Global status of neglected human Linguatula infection: a systematic review of published case reports.

Human linguatulosis is a rare but highly specialized pentastomid parasitic infection all around the world. The disease is caused by worm-like parasites which share some morphologic features of arthropods and annelids. The life cycle of Linguatula spp. is provided as an example of pentastomid biology. The adult forms of Linguatula spp. are found in the nasal passages and frontal sinuses of dogs and other canids, domestic animals, and humans. Infestation may occur in the viscera, where immature forms develop in the liver, spleen, lungs, eyes, and other organs, or in the nasopharyngeal area. This review includes previous studies on the genus Linguatula in Iran and other countries from 1940 to 2019. Considering a few reports of human infestation, a comprehensive search was performed on both English and Persian databases for publications reporting human cases all around the world. Finally, 30 papers of 62 human cases were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 25.8 years (varied from 8 to 79 years). Altogether, 41 (66.1%) and 21 (33.9%) of the patients were female and male respectively. The maximum cases (n = 25) were from Sudan. Nasopharynx was the most frequently involved organ in human cases. Our findings offer that physicians should consider the Linguatula infection in patients with complaints like unexpected dysphagia, with coughing, sneezing, and vomiting, after consuming raw/undercooked contaminated ruminant's viscera.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus BALB/c mice are more susceptible to granulomatous amoebic encephalitis: Immunohistochemical study.

Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) is a chronic, difficult to resolve infection caused by amphizoic amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba, which in most cases occurs in immunosuppressed persons or with chronic diseases such as diabetes. In this study, we describe the early events of A. culbertsoni infection of GAE in diabetic mice model. Diabetes was induced in male BALB/c mice, with a dose of streptozotocin (130 mg/kg). Healthy and diabetic mice were inoculated via intranasal with 1 × 106 trophozoites of A. culbertsoni. Then were sacrificed and fixed by perfusion at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-inoculation, the brains and nasopharyngeal meatus were processed to immunohistochemical analysis. Invasion of trophozoites in diabetic mice was significantly greater with respect to inoculated healthy mice. Trophozoites and scarce cysts were immunolocalized in respiratory epithelial adjacent bone tissue, olfactory nerve packets, Schwann cells and the epineurium base since early 24 h post-inoculation. After 48 h, trophozoites were observed in the respiratory epithelium, white matter of the brain, subcortical central cortex and nasopharyngeal associated lymphoid tissue (NALT). At 72 h, cysts and trophozoites were immunolocalized in the olfactory bulb with the presence of a low inflammatory infiltrate characterized by polymorphonuclear cells. Scarce amoebae were observed in the granular layer of the cerebellum without evidence of inflammation or tissue damage. No amoebas were observed at 96 h after inoculation, suggesting penetration to other tissues at this time. In line with this, no inflammatory infiltrate was observed in the surrounding tissues where the amoebae were immunolocalized, which could contribute to the rapid spread of infection, particularly in diabetic mice. All data suggest that trophozoites invade the tissues by separating the superficial cells, penetrating between the junctions without causing cytolytic effect in the adjacent cells and subsequently reaching the CNS, importantly, diabetes increases the susceptibility to amoebae infection, which could favor the GAE development.

Morphological and molecular identification of nasopharyngeal bot fly larvae infesting red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Austria.

Nasopharyngeal myiases are caused by larvae of bot flies (Diptera: Oestridae), which have evolved a high specificity for their hosts. Bot flies (n = 916) were collected from 137 (57.6 %) out of 238 red deer (Cervus elaphus) hunted in Vorarlberg and Tyrol (Western Austria). After being stored in 75 % ethanol, larvae were identified to species level and developmental stage using morphological and morphometric keys. Larvae were also molecularly characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and partial sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Morphological and molecular analysis allowed identification of larvae as Cephenemyia auribarbis and Pharyngomyia picta. Genetic variations were also examined within the specimens collected in both geographical locations.

Bioactivities of some essential oils against the camel nasal botfly, Cephalopina titillator.

Nasopharyngeal myiasis of camels is caused by the larvae of Cephalopina titillator. We determined the efficacy of essential oils (EOs) of pumpkin, Cucurbita maxima; lupinus, Lupinus luteus; garlic oil, Allium sativum; and peppermint, Mentha piperita, against the third larval stage of C. titillator using larval immersion tests. The positive control group was treated with ivermectin and the negative control one was treated with distilled water and few drops of Tween 80. Larvae were reared until adult emergence. The data indicated that complete larval mortalities were reached 24 h post treatment (PT) with 2 % pumpkin, 7.5 % garlic and peppermint, 30 % lupinus, and 0.15 % ivermectin. The lethal values, LC50s, were 0.20, 0.44, 0.42, 0.47, and 0.03 %, respectively. Pumpkin and ivermectin were 2 and 17 times, respectively, more effective than the other EOs. Ivermectin was seven times more intoxicating than pumpkin oil. Formation of pupae had been stopped after treatment of larvae with 2 % pumpkin, 7.5 % garlic and peppermint, 30 % lupines, and 0.04 % ivermectin. Adult emergence had been completely ceased following treatment of larvae with 0.5 % EOs and 0.04 % ivermectin. Morphological abnormalities were pronounced after treatments, and peppermint oil was the foremost cause of deformation in larvae (44 % PT with 7.5 %) and pupae (40 % PT with 2 %). Pumpkin oil (6 %) was selected to be the drug of choice for controlling C. titillator. Besides their insecticidal effects, EOs are much safer than ivermectin regarding health and environmental issues. Consequently, EOs described herein merit further study as potential nasal drench for C. titillator control.

[Miltefosine versus meglumine antimoniate in the treatment of mucosal leishmaniasis]. / Miltefosina versus antimoniato de meglumina en el tratamiento de la leishmaniasis mucosa.

The conventional treatment for tegumentary leishmaniasis is meglumine antimoniate, which needs parenteral administration, has increased therapeutic failure, and produces serious adverse effects, justifying the search for therapeutic alternatives. We report here the preliminary results of a phase II clinical trial in patients with mucosal leishmaniasis, in which the efficacy of oral miltefosine versus the antimonial compound was assessed. The evaluation of response to the treatment was performed by monitoring with nasopharyngeal video-fibroscopy, using a score of mucosal injury severity for patients at each follow-up point. We found no significant differences so far between the number of patients cured with miltefosine or conventional chemotherapy. The favorable results of this study suggest that miltefosine could be an effective and safe oral therapeutic alternative in the region.

First record of nasopharyngeal myiasis caused by Cephalopina titillator (Clark, 1816) in camel (Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus, 1758) in Uzbekistan.

Nasopharyngeal myiasis caused by the camel nasal bot, Cephalopina titillator, is very common in old world camelids and is usually found at necropsy or during meat inspection. Herein we report massive infection with C. titillator in a 9 years old female one-humped camel slaughtered on February 18, 2024 in the village of Kizil Uy, Nukus District, Republic of Karakalpakstan, northwestern Uzbekistan. A total of 69 larvae: 20 first stage larva (28.9%), 31  second stage larva (44.9%), and 18 third stage larva (26.0%) were detected in the nasal passages and pharynx of the camel. Morphological and morphometrical characters of all larval stages are illustrated and detailed in this article. To our knowledge this is the first record of camel nasal bot infestation in Uzbekistan. Future epidemiological studies are needed to shed light on the prevalence, seasonal fluctuation, clinical impact and economic burden of nasopharyngeal myiasis in dromedary camels of the country.

Cephenemyia stimulator and Hypoderma diana infection of roe deer in the Czech Republic over an 8-year period.

A survey of naso-pharyngeal and subcutaneous myiasis affecting roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was conducted in the Czech Republic over an 8-year period (1999-2006). A total of 503 bucks and 264 does from six hunting localities were examined. The sampling area comprised predominantly agricultural lowlands and a mountain range primarily covered by forest. Since 1997, the deer have been treated each winter across the board with ivermectin (150 mg/kg, CERMIX® pulvis, Biopharm, CZ). Parasites found were the larvae of Hypoderma diana and Cephenemyia stimulator. There were no significant differences in warble fly infection among captured animals in the individual hunting localities. Overall, 146 (28.8%) of 503 animals (bucks) were infected with Cephenemyia stimulator larvae; body size of the second instar larva reached 13-18 mm. The prevalence ranged from 16.1 to 42.9% per year, and the mean intensity from 6 to 11 larvae per animal. Additionally, a total of 264 roe deer (does) were examined for H. diana larvae, and 77 (29.1%) were found to be positive; body size of the second instar larva reached 17 mm. The prevalence ranged from 18.8 to 50.0% per year, and the mean intensity from 13 to 22 larvae per animal. The results showed that the bot flies, Cephenemyia stimulator as well as H. diana, are common parasites in roe deer in the Czech Republic, and that through the help of treatment (ivermectin), it is possible to keep parasite levels low. The body weights of infected and non-infected H. diana deer did not differ significantly.

Recurrent lacrimal sac rhinosporidiosis involving the periocular subcutaneous tissues, nasolacrimal duct and nasopharynx.

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic infection caused by the organism Rhinosporidium seeberi. It is endemic in parts of southern India and Sri Lanka, but rarely seen outside these areas. The infection predominantly affects the nasal mucosa; however, it can also affect the ocular surface and adnexa. We present a case of rhinosporidiosis initially involving the lacrimal sac, with recurrence in the periocular subcutaneous tissues, nasolacrimal duct and nasopharynx.

[Leeches of the upper aerodigestive tract]. / Sangsues des voies aérodigestives supérieures.

INTRODUCTION: The leech is an aquatic worm living in fresh water, especially in tropical areas. It may be found exceptionally in the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) after consumption of spring water or water from natural wells, after swimming in still waters (lakes and dams). The author's objective was to study epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutive aspects of this infestation. PATIENT AND METHODS: This prospective 2-year study was carried out from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008. We included all patients consulting at the emergency unit presenting with leeches in the UADT. RESULTS: Twenty patients living in rural settings were included: 16 children, mostly boys (sex ratio 3:1). All cases were recorded during the summer season, with 14 cases due to consumption of fresh water and six due to swimming in still waters. The delay between infestation and onset of symptoms ranged from 2 to 15 days. Leeches were found in the oropharynx (six cases), the nasopharynx (five cases), the hypopharynx (six cases), and the glottis (three cases). An anemia syndrome was noted in four patients. All parasites were removed. All patients were given local antiseptics and analgesics. Patients with anemia were given iron supplementation. The outcome was favorable for all patients. DISCUSSION: UADT leeches are not uncommon in Morocco. The infestation is usually observed in the summer. Symptoms vary according to UADT localization. The diagnosis should be made rapidly to prevent complications. Whatever the localization, removing the parasite is difficult. In laryngeal localizations induction general anesthesia is recommended, without intubation. Evolution after treatment is rapidly favorable, with complete disappearance of symptoms.

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analyses of Oestrus ovis Larvae Causing Human Naso-pharyngeal Myiasis Based on CO1 Barcode Sequences

Objective: The identification and molecular characterization of the bot fly larvae from an infected human with naso-pharyngeal myiasis in Turkey were aimed in this study. Methods: A total of 8 bot fly larvae from a 49-year-old woman with naso-pharyngeal infection in Adana province constituted the materials of this study. Morphological identification was performed on the larvae according to described keys. The barcode region of the CO1 gene from the genomic DNA extracts of the larvae was amplified and sequence analyses were utilized. Haplotype and genetic distance analyses were performed in CO1 sequences and a phylogenetic tree was built revealing phylogenetic relationships. Results: All bot fly larvae were identified as second stage larvae of Oestrus ovis in terms of morphologic characteristics. There was no polymorphism among the CO1 sequences of all isolates leading to detection of a single novel haplotype. The newly characterized haplotype in this study clustered with the O. ovis haplotypes from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Brazil, and Iran in a monophyletic clade with an overall identity of 99.5%. Interspecific genetic differences among the subfamilies of Oestridae were in the range of 19.8% to 30.8%. Conclusion: This study has provided the first molecular characterization data on O. ovis larvae from an accidental human host in Turkey based on CO1 barcode sequences.

Case Report: Unusual Presentation of Pharyngeal Mucosal Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis.

Mucosal leishmaniasis (ML) affects predominantly the nose and occurs usually weeks or months after the cure of the primary cutaneous lesion. The pathology of ML is characterized by an exaggerated inflammatory reaction with infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells. There is also a paucity of parasites and a strong delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. Herein, we report a case of a young man who had a large ulcer in his left leg and complained of dysphagia. In nasofibrolaryngoscopy, there were nodular lesions in the oropharynx and rhinopharynx. The skin lesion biopsy showed a chronic inflammation with amastigotes inside macrophages, and DNA of Leishmania braziliensis confirmed the diagnosis of ML in tissue biopsied from the pharynx. The leishmaniasis skin test was negative. Cytokine evaluation showed lack of production of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-17 with enhancement of these cytokine levels after cure.

Long-term use of Le Fort I osteotomy for the management of nasopharyngeal rhinosporidiosis: A case series.

Rhinosporidiosis is a rare, chronic, granulomatous infection of the mucous membranes that mainly involves the nose and nasopharynx; it occasionally involves the pharynx, conjunctiva, larynx, trachea and, rarely, the skin. The characteristic clinical features of this disease include the formation of painless polyps in the nasal mucosa or the nasopharynx that bleed easily on touch. At our center, excision of the lesion with a Le Fort I osteotomy is carried out in patients (1) in whom two or more previous attempts at excision of biopsy-proven rhinosporidiosis arising from the nasal mucosa was carried out or (2) in whom the rhinosporidiosis arises from the nasophayrngeal mucosa and/or extranasal sites. In this article we retrospectively present 7 cases in which, according to our inclusion criteria, complete excision of the lesion was carried out with a Le Fort I osteotomy. Excellent visualization of the entire maxillary and ethmoidal air cells after the down-fracture of the maxilla helped in the total removal of the lesions. Most of these lesions had multiple points of origin through the nasal, maxillary, and ethmoidal mucosa; the excellent visualization enabled direct cauterization of all these points of origin. The mean follow-up period was 7.96 years, and all patients were disease-free by the time the study was prepared. This article presents details of the treatment protocol and technique followed at our center for the treatment of nasopharyngeal rhinosporidiosis and the details of long-term follow-up. Through this study we hope to prove the efficacy of Le Fort I osteotomy in the definitive management of nasopharyngeal rhinosporidiosis.

Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis in tegumentary leishmaniasis.

Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis is a causal agent of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). This protozoan has been poorly investigated; however, it can cause different clinical forms of ATL, ranging from a single cutaneous lesion to severe lesions that can lead to destruction of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. L. (V.) guyanensis and the disease caused by this species can present unique aspects revealing the need to better characterize this parasite species to improve our knowledge of the immunopathological mechanisms and treatment options for ATL. The mechanisms by which some patients develop a more severe form of ATL remain unclear. It is known that the host immune profile and parasite factors may influence the clinical manifestations of the disease. Besides intrinsic parasite factors, Leishmaniavirus RNA 1 (LRV1) infecting L. guyanensis can contribute to ATL immunopathogenesis. In this review, general aspects of L. guyanensis infection in humans and mouse models are presented.

[An Uncommon Cause of Epistaxis: Nasopharyngeal Hirudiniasis]. / Epistaksisin Nadir Bir Nedeni: Nazofarengeal Huridiniasis.

The leech that is taken by ingestion of contaminated water can settle on any location at upper respiratory tract from nose to larynx. It sucks blood by adhering to the mucosa and causes mucosal bleeding by secreting hirudin. If the leech goes forward to the larynx, this can be life threatening due to severe airway obstruction. We are presenting 23 year-old male patient who admitted to our hospital with anterior and posterior nose bleeding and dysphagia due to the leech located in the posterior wall of the nasopharynx. The treatment and differential diagnosis of epistaxis is discussed in this article.

Intestinal pathogens, diarrhoea and acute phase proteins in naturally infected dairy calves.

In this study, the association between Eimeria spp. related signs and innate immune response in dairy calves was examined. Calves (n=100) aged 15-60 days were clinically examined and faecal samples, blood samples and deep nasopharyngeal swabs obtained. The samples were analysed for intestinal pathogens, acute phase proteins and WBC count, and respiratory tract pathogens, respectively. Diarrhoea was diagnosed in 32.6% (23.3-43.0%, 95% CI) of calves. An association between the pathogenic Eimeria spp. and diarrhoea was detected by multiple correspondence analysis. Eimeria related signs (diarrhoea, presence of pathogenic species and total oocyst count) were combined resulting a four level variable. Calves with weak signs of eimeriosis had decreased haptoglobin concentrations (p=0.02) and increased fibrinogen concentrations (p=0.048) compared to no signs. Increased haptoglobin and fibrinogen concentrations were associated with respiratory tract infection and umbilical infection. Serum amyloid A and WBC counts showed no association with signs of eimeriosis or clinical diagnoses.

Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mexico.

In Mexico, 6 cases of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) were found in widely separated geographic regions. Information was also available on 2 other cases. In addition to the typical clinical features, half of the patients had evidence of nasopharyngeal mucosal involvement. All isolates from the DCL patients were identified as Leishmania mexicana mexicana by isoenzyme analysis and monoclonal antibody typing. In 1 region of Tabasco state where DCL was found, uncomplicated cutaneous leishmaniasis appeared to be highly endemic, and isolates from a few such patients were identified as L. mexicana mexicana. An incidental finding was the recovery of an isolate of L. braziliensis braziliensis from a patient with chiclero ulcer in Oaxaca state. The clinical and epidemiological significance of the reported cases are discussed.

Visceral leishmaniasis masquerading as a nasopharyngeal tumour. Report of a case.

A 55-year-old male, a resident of a village in the foothills of the Himalayas in the north-western region of India, presented with a huge nasopharyngeal tumour but was subsequently found to be infected with Leishmania donovani, involving the nasopharyngeal tissue and the draining lymph nodes as well as a visceral infection.

Use of deer models to study larviposition by wild nasopharyngeal bot flies (Diptera: Oestridae).

Deer models baited with CO2 and with CO2 plus 1-octen-3-ol and Deer Trail Scent attracted and induced female Cephenemyia apicata Bennett & Sabrosky and C. jellisoni Townsend to larviposit on them. Larvae were not deposited on unbaited models. Females of both species were seen at baited models, and an insect trapping adhesive applied to the nostrials, muzzle, and lips of models revealed that all larvae were stuck to the lips and bottom part of the muzzle. The models also attracted and caught most other parasitic Diptera known to attack California black-tailed deer, Odocoileus hemionus columbianus (Richardson), in the study area.

Neonatal myiasis: a case report and a role of the Internet.

Maggot infestation (myiasis) can occur in the newborn baby. However, neonatal myiasis is rare, and there is no published literature on this subject. Rapid useful information on such an esoteric clinical case can be obtained by searching the Internet. Effective medical management includes complete removal of the maggots and offering reassurance to the distraught parents.

Prevalence and monthly variations of the second and third instars of Cephalopina titillator (Diptera: Oestridae) infesting camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Nine hundred and twenty-three camels slaughtered at Al-Ahsa abattoir, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, were examined for infestation with second and third instars of Cephalopina titillator during the period from December 1991 to November 1992. Four hundred and eighty camels (52%) were infested with second and third instars, with an annual mean of 19.29 +/- 1.09 larvae per camel (L/C). The percentage of infested camels and the mean monthly total number of larvae per camel showed two peaks of abundance, during February (96.06% and 25.06 +/- 2.1 L/C) and September (88.90% and 27.50 +/- 3.97 L/C). Variations in the percentage of infestation were inversely correlated with monthly average temperature and positively correlated with relative humidity. Mean numbers of third instars were significantly greater than those of the second instars during each month of the study period. Two peaks of abundance were observed for each of the second (February and September) and third instars (January and October). Infestation levels showed that the percentages of camels infested with 1-10, 11-20 and 21-30 larvae were 47.90%, 19.16% and 12.71%, respectively. Fewer camels were infested with 31-40 (6.25%), 41-50 (4.37%), 51-60 (3.54%) and 61-70 (2.08%). The greatest number of larvae (101-110) was observed in only three camels (0.62%). It is concluded that adult flies appear twice a year, during the period from late March to early May and in December. Twice-annual larvicidal treatment of camels during February and September is recommended to eliminate most of the larvae infesting camels.