Prevalence of Linguatula serrata Infection in Domestic Bovids Slaughtered in Tabriz Abattoir, Iran

• Published in: Iranian journal of parasitology Vol. 4; no. 3
• Main Authors: M Hami, SR Naddaf, I Mobedi, M Zare-Bidaki, SS Athari, B Hajimohammadi, G Anaraki-Mohammadi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 01-09-2009
• Subjects: Bovid; Iran; Linguatula serrata; Linguatulosis
• ISSN: 1735-7020; 2008-238X

Background:  Linguatulosis is a rare zoonotic parasitic infection, in which human plays the role of both defini­tive and intermediate host and can be occasionally infected. This study determines the status of infection in live­stock and its po­tential risk to men in the northwestern province of Azarbaijan-e-Sharghi, Iran. Methods: In a cross-sectional study from June 2007 to June 2008, 800 slaughtered animals including 400 cattle and 400 buffaloes from Tabriz abattoir in Azarbaijan-e-Sharghi Province were randomly selected and examined for L. serrata nymphs. After primary macroscopical inspection, all liver and lung samples were cut to small pieces, treated with a tissue digestion method and checked macroscopically and micro­scopically for free or encapsulated nymphs. Results: Out of 800 animals, 3 (0.38%) were found to be infected with L. serrata nymphs and the preva­lence of infection in cattle and buffaloes was determined to be 0.25% and 0.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Linguatula infection occurs as an endemic zoonosis in the study area and has an active transmission life cycle.