Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of Pterygodermatites peromysci have not been conducted yet, but might provide scientists with an understanding about how it causes pathology in the gastrointestinal tract of the host, as worms have been found in vitro as large as 38 mm in a host mouse with a body length size of 90 mm.

Though a scanning electron microscopy study of P. peromysci hasn’t been worked out, there do exist stereo microscope images of the morphology of the egg with a hatching third stage infectious juvenile which infect white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus, (Figure 2, source 4).

To complete this life cycle characteristic of nematodes in the family Rictulariidae, P. peromysci larvae migrates into the gastrointestinal tract, molting into a 4th stage juvenile and then into an adult.

Pterygodermatites peromysci has been discovered in Florida and in Pennsylvania primarily in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus).

[2] Geographically the infected mice have been shown to be abundant in flatwood habitats of Florida, characterized by poorly draining soils which may have standing water during rainy seasons.

Further complicating the life-cycle, but still with regard to geographical distribution, P. peromysci adults have been identified in New York as well as in Pennsylvania in flying squirrel populations.

Perhaps since the life-cycle of P. peromysci in its definitive host involves predation of crickets, parasitism in humans is not a predominant problem in countries such as the United States where consumption of insects is not a common-practice (4).

This may explain why the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has not published any online reports on human infection by P. peromysci.

The potential role of Pterygodermatites peromysci in the population dynamics of free-living mice, Peromyscus leucopus.

Scanning electron microscopy of the rare nematode species Pterygodermatites bovieri (Nematoda: Rictatuliriidae), a parasite of bats.

Complex life cycle of Pterygodermatites peromysci, a trophically transmitted parasite of the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus).