Study on pathogenicity and central nervous system migration of the larval stage of Gnathostoma spinigerum in experimental animals.

Studies were conducted on the pathogenicity and the route of migration to the central nervous system by the immature larval stage of G.spinigerum in experimental animals. Five mice and one rat showed signs of nervous tissue damage and CNS involvement. The significant findings were massive haemorrhagic areas and blood clot around large lower nerve trunk and spinal cord invasion by the worm. The possible roles of the immature larval stages of G.spinigerum in human was discussed.