title: Cutaneous larva migrans induced by swallowing live pond loaches.
abstract: Freshwater fish, specifically loaches, are potential hosts of Gnathostoma species. Consumption of uncooked freshwater loaches may result in cutaneous larva migrans. We report the case of a 70-year-old Taiwanese man who presented with a serpiginous skin rash on his abdomen. He had eaten live loaches intermittently (sometimes daily) for 5 months before his presentation. On histopathological examination, a transected parasite body and a headbulb were found in the mid-dermis. The parasite was confirmed as belonging to the genus Gnathostoma, most likely Gnathostoma doloresi. The patient recovered uneventfully without treatment, and had no symptoms at his 12-month follow-up visit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Y-L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Y-H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: K-E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D003531:Cypriniformes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006039:Gnathostoma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058429:Gnathostomiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007815:Larva Migrans / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male