TITLE:
Subcutaneous larva migrans of a sparganum in a gnathostomiasis-endemic area
AUTHORS:
Kunlayanee Akkarachinorate, Pukvaran Udnan, Kittipong Chaisiri, Chalit Komalamisra, Paron Dekumyoy, Wallop Pakdee, Rangsan Praevanich, Sisuchart Mongkhonmu, Dorn Watthanakulpanich
KEYWORDS:
Subcutaneous Larva Migrans; Sparganosis; Zoonosis; Northern Thailand
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.2 No.9,
December
18,
2013
ABSTRACT: We report a case of
subcutaneous larva migrans caused by a tape worm (sparganum), a rare and
under-recognized food-borne parasitic zoonosis, in Nan Province, Northern Thailand. An obese 56-year-old female presented
a 3-month history of an intermittent migrating subcutaneous nodule in the
abdomen associated with pain and itching. Physical examination showed a tubal
resection scar on the lower abdomen with a swelling and movable irregular, and
firm nodule with ill-defined border at the right lower quadrant of abdomen. Blood examination showed slightincreased of eosinophil levels (6%). Excisional biopsy showed a viable
non-segmented tape worm in the subcutaneous tissue identified by morphological
examination and Western blot technique as a sparganum. Surgical removal is recommended for a worm in the subcutaneous connective
tissues and superficial muscles.