Tongue worm (Pentastomida) infection in ball pythons (Python regius) – a case report
Tongue worms (Pentastomida) are endoparasites causing pentastomiasis, an invasive disease representing a threat to exotic animals and humans. Animals acquire infection via the alimentary tract. In reptiles, the parasite is present in the lungs, resulting in symptoms from the respiratory system. Pentastomiasis may be asymptomatic, but nonspecific symptoms may occur at high parasite concentrations. Due to the harmful effects of many antiparasitic substances, tongue worm invasion in reptiles remains not fully treatable. Although pentasomiasis is rarely diagnosed in Poland, pentastomids were diagnosed in two ball pythons, who were patients of the “Poliklinika Weterynaryjna” veterinary clinic. They demonstrated problems with the respiratory system and a significant deterioration of health. Fenbendazole at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w., repeated after 7 days was shown to be effective.
Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Remigiusz
R
Gałęcki
Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Rajmund
R
Sokół
Department of Animal Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury, ul. Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
Agnieszka
A
Dudek
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017821:Boidae; D005273:Fenbendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D057078:Pentastomida
D000871:Anthelmintics; D005273:Fenbendazole