Prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in slaughtered goats in Isfahan province

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Linguatula serrata, a tongue worm, is an<br />aberrant cosmopolitan parasite, which inhabits the canine<br />respiratory system (final host). The discharged eggs infect many<br />plant feeder, including ruminants and human being, that produce<br />visceral and nasopharyngeal linguatulosis which is known as<br />Marrara syndrome in man. OBJECTIVES:In the current study, the<br />prevalence rate of infection with L. serrata nymphs in<br />mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) of slaughtered<br />goats was investigated by cutting in MLNs and observing them<br />in Isfahan Province, Iran. METHODS: The MLNs of 620<br />slaughtered goats, including 197 females and 423 males, after the<br />preparation of the lymph nodes, were examined for L. serrata<br />nymphs by cutting them longitudinally and testing them by using<br />a dissecting microscope for L. serrata nymphs. Then, in the<br />suspected cases, the samples were digested by pepsin and<br />hydrochloric acid and were examined for presence of L. serrata<br />nymphs. Goats were categorized into four age groups, including<br />< 1.5 year, 1.5 to 2.5 years, 2.5 to 3.5 years, and > 3.5 years.<br />RESULTS:The results showed that 54.35% of the examined goats<br />were infected with L. serrata. Sex had no significant effect on the<br />prevalence rate of this parasite in goats. CONCLUSIONS: Ahigh<br />prevalence rate of infection in goats suggests a possible similar<br />high rate of infection in other animals and man in the investigated<br />area, which emphasizes undertaking strict control measures to<br />reduce the risk of zoonotic outbreaks.