ABSTRACT
Linguatula serrata is a zoonotic parasite in humans, which causes Linguatulosis. The disease occurs in two forms - visceral and nasopharyngeal. Dog and other carnivorous are the main definitive hosts while most herbivores, including domestic ruminants serve as intermediate hosts for Linguatula serrata. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of nymphal stages of Linguatula serrata in mesenteric lymph nodes of ruminant slaughtered in Zaria, Kaduna and Kano abattoirs. A total of 600 samples were collected, consisting of 100 each of mesenteric lymph nodes of camels, cattle, sheep and goats from Kano, 100 goats from Zaria and 100 goats from Kaduna abattoirs. Eight (1.3%) were found to be infected with Linguatula serrata nymphs. The results showed that 3% of camels were infected with Linguatula serrata and there was no association between sex (P=0.576), body condition score (P=0.640) and L. serrata infection in camels. The infection rate of Linguatula serrata nymph in goats in Kano, Kaduna and Zaria were 1%, 2% and 2% respectively, and the overall prevalence in goats being 1.7%, while cattle and sheep were all negative (0%) for Linguatula serrata nymph. There was no significant association between age (P=0.197), breed (P=0.513), sex (P=0.180), and body condition score of goats (P=0.797) and Linguatula serrata nymphal infection, but there was a significant association between age and L. serrata infection in camels (P= 0.030). The higher infection rate of Linguatula serrata nymph was found in Zaria and Kaduna than in Kano. The results from this study showed that there was higher rate of Linguatula serrata infection in goats and this might be of public health significance.