Linguatulosis

Linguatulosis is a condition associated with the organism "Linguatula serrata".
The usual final host for "Linguatula serrata" is a carnivore, like a dog or jackal, and the species is sometimes known as the dog tongueworm for this reason.
More generally, linguatulosis can be considered a form of "pentastomiasis", which refers to all diseases caused by pentastomids, including porocephaliasis.
This disease is often accidentally identified during autopsy because of its asymptomatic effect on the body.
Human infestation by "Linguatula" was historically more commonplace than is sometimes realised. Human liver autopsies in Berlin from the early part of the 20th century revealed an infection rate of nearly 12%.
Signs and symptoms.
It is usually asymptomatic unless the complication and infection is severe. But in some recorded cases, symptoms include nasopharyngitis accompanied by pain, itching of throat and ears. Coughing, hemoptysis and vomiting are verifiable indications as well as sneezing, bleeding, dyspnea, and inflammation.
Visceral and nasopharyngeal.
Humans can become infected in two ways: either as an intermediate host (visceral linguatuliasis) or as an accidental final host (nasopharyngeal linguatuliasis).
Transmission.
Eating raw or semi-cooked infected liver or lymph nodes infected with nymphal "L. serrata" causes severe symptoms in the human nasopharynx. Submaxillary and cervical lymph nodes sometimes enlarge and the neck is swollen. Complications include abscesses in the auditory canals, facial paralysis, and enlarged tonsils producing asphyxiation. These symptoms are well recognized as a disease called “halzoun syndrome” in Lebanon and nearby countries.
In Egypt, infected camels and buffalo may also be a source of infection for dogs, which are companions of man in desert and semi-desert areas where grazing is a major profession, and in villages, where dogs are also common. Infected dogs, in turn, are a source of infection to man who may be an intermediate host.
Treatment.
There is antibiotic therapy for secondary infections caused by the parasite. However, surgical removal is usually the only way to get rid of the parasites.