ZOONOTIC POTENTIAL OF VISCERAL LINGUATULLOSIS

*Hassen A. H. Bennasir, Abdul Qayoom Mir and Qurratul Ain Maqbool

ABSTRACT

Visceral linguatullosis is a parasitic infection caused by Linguatula serrata. Recovery of the nymphal stages of the parasite from crossbred Holstein Friesian cattle is reported in this study. White colored tongue shaped nymphal stage of L. serrata were observed in the mesenteric lymph nodes which were edematous with fluid flowing out on incision. The parasites actively wriggled into the parenchyma of the nodes. On the basis of predilection site and the structural features as observed under electron microscopy, the parasite was identified as nymphal stage of L. serrata and the finding appears to be important in the context of its zoonotic potential as the humans may act both intermediate as well as the final host.

Keywords: Linguatula serrate.