H. Tajik1, M. Tavassoli2, H. Khani3 and S. Javadi4
Department of Food Hygiene1, Department of Pathobiology2, Department of Clinical Sciences4,
College of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, P O. Box 1177, Urmia, Iran. Private Practitioner3
ABSTRACT
One hundred and thirty eight slaughtered camels were investigated for Linguatula serrata infection in Iran. Samples from lungs, mesenteric lymph nodes and livers were examined macroscopically and liver samples were studied by digestion method. The results showed that mesenteric lymph nodes of 103 camels (75%), lungs of 41(29.7 %) and livers of 42 (30.4 %) camels were infected with Linguatula serrata nymphs. Fifty five out of 75 females (73.3%) and 48 out of 63 males (76.2%) were found to be positive to Linguatula serrata. High rate of infection in mesenteric lymph nodes of the camels indicate careful inspection of carcasses to find out Linguatula serrata infection. The maximum and minimum numbers of parasites in lymph nodes were 46 and 1, respectively. Infection of the offal of camels underlines the zoonotic importance of the disease, whereas consumption of raw or under-cooked camel livers is not unusual in some places of Iran.
Key words: Camel, halzoun, Iran, Linguatula serrata
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