Pentastomes

Pentastomes are Arthropods considered to be a class, the Pentastomidae. They are worm-like in appearance with no appendages and look similar to some arthropods. There are two orders with several families. In one of these, the adult pentasomids occur in serpents and immature stages occur in a variety of mammals. In the other, typified by Linguatula serrata, the adults parasitize the nasopharynx of canids. The eggs of this parasite transverse the gut and are eliminated in the hosts feces. The eggs, usually found on contaminated vegetation or in water, serve as the source of infection. Larvae migrate through host tissue and establish as nymphs in lymph nodes, digestive glands, etc. Canids become infected by eating these hosts. In many parts of the world, canid infection rates approach 50%.

Linguatula is zoonotic and it is the nymphal stage that can infect man. Infections result from eating raw glandular material of infected cattle, sheep, goats, etc. (a delicacy in some Near East and central European countries). Infections in man are established in the nasopharynx. At present there is no treatment for either human or canine pentastomiasis although Ivermectin may have promise.

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