Prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in slaughtered goats in Isfahan province

Linguatula serrata, a tongue worm, is an aberrant cosmopolitan parasite, which inhabits the canine respiratory system (final host). The discharged eggs infect many plant feeder, including ruminants and human being, that produce visceral and nasopharyngeal linguatulosis which is known as Marrara syndrome in man. In the current study, the prevalence rate of infection with L. serrata nymphs in mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) of slaughtered goats was investigated by cutting in MLNs and observing them in Isfahan Province, Iran. The MLNs of 620 slaughtered goats, including 197 females and 423 males, after the preparation of the lymph nodes, were examined for L. serrata nymphs by cutting them longitudinally and testing them by using a dissecting microscope for L. serrata nymphs. Then, in the suspected cases, the samples were digested by pepsin and hydrochloric acid and were examined for presence of L. serrata nymphs. Goats were categorized into four age groups, including < 1.5 year, 1.5 to 2.5 years, 2.5 to 3.5 years, and > 3.5 years. The results showed that 54.35% of the examined goats were infected with L. serrata. Sex had no significant effect on the prevalence rate of this parasite in goats. Ahigh prevalence rate of infection in goats suggests a possible similar high rate of infection in other animals and man in the investigated area, which emphasizes undertaking strict control measures to reduce the risk of zoonotic outbreaks.