Syngamus laryngeus Infection (Syngamosis) with Chronic Cough

Abstract

A 26-year-old woman developed severe paroxysms of coughing after a 10-day vacation in the West Indies. Four and a half months later she expectorated a Y-shaped worm that was identified as the male and the female Syngamus laryngeus in copula; eggs were found in the sputum and tracheal washings. A review of the literature discloses 23 reported cases of syngamosis in man. All appear to be accidental infection by S. laryngeus. The life history of this worm is unknown. Human infection probably occurs via transfer of the adult forms of the parasite from contaminated vegetables to the pharynx.