E-ISSN 2218-6050 | ISSN 2226-4485
 

Case Report


Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview

Veronica Marchetti, Fabio Macchioni, Eleonora Gori, Luigi Venco, Roberto Amerigo Papini.


Cited By:3

Abstract
Background:
Linguatula serrata is a pentastomid zoonotic parasite with worldwide distribution. Although some cases of L. serrata infection have been reported in dogs, the epidemiology of this parasite remains largely unknown in developed countries. In recent years, canine linguatulosis has been repeatedly linked to cases of imported infections. This study aims to focus attention on this uncommon parasite through the presentation of a case report and an overview of the literature.
Case Description:
A 1-year-old intact female Borzoi imported from Romania to Italy sneezed spontaneously a worm-like parasite specimen. Morphological and molecular diagnosis identified the parasite as a female of the zoonotic pentastomid L. serrata (so-called European tongue worm) that lives in the nasopharyngeal tract of canids. Eggs of Linguatula were detected in the faeces. Molecular identification (99-100% homology) was based on DNA extraction, PCR of a 700-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, and alignment with BLAST analysis. Due to the possibility of other adult or juvenile specimens of the parasite still occurring in the dog, a treatment attempt with a combination of febantel/pyrantel/praziquantel was made. No parasite eggs were detected in fecal samples after the drug was administered. Endoscopy confirmed the absence of adult parasites and slight pathological changes. A follow-up examination conducted three months after the treatment did not reveal any clinical and laboratory abnormalities.
Conclusion:
L. serrata appears to be currently prevalent in some European countries, but there are no recent extensive studies on the prevalence of canine linguatulosis, so the parasite frequently remains undetected and unreported in dogs as the diagnosis is often overlooked. Parasites not commonly found such as L. serrata can become increasingly prevalent and may be detected in imported dogs. Therefore, veterinarians must be aware of the possible presence of uncommon and exotic pathogens in these dogs, be able to recognize the relevant clinical signs, and diagnose the infection quickly. This will improve the prognosis in individual dogs, reduces the risk of possible public health implications, and reduces the risk of uncommon and exotic pathogens establishing new endemic foci.

Key words: Linguatula serrata, Linguatulosis, Imported dogs, Romania, Italy


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Marchetti V, FM, Gori E, LV, Papini RA. Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview. Open Vet J. 2023; 13(8): 1044-1055. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12


Web Style

Marchetti V, FM, Gori E, LV, Papini RA. Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=146376 [Access: November 07, 2024]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Marchetti V, FM, Gori E, LV, Papini RA. Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview. Open Vet J. 2023; 13(8): 1044-1055. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Marchetti V, FM, Gori E, LV, Papini RA. Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview. Open Vet J. (2023), [cited November 07, 2024]; 13(8): 1044-1055. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12



Harvard Style

Marchetti, V., , . F. M., Gori, . E., , . L. V. & Papini, . R. A. (2023) Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview. Open Vet J, 13 (8), 1044-1055. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12



Turabian Style

Marchetti, Veronica, Fabio Macchioni, Eleonora Gori, Luigi Venco, and Roberto Amerigo Papini. 2023. Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview. Open Veterinary Journal, 13 (8), 1044-1055. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12



Chicago Style

Marchetti, Veronica, Fabio Macchioni, Eleonora Gori, Luigi Venco, and Roberto Amerigo Papini. "Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview." Open Veterinary Journal 13 (2023), 1044-1055. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Marchetti, Veronica, Fabio Macchioni, Eleonora Gori, Luigi Venco, and Roberto Amerigo Papini. "Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview." Open Veterinary Journal 13.8 (2023), 1044-1055. Print. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Marchetti, V., , . F. M., Gori, . E., , . L. V. & Papini, . R. A. (2023) Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida: Linguatulidae) infection in a paucisymptomatic greyhound imported from Romania to Italy: A case report and literature overview. Open Veterinary Journal, 13 (8), 1044-1055. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2023.v13.i8.12