Human subcutaneous sparganosis caused by Spirometra erinaceieuropaei in Vietnam

Le Van Hai; Lam Van Lenh; Dang Thanh Chung; Pham Van Thinh; Nguyen Thu Hien; Tran Dinh Thiet; Cao Hong Phuc; Do Thanh Hoa; Do Ngoc Anh; Nguyen Ngoc Tuan

doi:10.3855/jidc.22574

Human subcutaneous sparganosis caused by Spirometra erinaceieuropaei in Vietnam

Authors

Le Van Hai Department of Military Field Surgery, Military Hospital 103, Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1607-9193
Lam Van Lenh Department of Military Field Surgery, Military Hospital 103, Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Dang Thanh Chung Department of Pathology – Forensic Medicine, 103 Military Hospital, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2376-1665
Pham Van Thinh Department of Pathology – Forensic Medicine, 103 Military Hospital, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8281-9463
Nguyen Thu Hien Department of Pathology – Forensic Medicine, 103 Military Hospital, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tran Dinh Thiet Centre of Oncology, Military Hospital 103, Vietnam Military Medical University, Ha Noi, Vietnam
Cao Hong Phuc Department of Military Occupational Medicine, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4880-5241
Do Thanh Hoa Emergency Department, Military Central Hospital 108, Hanoi, Vietnam
Do Ngoc Anh Department of Medical Parasitology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6086-7659
Nguyen Ngoc Tuan Department of Medical Immunology, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3020-5736

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.22574

Keywords:

Subcutaneous sparganosis, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, human, Vietnam, case report

Abstract

Introduction: Human sparganosis is a rare zoonotic disease caused by Spirometra spp. To our knowledge, this is the second documented case of human subcutaneous sparganosis in Vietnam, following the first case reported in 1995.

Case Presentation: A rare case of human subcutaneous sparganosis caused by Spirometra erinaceieuropaei was detected in Vietnam on April 27, 2023, using morphological and molecular methods. The source of the infection is presumed to be associated with the consumption of raw vegetables and frog hotpot.

Conclusions: This case highlights the diagnostic value of molecular tools and suggests potential shifts in transmission patterns in urban Vietnam.

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Published

2026-09-30

How to Cite

Hai LV, Lenh LV, Chung DT, Thinh PV, Hien NT, Thiet TD, Phuc CH, Hoa DT, Anh DN, Ngoc Tuan N (2026) Human subcutaneous sparganosis caused by Spirometra erinaceieuropaei in Vietnam. J Infect Dev Ctries 20:1403–1407. doi: 10.3855/jidc.22574

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Issue

Vol. 20 No. 09: September 2026

Section

Case Reports

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