Prevalence of Linguatula serrata Infection in Domestic BovidsSlaughtered in Tabriz Abattoir, Iran

Background: linguatulosis is a rare zoonotic parasitic infection, in which human plays the role of both definitiveand intermediate host and can be occasionally infected. this study determines the status of infection in livestockand its potential risk to men in the northwestern province of azarbaijan-e-sharghi, iran.methods: in a cross-sectional study from june 2007 to june 2008, 800 slaughtered animals including 400cattle and 400 buffaloes from tabriz abattoir in azarbaijan-e-sharghi province were randomly selectedand examined for l. serrata nymphs. after primary macroscopical inspection, all liver and lung sampleswere cut to small pieces, treated with a tissue digestion method and checked macroscopically and microscopicallyfor free or encapsulated nymphs.results: out of 800 animals, 3 (0.38%) were found to be infected with l. serrata nymphs and the prevalenceof infection in cattle and buffaloes was determined to be 0.25% and 0.5%, respectively.conclusion: linguatula infection occurs as an endemic zoonosis in the study area and has an active transmission life cycle.