GNATHOSTOMIASIS IN FROG-EATING SNAKES FROM JAPAN

Gnathostoma doloresi parasitizes the gastric wall of wild (boars) and domestic (pigs) swine (Sus scrofa). Its larvae cause cutaneous larva m igrans in humans. Amphibians, reptiles and a freshwater fish are infec ted with the advanced 3rd stage larvae. Prevalence of C. doloresi larv ae were surveyed in several snakes, especially in a common frog-eating snake (Rhabdophis tigrinus). All species of snakes examined were infe cted with G. doloresi larvae suggesting that snakes are important rese rvoir hosts. Prevalence of G. doloresi larvae in frog eating snakes wa s lower than that found in mammal-eating snakes. Thus, as a source of infection to snakes, small mammals may be more important than frogs in the natural life cycle of G. doloresi in Japan.