Gnathostoma spinigerum

Gnathostoma spinigerum is a parasitic nematode that causes gnathostomiasis in humans, As a nematode, Gnathostoma spinigerum has cylindrical, a cuticle layer with three main outer layers made of collagen and other compounds. The outer layers are non-cellular and are secreted by the epidermis. The cuticle layer protects the nematodes so they can invade the digestive tracts of animals.

Characteristics
Shape and Size
female worms are 11 to 54 mm and males are 11 to 31 mm long.
Genome Information
whole genome not resolved
Food Source
ingestion of raw or undercooked meat (e.g., freshwater fish, chicken, snails, frogs, pigs) or contaminated water
Pathological Factor
Humans become infected when they ingest third-stage larvae in raw or undercooked flesh of freshwater fish or other definitive hosts or when they drink, work in, or bathe in freshwater contaminated with larvae or infected copepods. Humans are non-required hosts. Gnathostoma species survive in humans but cannot mature into adult worms capable of reproduction. In humans, the larvae do not return to the stomach wall, but rather, they can migrate throughout the body for as long as 10-12 years. For this reason, eggs are rarely, if ever, found in human feces.
Disease
Gnathostomiasis
Symptoms
epigastric pain, fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite,
Affected Body Organs
subcutaneous tissues (under the skin)

Classification
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Nematoda
Class Secernentea
Order Spirurida
Family Gnathostomatidae
Genus Gnathostoma
Species G. spinigerum