Canine Trichomonas tenax mandibular gland infestation.

BACKGROUND: Several species of trichomonads are intestinal or urogenital parasites of humans and animals, with only a few species typically being located in the oral cavity. The prevalence of oral trichomoniasis in dogs is approximately 15-25 %, although the prevalence varies among different populations and depends on age, sex and the health of the oral cavity. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of mandibular gland infestation by trichomonads in a 13-year-old female Dachshund with advanced periodontal disease and oral trichomoniasis is reported. The dog was referred due to a history of a painless swelling over the left submandibular region that increased in size over time. Based on physical and ultrasound examinations, a final diagnosis of mandibular gland cyst was established and transcutaneous needle aspiration was carried out. Numerous mobile trophozoites of trichomonads were found by microscopy and culturing for trichomonas was performed. The species was finally characterized as Trichomonas tenax by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: Studies have shown that T. tenax can be found in humans in atypical locations such as the salivary glands and upper and lower respiratory tracts. According to our knowledge this is the first report of T. tenax being present in the salivary glands of a dog. Because of the relatively high prevalence of trichomoniasis in dogs with periodontal diseases, these parasites should be considered together with bacterial and viral agents in salivary gland infections, especially in individuals with compromised oral health.

Mylohyoid cysticercosis: a rare submandibular mass.

Cysticercosis is endemic in developing countries such as India. This infection is acquired via ingestion of cysticerci, the larvae of the Taenia solium (tapeworm, or cestode), in uncooked/undercooked pork or fecally contaminated food or water. Although skeletal muscle commonly harbors the cysticerci, we report a case in which they had infested the mylohyoid muscle in the floor of mouth, a site that has not been mentioned previously in the literature.

[Mansonella perstans isolated on aspiration puncture of a salivary gland]. / Mansonella perstans aislada en una punción-aspiración de glándula salival.

Chronic parasitosis due to nematode worms (filariae) in tissue are very common in tropical ecosystems; their larvae (microfilariae) have been isolated in lymph vessels, skin, and blood. The case reported here is of a Nigerian patient suffering severe renal failure and admitted owing to the presence of a right submandibular gland abscess. In the FNAP, the presence of a Mansonella perstans microfilaria was identified. Post-surgery examination of pathology samples from the gland reported an acute inflammatory infiltrate including abundant eosinophils and microfilariae. There are some reports in the literature of haematic or lymphatic microfilariae, especially in epithelial or glandular tissues, and, as in this case, in inflammatory or malignant conditions. Both ivermectin and mebendazol are used for treatment; the scant pathogenicity of the genus Mansonella should, however, lead to an individualized decision.

Erroneous reports of the neotropical Echinococcus oligarthrus as a cause of echinococcosis in India.

Two cases of submandibular echinococcosis have been reported in adult residents of India (Kini et al., 1997; Sahni et al., 2000). It was stated in both publications that the cestode was E. oligarthrus, "a rare variety of E. granulosus", based on morphogical characteristics. It was also mentioned that 3 cases of E. granulosus with similar submandibular metacestode had been previously diagnosed in India. The metacestode is readily distinguishable from that of E. oligarthrus. The final hosts of E. oligarthrus are several neotropical species of wild cats and metacestode occurs in hystricognath, all of them absent in India. The larval stage of all 4 species of Echinococcus can be differentiated on the basis of the form and dimensions of rostellar hooks of protoescoleces. With the information provided in the two papers we concluded that the 2 cases of echinococcosis described in India were due to E. granulosus.

Submandibular hydatid cyst caused by Echinococcus oligarthrus.

An unusual case of Echinococcus oligarthrus infestation of the submandibular salivary gland is reported. Echinococcus oligarthrus is a rare variant of the Echinococcus species affecting humans. To the best of our knowledge only one case of submandibular hydatid cyst caused by Echinococcus oligarthrus has been reported. A 28-year-old female patient was admitted with a progressively increasing swelling in the left submandibular region of four years' duration. There was no pulmonary or hepatic involvement. The present case of submandibular hydatid cyst caused by Echinococcus oligarthrus is of interest because of the unusual site of the disease.

Maxillofacial hydatid cysts.

We report 2 cases of hydatid cysts occurring in the submandibular gland and buccal submucosa, respectively. Our first case occurred in the submandibular salivary gland of a 20-year-old woman and the second involved the buccal submucosa of a 6-year-old boy. Both diagnoses were made after the excision of the lesions. Both patients were evaluated after surgery, and both were followed up, but no other organs were involved.

Salivary trichomoniasis. A case report of infestation of a submaxillary gland by Trichomonas tenax.

A tumor was suspected after detection of an asymptomatic submaxillary swelling in an 85-year-old woman. Clinical, radiologic, and biologic investigations were fruitless. Transcutaneous needle aspiration revealed numerous trichomonads and led to the conclusion that a salivary duct was infested by Trichomonas tenax. The patient recovered following treatment with metronidazole, and there has been no recurrence after 2 years. This case sheds new light on the pathogenic properties of trichomonads. Peculiar features of this previously unreported location are discussed. Trichomonas tenax is often unrecognized by pathologists, and surely such cases are often misdiagnosed.

Acquired toxoplasmosis of a submandibular lymph node in a 13-year-old boy: case report.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection divided into congenital and acquired forms. In the latter form, malaise, fatigue, and lymphadenopathy are commonly found, and submandibular lymphadenopathy is sometimes a manifestation. In children, cervical lymph nodes usually are affected. This is a case of a 13-year-old boy suffering from acquired toxoplasmosis, in which submandibular lymphadenopathy was the only clinical sign of the disease. Meticulous history taking, clinical examination, and specific serological tests should be performed in these cases. Positive serological results will confirm toxoplasmosis infections. Conservative treatment must be attempted initially.

Submandibular hydatid cyst. A case report.

An unusual case of Echinococcus cysticus infection of the submandibular salivary gland is reported. A 41-year-old female patient was admitted with a progressively increasing swelling in the left submandibular region present for two years. There was no pulmonary or hepatic involvement. The site, and that there is no evidence of pulmonary or hepatic involvement is of interest in this patient. Definitive therapy required radical surgery.

[Human sparganosis. A clinical case]. / Sparganosi umana. Caso clinico.

After reviewing the international literature, the Authors report an uncommon case of sparganosis localized in a submandibular gland.