Global status of neglected human Linguatula infection: a systematic review of published case reports

Tabaripour, Rabeeh; Keighobadi, Masoud; Sharifpour, Ali; Azadeh, Hossein; Shokri, Azar; Banimostafavi, Elham Sadat; Fakhar, Mahdi; Abedi, Soodeh

doi:10.1007/s00436-021-07272-y

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In the liver, L. serrata parasitism evolves asymptomatically, and in the eye, the L. serrata infection is manifested with redness of the eyes and face, pain and progressive loss of vision [ 14 , 20 , 41 , 43 ]. Infection is likewise considered a foodborne disease in the Middle East and Asian countries [ 41 , 44 , 45 ], as it is associated with the consumption of insufficiently cooked meat from infected domestic and wild herbivores, mainly camels and cattle, as these animals are an important source of food in Islamic countries [ 46 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the Tongue Worm, Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida), Identified from Hares (Lepus europaeus) in Romania

Jitea,

Imre,

Florea

et al. 2023

IJMS

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Linguatula serrata (Frölich, 1789) is a widespread parasite known as the tongue worm belonging to the family Linguatulidae. The adult form of the parasite is usually located in the upper respiratory tract of domestic and wild carnivores while the larval forms are located in the visceral organs of intermediate hosts (various herbivorous mammals). Twenty-four European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) were examined in this study, of which two were positive with L. serrata nymphs. The collected nymphs were examined morphologically using electron-microscopic analysis and molecularly by amplification of 18S rRNA and COX1 genes. Lung tissue samples were also collected and histopathological examination was performed. Histopathological examination revealed the following lesions: generalized inflammatory oedema, granulomas with necrosis, calcification and fibrosis in the bronchial tree. The results of molecular sequencing for L. serrata specimens collected from the European brown hares are deposited in GenBank. This study presents the first report on Linguatula serrata nymphs collected from L. europaeus in Romania, using molecular and morphological characterization simultaneously.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the Tongue Worm, Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida), Identified from Hares (Lepus europaeus) in Romania

Jitea,

Imre,

Florea

et al. 2023

IJMS

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“…than those from visible and obvious fecal sources [14,15], so that the contaminated fur may even represent a potential risk for the owners of infected dogs. The infestation is also considered a food-borne disease in the Middle East and Asian countries [5,16,17] because it is associated with the consumption of poorly cooked meat from infested domestic herbivores, mainly camels and cattle, since these animals are an important source of food in Islamic countries [18,19]. Recent studies conducted on domestic sheep have shown that the average positivity rate among tested animals is about 15% and 5% in Iran [20] and Turkey [21], respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Humans can serve as accidental intermediate hosts when they ingest eggs (visceral linguatulosis), from which parasitic larvae exit and migrate on viscera. Sometimes, they may act as aberrant final hosts by eating active nymphs in infested poorly cooked animal entrails, leading to the development of a nasopharyngeal form known as Halzoun/Marrara syndrome in African, central Asiatic, and eastern Mediterranean countries [2][3][4][5]. In fact, a relatively high presence of immature forms of the parasite was reported from endemic areas in the viscera of slaughtered animals, mainly in the mesenteric lymph, liver, lung, and spleen of domestic ruminants and camels [3,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linguatula serrata (Fröhlich, 1789) in Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) from Italy: A Neglected Zoonotic Parasite

et al. 2022

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Linguatula serrata, Frohlich, 1789, is a cosmopolitan zoonotic worm-like parasite of carnivores and other vertebrates including herbivores and omnivores. The adult form of the parasite typically inhabits the upper respiratory system, nares, and frontal sinuses of dogs, wolves, and cats. Infective eggs may be spread by sneezing, nasal secretions, and stool. The immature stages of the parasite are localized in the visceral organs of intermediated hosts, usually ruminants or rodents, and they are orally transmitted to predators during the ingestion of infested viscera. This paper reports the morphological identification and the molecular characterization of L. serrata specimens collected from a gray wolf in the Apulia region (southern Italy) and it also provides epidemiological information on this rarely reported zoonosis.

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“…are known to be pathogenic for both definitive and intermediate hosts (Godara et al 2013;Shamsi et al 2018). They are also commonly reported from humans (Tabaripour et al 2021). Despite their veterinary and medical significance, the taxonomy and classification of these parasites have been confusing and often contradictory (Christoffersen and de Assis 2013;Poore 2012) which, along with the worldwide shortage of taxonomists, has resulted in difficulties in specifically and accurately identifying these parasites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

28S rRNA sequences for Linguatula spp.

et al. 2022

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Identification of specimens belonging to the genus Linguatula (Pentastomida) is relatively easy due to their unique morphology. However, differentiation between species of Linguatula can be challenging for several reasons, including considerable differences between different developmental stages of the parasite within and between species. Currently, 18S rRNA and Cox1 sequences are the only available comparable sequences in GenBank, but recent research has discussed the utility of 28S rRNA for pentastomid phylogenetics. This study presents 28S rRNA gene sequences for two members of the genus Linguatula. Sequences of 28S rRNA were successfully obtained from well-identified samples of L.serrata (collected in Australia) and L.nuttalli (collected in South Africa), with voucher specimens. Phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rRNA region showed 6% difference between L.serrata and L.nuttalli, with low levels of intraspecific variation. In comparison, 18S rRNA and Cox1 sequences from the same specimens showed 0.23% and 13% interspecific differences, respectively. The results of this study show that 28S rRNA has greater genetic diversity to allow for improved differentiation between species of Linguatula than 18S rRNA but is on par with Cox1. Records that do not provide adequate morphological or molecular data to justify independent specific diagnoses must be regarded cautiously, and the need for continued research on species of Linguatula, using a combined morphological and molecular analysis, across a number of different hosts, development stages, geographical regions and molecular markers is highlighted.

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Global status of neglected human Linguatula infection: a systematic review of published case reports

Cited by 4 publications

References 21 publications

Characterization of the Tongue Worm, Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida), Identified from Hares (Lepus europaeus) in Romania

Characterization of the Tongue Worm, Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida), Identified from Hares (Lepus europaeus) in Romania

Linguatula serrata (Fröhlich, 1789) in Gray Wolf (Canis lupus) from Italy: A Neglected Zoonotic Parasite

28S rRNA sequences for Linguatula spp.

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