<i>Armillifer</i> Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review
<i>Armillifer</i> is a genus of obligate parasites belonging to the Pentastomida subclass that was first described as a cause of human disease in 1847. Human infection by <i>Armillifer</i> is rare and not widely known. These parasites are transmitted to humans by handling or...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-05-01
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| Series: | Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/4/2/80 |
| _version_ | 1811300817646387200 |
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| author | Petros Ioannou Rodanthi Vamvoukaki |
| author_facet | Petros Ioannou Rodanthi Vamvoukaki |
| author_sort | Petros Ioannou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Armillifer</i> is a genus of obligate parasites belonging to the Pentastomida subclass that was first described as a cause of human disease in 1847. Human infection by <i>Armillifer</i> is rare and not widely known. These parasites are transmitted to humans by handling or eating undercooked meat from infected snakes, which are the definitive hosts, or oral uptake of environmental ova. The aim of this systematic review was to record all available evidence regarding infections by <i>Armillifer</i> in humans. A systematic review of PubMed (through 21 December 2018) for studies providing epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, as well as treatment data and outcomes of <i>Armillifer</i> infections was conducted. A total of 26 studies, containing data of 40 patients, were eventually included in the analysis. The most common sites of infection were the peritoneal cavity, the liver, the lower respiratory and the abdominal tract. The commonest infecting species was <i>A. armillatus</i> and most patients were asymptomatic; however, when symptoms occurred, the commonest was abdominal pain, even though unusual presentations occurred, such as hepatic encephalopathy or neurologic symptoms. Most cases were diagnosed at surgery or by imaging, and most patients were not treated. Mortality was low, but the majority of the cases with ocular infection lead to permanent loss of vision. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:57:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-75054c2cef454f4f814455591138bb48 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2414-6366 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:57:45Z |
| publishDate | 2019-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease |
| spelling | doaj.art-75054c2cef454f4f814455591138bb482022-12-22T02:57:12ZengMDPI AGTropical Medicine and Infectious Disease2414-63662019-05-01428010.3390/tropicalmed4020080tropicalmed4020080<i>Armillifer</i> Infections in Humans: A Systematic ReviewPetros Ioannou0Rodanthi Vamvoukaki1Department of Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, PC71303 Crete, GreeceDepartment of Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, PC71303 Crete, Greece<i>Armillifer</i> is a genus of obligate parasites belonging to the Pentastomida subclass that was first described as a cause of human disease in 1847. Human infection by <i>Armillifer</i> is rare and not widely known. These parasites are transmitted to humans by handling or eating undercooked meat from infected snakes, which are the definitive hosts, or oral uptake of environmental ova. The aim of this systematic review was to record all available evidence regarding infections by <i>Armillifer</i> in humans. A systematic review of PubMed (through 21 December 2018) for studies providing epidemiological, clinical, microbiological, as well as treatment data and outcomes of <i>Armillifer</i> infections was conducted. A total of 26 studies, containing data of 40 patients, were eventually included in the analysis. The most common sites of infection were the peritoneal cavity, the liver, the lower respiratory and the abdominal tract. The commonest infecting species was <i>A. armillatus</i> and most patients were asymptomatic; however, when symptoms occurred, the commonest was abdominal pain, even though unusual presentations occurred, such as hepatic encephalopathy or neurologic symptoms. Most cases were diagnosed at surgery or by imaging, and most patients were not treated. Mortality was low, but the majority of the cases with ocular infection lead to permanent loss of vision.https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/4/2/80<i>Armillifer</i>parasitetropical diseases |
| spellingShingle | Petros Ioannou Rodanthi Vamvoukaki <i>Armillifer</i> Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease <i>Armillifer</i> parasite tropical diseases |
| title | <i>Armillifer</i> Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | <i>Armillifer</i> Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | <i>Armillifer</i> Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | <i>Armillifer</i> Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | <i>Armillifer</i> Infections in Humans: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | i armillifer i infections in humans a systematic review |
| topic | <i>Armillifer</i> parasite tropical diseases |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/4/2/80 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT petrosioannou iarmilliferiinfectionsinhumansasystematicreview AT rodanthivamvoukaki iarmilliferiinfectionsinhumansasystematicreview |