ABSTRACT

Gnathostomiasis is a foodborne helminthic zoonosis caused by the spirurid nematodes of the genus Gnathostoma. The disease is endemic mainly in Asia and the Americas1-3 but has been emerging among travelers who have been to the endemic areas.4,5 According to an extensive review, Mexico, Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam were listed as the highly endemic countries of human gnathostomiasis.3 More than 9000 cases each have been reported in Mexico and Thailand and over 4000 cases in Japan. In Vietnam, over 600 serologically diagnosed cases were reported.6 In addition to those endemic countries, more than 2000 cases have been found in Ecuador.7 Recently, new endemic areas with high seroprevalence have been found in Lao PDR.8 In addition to Asia and Latin America, Africa should be considered as an endemic area of gnathostomiasis because a small number of infections were reported among travelers who visited Zambia9 and Botswana.10