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Ophtalmomyiasis externa was observed in Djibouti Republic. A literature survey of agents indicates that sheep nasal bot fly larvae, Oestrus ovis, are frequent in many countries. Unusual case of oral or nasal infections are indicated.

As air travel expands, tropical diseases are increasingly likely to be encountered. We report a case of a nematode infection from dogs and cats that appeared in the mouth as larva migrans, and we review the literature.

Oral cysticercosis affecting the tongue in association with post kala azar dermal leishmaniasis in an adult man is presented. The features that helped to distinguish oral cysticercosis from other conditions endemic in that area are briefly discussed.

The feces of 212 sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) collected in central New Mexico from October 1982 to January 1983 and from October 1983 to January 1984 were examined to determine the prevalence of coccidial oocysts. One hundred forty-five granulomatous nodules from the viscera of 64 cranes and samples of lung, small intestine, and large intestine from 58 birds were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy for the presence of intestinal or extraintestinal coccidiosis. Of the 212 fecal samples, 160 (75%) were positive for oocysts of Eimeria, including E. gruis in 139 (66%) and E. reichenowi in 118 (56%) of the samples. Eimeria bosquei sp. n. was found in two (approximately 1%) of the fecal samples. Subspheroid to ovoid oocysts of this new species are 19-27 X 14-19 (23.6 X 17.1) micrograms with ovoid sporocysts 10-14 X 7-11 (12.3 X 9.3) micrograms. A rough, heavily pitted outer oocyst wall, sporocyst residuum, Stieda and substieda bodies, and multiple polar bodies are present. The polar bodies, of varying sizes, always aggregate at the apex of the sporulated oocyst. An Adelina sp. was found in one (0.5%) crane. Coccidian developmental stages were found in the epithelium and lamina propria of the small and large intestine. Disseminated granulomatous nodules were found in the oral mucosa, esophagus, heart, descending aorta, liver, small intestine, mesenteries, and parietal peritoneum. Unique cell types resembling coccidian asexual and sexual stages were observed by light and electron microscopy in some of the nodules.

At the beginning of our century Entamoeba gingivalis was considered to be a pathogenic bacteria, capable to induce parodontal lesions. Later on it was also found in healthy persons, and the germ was less interesting from the medical view-point. In the present study the authors report their findings concerning E. gingivalis in 135 patients with various stomatological affections including: dental caries, parodontopathies, pulpitis, gangrene, ulcero-necrotic stomatitis etc. The study was started following the discovery of the amoeba in the gingival exsudate of a male aged 19 years with chronic superficial marginal parodontopathy, who, after a treatment with metronidazol, was cured. Entamoeba gingivalis belongs to the Rhizopoda class, together with E. dysenteriae, and E. coli, but, in contrast with these strains it does not have resistance forms (cysts). Oral amoeba were evidenced in 18 out of 78 patients with parodontal lesions (23.07%), in the gingival exsudate, the purulent secretion from parodontal pouches, in the dental tartar, the alveolar fluid following extraction etc. In 117 students from the Faculty of Stomatology, and in 57 patients with various other stomatological affections these germs were not found in any of the abovementioned products. Microscopic examination of fresh preparations, and of Giemsa-stained smears was the main method for the detection of the amoeba. The etiopathogenic role of E. gingivalis is re-examined in discussions regarding certain parodontopathies.

Onchocerciasis is characterized by the presence of numerous microfilariae in the skin, by the formation of subcutaneous nodules, and by eye lesions that frequently lead to blindness. The organisms' life cycle and the clinical symptoms and histologic features of the disease are described, together with three case reports from Nigeria. One of the cases involved a rare intraoral lesion.

A ten-month-old Cocker Spaniel presented for fever, difficulty walking, and oral lesions. Muscle pain, bloody diarrhea, respiratory disease and central nervous system inflammation were found while the animal was hospitalized. Merozoites of Hepatozoon canis were discovered in association with pyogranulomas in a muscle biopsy. No other etiologic agent for the clinical signs was identified.

All the parasitic diseases which may affect the face and the mouth are reviewed. Protozoan and helminths infections are described as well as arthropod bites and envenomation by other animals. Protozoan infections of interest to the oral and maxillofacial specialist are leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, cutaneous amebiasis, and toxoplasmosis. Helminth infections are due to nematodes, trematodes, and cestodes. Nematoda (true roundworm) infections include ankylostomiasis, strongyloidiasis, gnathostomiasis, gongylonemiasis, trichinosis, dracunculosis, loaiasis, filariasis, dirofilariasis, and onchocerciasis. Only schistosomiasis has to be considered in Trematoda (flukes) infections. Cestoda (tapeworms) infections are cysticercosis, equinococcosis, and sparganosis. Finally, episodic bites and stings to the face, by arthropods (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, etc.) and many other venomous animals are also possible.

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.

The oral protozoa frequency has been studied in 300 patients consulting for oral problems. Entamoeba gingivalis has been isolated more frequently in culture than Trichomonas tenax (50.7% against 28%). The age range which showed the highest frequency in protozoa was the 30-34 year old group for the amoeba and the 45-54 year old group for the flagellae. The endemia increased progressively in relation to the OHIS index. Trichomonas tenax is three times more frequent in case of deep periodontal diseases whereas, Entamoeba gingivalis reached its highest frequency in the case of gingivitis. The pathogenic potentials of these protozoa have been discussed in the light of these correlations and some therapeutical arguments.