Linguatulosis
Encyclopedia
Linguatulosis is a condition associated with the organism Linguatula serrata
.
The usual final host for Linguatula serrata
is a carnivore, like a dog or jackal, and the species is sometimes known as the dog tongueworm for this reason .
More generally, linguatulosis can be considered a form of "pentastomiasis", which refers to all diseases caused by pentastomids, including porocephaliasis
.
This disease is often accidentally identified during autopsy
because of its asymptomatic effect on the body.
Human infestation by Linguatula was historically more commonplace than is sometimes realised. Human liver autopsies in Berlin from the early part of the 20th century revealed an infection rate of nearly 12% .
and vomiting are verifiable indications as well as sneezing, bleeding, dyspnea
, and inflammation.
. Submaxillary and cervical lymph nodes sometimes enlarge and the neck is swollen. Complications include abscesses in the auditory canals, facial paralysis, and enlarged tonsils producing asphyxiation. These symptoms are well recognized as a disease call “halzoun syndrome” in Lebanon
and nearby countries.
In Egypt, infected camel
s and buffalo
may also be a source of infection for dogs, which are companions of man in desert and semi-desert areas where grazing is a major profession, and in villages, where dogs are also common. Infected dogs, in turn, are a source of infection to man who may be an intermediate host .
Linguatula serrata
Linguatula serrata is a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasite, belonging to the Pentastomida, also known as tongue worms. They are wormlike parasites of the respiratory systems of vertebrates. They live in the nasopharyngeal region of mammals. Cats, dogs, foxes, and other carnivores are normal hosts of...
.
The usual final host for Linguatula serrata
Linguatula serrata
Linguatula serrata is a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasite, belonging to the Pentastomida, also known as tongue worms. They are wormlike parasites of the respiratory systems of vertebrates. They live in the nasopharyngeal region of mammals. Cats, dogs, foxes, and other carnivores are normal hosts of...
is a carnivore, like a dog or jackal, and the species is sometimes known as the dog tongueworm for this reason .
More generally, linguatulosis can be considered a form of "pentastomiasis", which refers to all diseases caused by pentastomids, including porocephaliasis
Porocephaliasis
Porocephaliasis is a condition associated with species in the closely related genera Porocephalus or Armillifer....
.
This disease is often accidentally identified during autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
because of its asymptomatic effect on the body.
Human infestation by Linguatula was historically more commonplace than is sometimes realised. Human liver autopsies in Berlin from the early part of the 20th century revealed an infection rate of nearly 12% .
Visceral and nasopharyngeal
Humans can become infected in two ways: either as an intermediate host (visceral linguatuliasis) or as an accidental final host (nasopharyngeal linguatuliasis).- In visceral linguatuliasis Linguatula eggs are sneezed or defecated out by the primary host. Normally they would be eaten by a herbivorous mammal (the intermediate host), including various domestic animals . The eggs hatch in the intestines and the resulting larvae burrow their way into the visceral cavity of the body. Here they form cysts or granulomas, typically in the liver or the lymph nodes. This can also occur in humans if the eggs are accidentally swallowed, although the victim may not be aware of the infestation and misdiagnosis as liver disease can even occur . Rarely, the larvae of both Lingulatula and Armillifer can enter the eye accidentally
- In nasopharyngeal linguatuliasis it is the encysted larvae which are consumed, usually via raw or poorly-cooked meat. Once in the stomach, the larvae become liberated from their cysts within a couple of hours and then crawl up the oesophagus and establish themselves in the nose, pharynx or lungs — holding themselves in place with the hooks flanking the mouth . Presence of the parasite can induce headaches, coughing and nasal discharge which obviously helps to spread the infection. Nasopharyngeal linguatuliasis appears to be quite prevalent throughout the Middle East where it is often known as the Halzoun syndrome after religious festivals in which infected raw meat is consumed . In Sudan nasopharyngeal linguatuliasis is known as Marrara syndrome; whereby Marrara is a popular local dish prepared from raw offal. It has been suggested that up to 20% of the population in some parts of Sudan may be affected by this syndrome at some stage of their lives .
Symptoms
It is usually asymptomatic unless the complication and infection is severe. But in some recorded cases, symptoms include nasopharyngitis accompanied by pain, itching of throat and ears. Coughing, hemoptysisHemoptysis
Hemoptysis or haemoptysis is the expectoration of blood or of blood-stained sputum from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs Hemoptysis or haemoptysis is the expectoration (coughing up) of blood or of blood-stained sputum from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs Hemoptysis or haemoptysis ...
and vomiting are verifiable indications as well as sneezing, bleeding, dyspnea
Dyspnea
Dyspnea , shortness of breath , or air hunger, is the subjective symptom of breathlessness.It is a normal symptom of heavy exertion but becomes pathological if it occurs in unexpected situations...
, and inflammation.
Transmission
Eating raw or semi-cooked infected liver or lymph nodes infected with nymphal L. serrata causes severe symptoms in the human nasopharynxNasopharynx
The nasopharynx is the uppermost part of the pharynx. It extends from the base of the skull to the upper surface of the soft palate; it differs from the oral and laryngeal parts of the pharynx in that its cavity always remains patent .-Lateral:On its lateral wall is the pharyngeal ostium of the...
. Submaxillary and cervical lymph nodes sometimes enlarge and the neck is swollen. Complications include abscesses in the auditory canals, facial paralysis, and enlarged tonsils producing asphyxiation. These symptoms are well recognized as a disease call “halzoun syndrome” in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
and nearby countries.
In Egypt, infected camel
Camel
A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as humps on its back. There are two species of camels: the dromedary or Arabian camel has a single hump, and the bactrian has two humps. Dromedaries are native to the dry desert areas of West Asia,...
s and buffalo
Water buffalo
The water buffalo is a domesticated bovid widely kept in Asia, Europe and South America.Water buffalo can also refer to:*Wild water buffalo , the wild ancestor of the domestic water buffalo...
may also be a source of infection for dogs, which are companions of man in desert and semi-desert areas where grazing is a major profession, and in villages, where dogs are also common. Infected dogs, in turn, are a source of infection to man who may be an intermediate host .