Zoonotic Anatrichosomiasis in an Illinois Resident

Abstract

Abstract. We describe a case of zoonotic anatrichosomiasis in a patient from Illinois. A 44-year-old immigrant from Mexico originally presented with a history of multiple oral ulcers and two submucosal nodules on the dorsal surface of the tongue. An incisional biopsy was taken to assist with diagnosis. Examination of stained sections revealed the presence of a coiled nematode. The histologic examination displayed trichuroid features. Anatomic structures that aided in the identification included esophagus embedded in a prominent stichosome in the anterior end, paired bacillary bands, and small size. The location of the worm within the oral mucosal epithelium also facilitated the diagnosis.

Zoonotic Anatrichosomiasis in a Mother and Daughter

“…This is only the second time that Anatrichosoma has been reported from the buccal cavity of humans. In the first case, a Hispanic man living in Illinois but with recent travel to several points in Mexico presented with very similar symptoms and oral lesions observed in the present cases (5). That the two present cases also had recent travel to Mexico is highly suggestive that infection in all three cases was acquired in Mexico.…”

An annotated checklist of the eukaryotic parasites of humans, exclusive of fungi and algae

“…Genus Anatrichosoma Smith & Chitwood, 1954 Geographic distribution. Worldwide (Eberhard et al 2010(Eberhard et al , 2014a.…”

“…Definitive hosts include non-human primates, tree shrews, rodents, marsupials. Zoonotic in humans as incidental hosts (Eberhard et al 2010(Eberhard et al , 2014a.…”

“…Route of infection. Unknown, possible ingestion of embryonated eggs or unknown intermediate host (Eberhard et al 2010(Eberhard et al , 2014a.…”

“…have not been described morphologically by histopathology, it is not currently possible to characterize human isolates at the species level. Given the morphology and epidemiology, cases from the human oral cavity from Mexico and the United States are probably attributable to A. buccalis Pence & Little, 1972(Eberhard et al 2010, 2014a.…”