Linguatula serrataTongue Worm in Human Eye, Austria

Abstract

Linguatula serrata, the so-called tongue worm, is a worm-like, bloodsucking parasite belonging to the Pentastomida group. Infections with L. serrata tongue worms are rare in Europe. We describe a case of ocular linguatulosis in central Europe and provide molecular data on L. serrata tongue worms.

Electrophoretic pattern of Linguatula serrata larva isolated goat mesenteric lymph node

“…Humans may be infected with linguatula either by ingestion of nymphs of L. serrata resulting in a condition called nasopharyngeal linguatulosis or Halzoun syndrome or by ingestion of infective eggs which develop in internal organs resulting in visceral linguatulosis (Dincer 1992). Human infection via consumption of raw or under-cooked liver and lymph nodes has been reported from Africa, South-East Asia and the Middle East (Koehsler et al 2011). The clinical signs of Halzoun syndrome include pharyngitis, salivation, dysphagia and coughing.…”

“…Disease due to infection with this parasite in humans is more likely to cause pharyngitis, nausea and vomiting, sore and itchy throat, cough, phlegm and runny nose (Koehsler et al 2011). Diagnosis in final host will be done by clinical signs and separating of the parasite eggs in feces, nasal secretions and animal's saliva.…”

“…The clinical signs of Halzoun syndrome include pharyngitis, salivation, dysphagia and coughing. In the case of visceral linguatulosis, the infection generally remains asymptomatic (Koehsler et al 2011).…”

Prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in slaughtered sheep from Tehran province, Iran

“…Therefore, it is crucial to improve preventive measures to reduce the rate of infection in ruminants as well as to prevent transmission of the infection from ruminants to other animals and humans. For instance, more attention is required when inspecting the internal organs of slaughtered ruminants especially mesenteric lymph nodes in the slaughterhouses of Iran in connection with the several reports for human linguatulosis (Koehsler et al, 2011;Hamid et al, 2012;Yazdani et al, 2014).…”

“…Humans serve as either intermediate or final hosts and can be infected by both adult and nymph form of parasite; however, the infection with the former is rare. The two forms of the infection are: visceral linguatulosis, following consumption of water, vegetables or fruits contaminated with the eggs, and nasopharyngeal linguatulosis, known also as Halzoun or Marrara syndrome, following consumption of raw or undercooked infected viscera of infected animals (Shekarforoush et al, 2004;David et al, 2006;Tajik et al, 2006;Koehsler et al, 2011;Pirali Kheirabadi et al, 2014;Yazdani et al, 2014;Hajimohammadi et al, 2017).…”