The first case of human infestation with Linguatula serrata in Kermanshah province

Linguatula serrata is a cosmopolitan organism belonging to the Phylum Pentastomida. Humans may act as an intermediate (Halzoun syndrome) or accidental definitive host of this parasite, manifesting the nasopharyngeal or visceral form. Linguatulosis occurs accidentally in human by ingestion of raw or undercooked visceral tissues of sheep, goat, camel, and other herbivores. This is the first report of Halzoun syndrome in Kermanshah province. In this case report, a 34-year-old man, from Salas-o-babajani district infested with this parasite was presented.

Clinical signs and symptoms included pricking sensation in throat, coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge, which started 2-3 hours after eating undercooked goat liver. An organism in about 8 mm length was isolated from his pharyngeal discharge. The sample was examined in the pparasitology llaboratory of Kermanshah school of medicine. The results of analysis showed that this organism was the nymph of L. The serrata had a mouth surrounded by four hooks and a segmented body with small hooks. The patient was treated using oral anti histamines and gargling and nasal washing with saline solution. So, it is recommended that physicians consider L. Serrata infestation in patients with complaints such as pharyngitis accompanied by pharyngeal pain, coughing, sneezing and vomiting.