nasopharyngeal pentastomiasis (halzoun): report of 3 cases

a three-member family from tehran referred with variety of nasopharyngeal symptoms including sneezing, coughing and nasal discharge following consumption of barbecued liver (kabab).  thirteen worm-like nymphs of linguatula serrata were separated from larynx, nose and gum of these patients. the adult parasites live in the nose and paranasal sinuses of dogs and other carnivores.  although this infection is rare, in population who have the habit of consuming undercooked internal organs of herbivorous animals the physicians should consider its probability.