Report of a Case with Small Bowel Obstruction by a Rare Parasite (Pentastomiasis)

Abstract

Linguatula serrata (L. serrata), an aberrant arthropod of the Pentastomida phylum, inhabits the canine respiratory system as its final host. Intermediate hosts include humans and herbivores. Humans can be infected via consumption of raw or under-cooked liver or lymph nodes of sheep, goats, and cattle. A few human cases have been reported from Iran. Here, we have reported a case of pentastomiasis infection in a 55-year-old man who presented with fever, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and weight loss. Small bowel transit revealed partial obstruction in the small intestine. Abdominal CT scan showed increased small bowel wall thickness. Both laparoscopy and biopsy findings favored parasitic granuloma from a pentastomiasis infection. He was administered praziquantel and albendazole. After two weeks of therapy the patient recovered.