histologic and molecular studies to be evaluated for mucosal leishmaniasis, particularly patients whose clinical history suggests this possibility. In cases of uvular involvement, biopsy of this region might be a possible alternative to nasal biopsy., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe a series of 10 cases of oral-maxillofacial myiasis, discussing its main features, demographic distribution, and treatment aspects., Study Design: A retrospective study was carried out involving male and female patients of any age with oral-maxillofacial myiasis. The sample was determined by spontaneous demand at the emergency ward of a hospital between January 2005 and January 2011 (6 years). After treatment of each case, data were gathered on the presence of associated systemic disorders, time elapsed since onset of the disease, and treatment established. A review of the literature on this topic was also carried out., Results: The sample was made up of 10 patients, all treated with surgical debridement whether or not associated with the use of oral ivermectin. Mean time elapsed since the onset of the disease ranged from 4 to 36 months. The middle third of the face was the most frequently affected region (7 cases). Oral-maxillofacial myiasis predominantly affected the male gender (70%)., Conclusions: Oral-maxillofacial myiasis affects individuals with poor hygiene and neurologic and/or psychologic alterations. It occurs predominantly in countries near the tropics. The treatment of choice is surgical debridement., (Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cysticercosis is a potentially fatal parasitic disease that rarely involves the oral region in humans. This study includes 21 lesions seen in 16 Latin American patients. There were 8 men and 8 women, with an age range from 6 to 67 years (mean 33.6 years). Most cases appeared as asymptomatic submucosal nodules that resembled mucous cysts or benign mesenchymal neoplasms. Most were found in the tongue (11 cases), followed by buccal mucosa and the lower lip (4 cases each) and upper lip (2 cases). These were well circumscribed, and ranged in size from 1 to 2.5 cm in diameter. Typical histologic features of viable cysticerci were observed in 15 cases, and the presence of colloid degeneration and granular mineralization were detected in only 1 case. In all cases, simple surgical excision was sufficient to ensure complete removal of the lesions without postoperative complications. It is important to carry out a detailed study in every case, in order to exclude the presence of the parasite in other sites.

We report 2 cases of hydatid cysts occurring in the submandibular gland and buccal submucosa, respectively. Our first case occurred in the submandibular salivary gland of a 20-year-old woman and the second involved the buccal submucosa of a 6-year-old boy. Both diagnoses were made after the excision of the lesions. Both patients were evaluated after surgery, and both were followed up, but no other organs were involved.

Although cysticercosis is a common disease in developing countries, oral lesions produced by this parasitic infestation are rare. In this report we document a case of oral cysticercosis in a 7-year-old girl who sought treatment for an asymptomatic nodule of the left buccal mucosa that had been clinically diagnosed as a mucocele.

Lesions were formed in the mouth of the horse by first- and second-stage Gasterophilus intestinalis larvae. The lesions resulted as larvae burrowed through the top millimeter of the tongue and then became embedded in the interdental gingiva. Appearance of the lesion was dependent on the degree of larval burrowing activity and healing that had taken place. Active tunneling production occurred at the posterior end of the lesion. Extensive change in configuration and color was apparent along the longer lesions with active larvae. Virtually all tissue in the path of the larvae was removed while forming a tunnel. Tissue destroyed included tops of the lamina propria mucosae evaginations and the deeper portions of the lamina epithelialis mucosae. Histopathologic findings showed that the tissue removed included the nerve and blood supply of the proprial evaginations. Hemorrhage and exocytosis into the tunnels included erythrocytes mixed with some macrophages, lymphocytes and scant numbers of eosinophils. Air shafts excavated in the tongue by larvae enabled bacteria to enter into the tunnels. Bacteria became adhered to larvae and initiated microabscesses. Microabscesses were composed of clotted erythrocytes, bacteria, disintegrating epithelial cells, and large numbers of neutrophils. Cells surrounding the tunnel exhibited pyknosis, epithelial hydropic degeneration and became separated from each other. Healing of tongue lesions occurred as epithelial cell growth below raised the tunnel upward and affected tissue desquamated. Interdental gingiva invaded by larvae were hyperemic and denuded of epithelia. Recession and ulceration of the gingiva produced periodontal pockets. Extensive invasion by larvae led to compound periodontal pockets. Larval mouth hooks were embedded in the submucosa of the pockets and tore at engorged capillaries. The cephalic portion of embedded larvae became surrounded by a cellular exudate containing erythrocytes and mononuclear cells. Attachment of second-stage larvae at the root of the tongue did not produce observable damage.

Oral appearances of intestinal parasitic disease are rare. One such appearance is the presence in oral tissues of encysted or encapsulated larvae of organisms from the classes Cestoidea and Nematoda. Cestode larvae form cyst-like lesions that are often clinically diagnosed as mucoceles. In these lesions, the cyst cavity is lined by fibrous tissue with inflammatory cells, and contains fluid and the larval stage of a parasite. The diagnosis of these parasitic cysts is more frequently made in younger persons. The cysts may be treated by simple excision, but care must be taken that the cyst does not rupture, as in some parasites this may result in new cyst formation. Nematode infection in the oral cavity, the most common of which appears to be trichinosis, is rarely reported. Patients with oral or maxillofacial (or both) parasitic disease must undergo a thorough medical investigation to exclude possible life-threatening involvement in other parts of the body.