Histopathological lesions compatible with nymphs of Linguatula serrata in bovine liver

Linguatula serrata is the causative parasite of Linguatulosis, a disease that not only produces economic losses in cattle but also represents a public health risk due to its zoonotic nature. This study aimed to microscopically characterise the compatible lesions produced by this parasite in bovine liver collected at a slaughterhouse in the city of Curicó, Chile. Histologic compatible lesions with Linguatulosis were observed in 18 out of 269 livers. Furthermore, nymphs were visualised in 3 cases, allowing an etiologic diagnosis. Microscopic lesions containing nymphs demonstrated two patterns of inflammatory reactions, one pattern with a predominance of eosinophils, accompanied by lymphocytes and some macrophages, and another pattern with a predominance of lymphocytes and plasma cells with some macrophages. A microscopic characterisation was performed in compatible lesions without nymphs (n=15), defining 4 types of granulomas attributable to visceral Linguatulosis, according to the presence and features of cells at the centre of the lesion, the presence of presumably degenerated nymphal structures, location of inflammatory infiltrate, as well as location and amount of surrounding fibrous tissue. These lesions can concede a presumptive microscopic diagnosis. Also, different microscopic features of granulomas compatible with Linguatulosis analysed in this study suggest a temporal evolution of the lesions. The description of lesions generates a better understanding of the host-parasite interaction of this agent which has importance in both animal productivity and public health

Prevalence of bovine hepatic linguatuliasis in a slaughterhouse in Talca, Chile

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de linguatulosis en hígados de bovinos beneficiados en una planta faenadora de Talca, Chile. Se examinaron 376 hígados y se registró la presencia de lesiones compatibles a linguatulosis, así como la presencia de la ninfa de Linguatula serrata. El 13.8% de los hígados presentaron lesiones compatibles con linguatulosis y en el 48% de estos se llegó al diagnóstico etiológico. No se encontraron diferencias significativas por grupo etario (p=0.187). En el 28% de hígados con diagnóstico etiológico, la linguatulosis fue la única enfermedad parasitaria, en el 60% estuvo asociada con distomatosis y en un solo caso con un quiste hidatídico. La prevalencia de linguatulosis en hígados de bovinos fue de 6.7%, con base en la presencia de ninfas de L. serrata.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatic linguatuliasis of cattle slaughtered in an abattoir in Talca, Chile. Livers (n=376) were examined and compatible lesions and the presence of the nymph of Linguatula serrata were recorded. The results showed that 13.8% of livers showed lesions compatible with linguatulosis and the etiologic diagnosis was obtained in 48% of them. No significant differences by age group (p=0.187) were found. In 28% of livers with etiologic diagnosis, linguatuliasis was the only parasitic disease, 60% was associated with liver fluke and in one case with one hydatid cyst. The prevalence of hepatic linguatuliasis was 6.7% based on the presence of L. serrata nymphs