Oesophagostomum bifurcum infection in man. A study on the taxonomy, diagnosis, epidemiology

Abstract

Oesophagostomum spp. are common nematode parasites of sheep, goats, cattle, and also of monkeys. Infection with this parasite can cause serious gastro-intestinal symptoms, which may lead to death. Since the beginning of this century, the parasite has also been described in humans on several occasions. Human infection with Oesophagostomum has always been considered as a zoonosis, an accidental infection of man with an animal parasite. It was assumed that its life-cycle was not completed in this unsuitable host.