Study on the incidence of linguatulosis in slaughtered small ruminants in Shahriar aboittoir

Linguatula serrata is a worldwide distribiution parasite. Dog and other carnivores are as final hosts and ruminans, equins and rodents are as intermediate hosts. Human is also as both definitive and intermediate hosts. In this study, the infection rate to Linguatula serrata and its relationship with some factors were investigated in slaughtered sheep and goats in Shahriar aboittor. To this end, mesenteric lymphatic nodes of 579 sheep and 195 goats were collected during 5 months randomely. Nymphs were followed through maceration of lymph nodes and digestion of them in digestive solution. The results showed that the infection rate was 16.23% in sheep and 53.33% in goats. Statistical analysis showed more infection rate in goats than sheep. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between sex and rate of the infection and Linguatulosis in female animals was more than males. Meanwhile, statistical analyses showed that the infection rat increased with age of animals. Therefore, regarding to presence of the infection in studied animals and its probable transmission to human, suitable meat inspections, and full-cooking of meat and animal based products can control and prevent of the infection.