AVA Conference Adelaide 2016

Linguatula serrata is a parasite found in several parts of the world, commonly in the Middle East. It is parasite of dogs and foxes (definitive hosts), residing in nasal cavities, with a range of herbivorous species acting as intermediate hosts. The intermediate nymphal stage resides in the mesenteric lymph nodes. The adult parasite is large with females reaching up to 14 cm and males 1-2 cm. It is also a zoonosis and humans may act as definitive or intermediate host. This parasite has rarely been found in Australia (10 reports in 200 years) and is commonly thought to be nothing more than a veterinary curiosity. Recent studies in wildlife (wild dogs (dingoes and dingo/domestic dog hybrids and foxes and in livestock (cattle) have revealed this parasite is far from rare. Wildlife survey data will be presented together with data on the morphology of the adult and nymphal stages. Transmission in wildlife and the risks to infection in domestic dogs will be discussed