Ternidens Deminutus Infection: First Pathological Report of a Human Case in Asia
Vichitra Hemsrichart, MD*
Affiliation : * Institute of Pathology, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health
This is a report of Ternidens deminutus infection in a 33 year old Thai female who was admitted to
the hospital because of abdominal pain and a right lower quadrant mass. Exploratory laparotomy revealed
an omental mass with attached terminal ileum. Resection of the mass together with the terminal ileum and the
right sided colon was performed. Pathologically, the omental mass was an abscess with an immature male
Ternidens deminutus identified.
The parasite usually is found in the intestine of primates in Africa and Asia. Human infection occurs
when food contaminated with infective filariform larvae is ingested. The larvae molt in the intestinal wall
and become adults. They pass eggs in feces. Eggs in contaminated soil hatch and become rhabditiform larvae
and then infective filariform larvae.
This is the first pathological report of this parasite in Asia.
Keywords : Ternidens deminutus, Parasite, Human, Asia, Strongylidae
