The aetiology of Halzoun in Lebanon: Recovery of Linguatula serrata nymphs from two patients

Abstract

Case histories of two Lebanese patients suffering from halzoun are given; both had ingested raw liver or lymph nodes of domestic herbivores shortly before the onset of symptoms. Linguatula serrata nymphs were recovered from both patients. The epidemiology of halzoun (and the condition of marrara syndrome in the Sudan) is discussed in terms of the life cycle of Linguatula serrata. Relationships are shown and terms proposed for two types of Linguatulid infection in man: Visceral linguatulosis resulting from infection by egg with development of nymphs in visceral organs; Nasopharyngeal linguatulosis resulting from ingestion of nymphs encapsulated in visceral organs of domestic herbivores.