investigating the prevalence of linguatula serrata infection in herbivores as intermediate hosts and carnivores as final hosts in northwest iran

Pentastomids are arthropod parasites that primarily infect canids and vulpids as definitive hosts, along with various herbivores serving as intermediate hosts. understanding the prevalence of these infections is crucial for wildlife management and public health. the study aimed to assess the prevalence of pentastomid infections in wild animals in east azerbaijan in northwest iran, focusing on species lost due to road accidents, conflicts, or diseases. samples were collected from the liver and mesenteric lymph nodes of herbivores and the nasal cavities of carnivores. the study included a variety of species (golden jackals, common foxes, jungle cats, eurasian lynx, brown bears, honey badgers, red deer, persian gazelles, wild goats, and armenian wild sheep), and the samples were obtained from animals managed by the environmental protection organization. the study included golden jackals, common foxes, jungle cats, eurasian lynx, brown bears, honey badgers, red deer, persian gazelles, wild goats, and armenian wild sheep. however, the study found no infestation with larval or adult pentastomid stages in any of the 42 samples examined. identifying the pathogens and understanding their life cycles in wildlife is essential for preventing disease outbreaks that could impact public health and domestic animals. however, the study faced limitations, including the unavailability of carcasses and difficulties in accessing protected areas, which may have affected the comprehensiveness of the findings.