halzoun (Marrara in Sudan)

Etiology

• Linguatula serrata

Epidemiology

• common in the Middle East (especially Sudan) following ingestion of incysted larvae in raw liver or lymph nodes of sheep & goats

Pathology

• larvae migrate to the nasopharynx to produce a self-limiting syndrome

Clinical manifestations

• pain & itching of the throat & ears
• coughing
• hoarseness
• dysphagia
• dyspnea
• copious nasal discharge
• nausea/vomiting

Laboratory

• larvae 5-10 mm in size may be found in nasal discharge or vomitus

Complications

• severe edema may cause obstruction & necessitate tracheostomy
• ocular invasion has been described

More general terms

• pentastomiasis

Additional terms

• Linguatula serrata