An Overview of Pentastomiasis in Reptiles and Other Vertebrates

摘要: Abstract Pentastomes are wormlike arthropods uniquely adapted to an obligate endoparasitic lifestyle in the respiratory tract of terrestrial vertebrates. The overwhelming majority pentastome species infect lungs reptiles. life cycle these usually involves at least one intermediate host. carry zoonotic potential, but among those parasitizing reptiles only Armillifer spp. have been unquestionably associated with accidental human infections. Recent evidence suggests that pentastomes crustaceans closely related branchiurans, therefore therapeutic agents targeting fish lice should be investigated for their use treating pentastome-infected reptile patients.