Tongue worm in an untravelled dog in the UK

Campbell, Emma; Jones, Alice

doi:10.1002/vetr.2979

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…Furthermore, the dog was regularly fed with BARF both during the stay in a Romanian kennel for an unspecified period and immediately after the adoption in Italy (3 months before the consultation). The risk of transmission of foodborne bacteria and parasites in dogs feeding on this diet and in humans sharing the same environment has been well documented ( Strohmeyer et al ., 2006 ; van Bree et al ., 2018 ; Davies et al ., 2019 ; Bottari et al ., 2020 ), including two case reports of L. serrata in dogs regularly fed with BARF ( Berberich et al ., 2022 ; Campbel and Jones, 2023 ). Taking into consideration that the prepatent period of linguatulosis in dogs is about 6–7 months ( Nagamori et al ., 2019 ) and that the infection was in the patent phase 3 months after the arrival in Italy as eggs were seen in feces, an autochthonous infection taken place in Italy is really unlikely and it is very evident that the dog acquired the L. serrata infection in Romania, or during the period of free-roaming lifestyle by feeding on infected viscera, muscles, and offal from infected intermediate hosts found in the field, or during the stay in a shelter by feeding on BARF.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many studies raise the question of whether BARF can be considered an appropriate type of diet from a health ( Strohmeyer et al ., 2006 ; van Bree et al ., 2018 ; Davies et al ., 2019 ; Bottari et al ., 2020 ) and nutritional point of view ( Mack and Kienzle, 2016 ). The findings of this case report and those of two previous reports ( Berberich et al ., 2022 ; Campbel and Jones, 2023 ) underline that there is a real risk in regularly feeding dogs with homemade BARF recipes, as these can be accidentally prepared with raw meat contaminated by L. serrata infective nymphs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reported prevalence values in dogs range from 37.45% in owned dogs in Nigeria ( Oluwasina et al ., 2014 ) to 76.5% in stray dogs in Iran ( Oryan et al ., 2008 ) and in wild canids range from 1.3% in foxes ( Hodžić et al ., 2016 ) to 67.6% in dingos ( Shamsi et al ., 2017 ). Moreover, some cases of occasional infections have been reported, sometimes as autochthonous cases ( Principato et al ., 1994 ; Paoletti et al ., 2003 ; Bordicchia et al ., 2014 ; Ioniță and Mitrea, 2016 ; Campbel and Jones, 2023 ) but more commonly as cases detected in dogs moved from a country to another country ( Globokar Vrhovec et al ., 2005 ; Mitchell et al ., 2016 ; Villedieu et al ., 2017 ; Springer et al ., 2018 ; Thomas, 2018 ; Nagamori et al ., 2019 ; Sievänen et al ., 2021 ; Berberich et al ., 2022 ; Macrelli and Mackintosh, 2022 ). This has led some authors to hypothesize that L. serrata infection might be considered an emerging parasitosis ( Berberich et al ., 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview

Marchetti,

Macchioni,

Gori

et al. 2023

Open Vet J

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Background: Linguatula serrata is a pentastomid zoonotic parasite with worldwide distribution. Although some cases of L. serrata infection have been reported in dogs, the epidemiology of this parasite remains largely unknown in developed countries. In recent years, canine linguatulosis has been repeatedly linked to cases of imported infections. This study aims to focus attention on this uncommon parasite through the presentation of a case report and an overview of the literature. Case Description: A 1-year-old intact female Borzoi imported from Romania to Italy sneezed spontaneously a worm-like parasite specimen. Morphological and molecular diagnosis identified the parasite as a female of the zoonotic pentastomid L. serrata (so-called European tongue worm) that lives in the nasopharyngeal tract of canids. Eggs of Linguatula were detected in the faeces. Molecular identification (99-100% homology) was based on DNA extraction, PCR of a 700-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, and alignment with BLAST analysis. Due to the possibility of other adult or juvenile specimens of the parasite still occurring in the dog, a treatment attempt with a combination of febantel/pyrantel/praziquantel was made. No parasite eggs were detected in fecal samples after the drug was administered. Endoscopy confirmed the absence of adult parasites and slight pathological changes. A follow-up examination conducted three months after the treatment did not reveal any clinical and laboratory abnormalities. Conclusion: L. serrata appears to be currently prevalent in some European countries, but there are no recent extensive studies on the prevalence of canine linguatulosis, so the parasite frequently remains undetected and unreported in dogs as the diagnosis is often overlooked. Parasites not commonly found such as L. serrata can become increasingly prevalent and may be detected in imported dogs. Therefore, veterinarians must be aware of the possible presence of uncommon and exotic pathogens in these dogs, be able to recognize the relevant clinical signs, and diagnose the infection quickly. This will improve the prognosis in individual dogs, reduces the risk of possible public health implications, and reduces the risk of uncommon and exotic pathogens establishing new endemic foci.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview

Marchetti,

Macchioni,

Gori

et al. 2023

Open Vet J

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Practical approach to testing the imported dog for parasites

Wright

2024

In Practice

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Background: Despite the Covid‐19 pandemic and Brexit, the number of dogs being imported into the UK remains high. At the same time there are a variety of factors driving global parasite distributions, increasing the likelihood that imported pets will be infected with exotic parasites. Therefore, early diagnosis of exotic infections is important, both in dogs with clinical signs but also those that are subclinical carriers. Detecting infections allows us to minimise the potential zoonotic exposure, plan for treatment of any pathogens present and maintain UK biosecurity.Aim of the article: This article summarises the clinical signs and testing options for the key parasites that imported dogs may be infected with.

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Intranasal Linguatula serrata (tongue worm) in canids and vulpids can be detected using computed tomography

Birckhead,

Jenkins,

Shamsi

et al. 2024

Vet Radiology Ultrasound

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Linguatula serrata (“tongue worm”) is a zoonotic intranasal parasite found globally in wild dogs, free‐ranging dogs, some domestic dogs, and vulpids. Since there are no sensitive tests currently available, infections are underdiagnosed. This is a pilot observational prospective study aimed at determining whether nasal linguatulosis can be diagnosed using CT. The secondary aims were to evaluate radiography, rhinoscopy, and nasal egg swabs as methods in the diagnosis of tongue worms. Fifty‐four wild canids and three vulpids euthanased by gunshot were sourced from pest‐control officers. Cadaver heads were subjected to helical CT examination, nasal‐swabbed for tongue worm eggs, and necropsied. Radiographs and rhinoscopy were performed on cadavers suspected to be infected based on preliminary CT examination. Tongue worms were retrieved at necropsy in 25 dogs and one fox. CT findings in animals with no nasal cavity ballistic damage were reviewed in six infected dogs and one infected fox. Adult female tongue worms were identified in 4 of 6 dogs and 1 of 1 fox as long, tubular, slightly heterogeneously attenuating structures in the mid to caudal nasal cavities. They were not clearly visible in CT scans when surrounded by nasal fluid, and small parasites (male and immature females) were not discernible. Radiographic findings were mild and nonspecific. One tongue worm was detected in 1 of 12 dogs examined rhinoscopically. Tongue worm eggs were found in swabs from 7 of 25 dogs. While small tongue worms could not be detected with CT, CT proved to be a useful diagnostic method for visualizing adult female tongue worms.

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Tongue worm in an untravelled dog in the UK

Cited by 5 publications

References 4 publications

Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview

Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview

Practical approach to testing the imported dog for parasites

Intranasal Linguatula serrata (tongue worm) in canids and vulpids can be detected using computed tomography

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