• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.263-267
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• 2012

The present study was performed to describe 2 human cases infected by the horsehair worm, Parachordodes sp., in Japan. Two gordiid worms were collected in the vomit and excreta of an 80-year-old woman in November 2009 in Kyoto city, and in the mouth of 1-year-old boy in December 2009 in Nara city, Japan, respectively. Both worms were males having bifurcated posterior ends and male gonads in cross sectional specimens. They were identified as Parachordodes sp. (Nematomorpha: Chordodidae) based on the characteristic morphologies of cross sections and areoles in the cuticle. DNA analysis on 18S rRNA partial sequence arrangements was also carried out and both worms were assumed to be close to the genus Paragordionus based on tree analysis, and far from Gordius sp. which has already been reported in humans in Japan. DNA sequencing of the Parachordodes worm does not appear on the database; therefore, more information on the gene sequences of the genus Parachordodes from humans, animals, or intermediates is required.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2003

One new species of horsehair worms (Nematomorpha) from Korea, Poruchordodes megareolatus, is described. The specimen is reported from the human urinary system. The significance of this and other reports from the urinary system is discussed. The characteristics of the new species are clusters of a small type of cuticular structures, the areoles, which are associated with a second type of areoles, the large megareoles. Another character unique for the genus Parachordodes is the fusion of rows of cuticular bristles on the ventral side anterior of the cloacal opening.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 1992

The present study of hourse-hair worms was based on the materials collected from 17 areas in Korea during the period from October 1986 to June 1992. As a result the identified Korean horse-hair worms consist of 2 species in 1 genus. One is new species, Gordius lineatus n. sp. and the other, Gordius robustus Leidy, 1851 is newly recorded in South Korea. Total 6 species in 2 genera are now listed for the gordioidean fauna of Korea.