Parasitic myositis in tropical Australia

Parasite zoonoses and wildlife: One health, spillover and human activity

“…The nematode, Haycocknema perplexum, remains a curiosity in terms of its zoonotic potential. It has been identified in five human patients in Australia since 1998 (Spratt, 2005;Basuroy et al, 2008). Clinical features common to infection are limb wasting and weakness associated with myositis, dysphagia and persistent eosino-philia, suggesting a long period of subclinical infection (Basuroy et al, 2008).…”

Secondary myopathy due to systemic diseases

“…Helminthic infestations manifest in the muscle predominantly as myositis. Helminthes potentially affecting the muscle include Toxocara (toxocarosis) , Echinococcus granulosus (hydatidosis) , Cysticercus (cysticercosis) , Trichinella (trichinosis) , Strongyloides (strongyloidiasis) , Haycocknema perplexum , Spirometra (sparganosis) , Fasciola (fasciolosis) , or Filaria (filariasis). Toxocara infection may go along with lumbar myositis .…”

“…Occasionally, patients taking steroids or immuno‐suppressants may develop polymyositis from strongyloides infestation . In Australia, myositis may be due to infestation with the nematode Haycocknema perplexum . In single cases, sparganosis may manifest as ocular myositis .…”

7.9 Order Muspiceida

“…Roberdollfusa paradoxa occurs in the anterior chamber of the eye of corvids in France (Chabaud & Campana 1950). Haycocknema perplexum occurs in myocytes of humans in Australia (Spratt et al 1999, Basuroy et al 2008) and a Haycocknema-like nematode has been found in the tongue, masseter muscle fibers and anterior pectoral muscles of a horse imported to Switzerland from Ireland 8 years previously (Eckert & Ossent 2006). Lappnema auris occurs in large nodules in the capillaries of the ears of reindeer in Finland (Bain & Nikander 1982).…”