Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2014 Dec;62(12):1159-61.
doi: 10.4103/0301-4738.149145.

Linguatula serrata in the anterior chamber of the eye

Affiliations
Case Reports

Linguatula serrata in the anterior chamber of the eye

Muna Bhende et al. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

We report a case of intraocular Linguatula in healthy young female who presented with a history of trivial trauma, dislocated lens, inflammation and secondary glaucoma. A mobile worm was seen in the anterior chamber. Pars plana lensectomy and vitrectomy was planned to remove both the cataractous lens and the parasite during which the worm disappeared from view but was later recovered from the cassette fluid. It was identified as the nymphal form of Linguatula serrata (tongue worm).

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Anterior segment photograph at presentation showing the worm in the inferior part of the anterior chamber. The dislocated lens is seen in the lower half of the pupil
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intraoperative still photograph showing the parasite on the undersurface of the lens (arrow)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Wet mount photograph of the worm retrieved from the cassette fluid, that was identified as Linguatula serrata (×5)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Anterior segment photograph at 6 weeks follow-up showing a quiet eye

References

    1. Hopps HC, Keegan HL, Price DL, Self JT. Pentastomiasis. In: Marcial-Rojas RA, editor. Pathology of Protozoal and Helminthic Diseases. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins; 1971. pp. 970–89.
    1. Acha P, Szyfres B. Zoonoses and Communicable Diseases Common to Man and Animals. 3rd ed. III. Washington: Pan American Health Organization; 2003. Pentastomiases; pp. 345–50.
    1. Tappe D, Büttner DW. Diagnosis of human visceral pentastomiasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2009;3:e320. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Siavashi MR, Assmar M, Vatankhah A. Nasopharyngeal pentastomiasis (Halzoun): Report of 3 cases. Iran J Mol Sci. 2002;27:191–2.
    1. Yagi H, el Bahari S, Mohamed HA, Ahmed el-R S, Mustafa B, Mahmoud M, et al. The Marrara syndrome: A hypersensitivity reaction of the upper respiratory tract and buccopharyngeal mucosa to nymphs of Linguatula serrata. Acta Trop. 1996;62:127–34. - PubMed

Publication types