Pentastomes (Pentastomida, Armillifer armillatus Wyman, 1848) in snakes from Zambia
De Meneghi, D.
Parassitologia 41(4): 573-574
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0048-2951 PMID: 10870563 Document Number: 505514
Twenty-three snakes, belonging to eight different species, were collected from rural areas of Zambia and inspected for the presence of pentastomes. Pentastomid parasites were found in four snakes: one African rock python (Python sebae), one puff adder (Bitis arietans) and two Mozambique spitting cobras (Naja mossambica) were infested with a small number of Armillifer armillatus, respectively five, two and one adult parasites. As humans can be incidental/intermediate hosts for reptilian pentastomes, the zoonotic potential of these parasites, especially in tropical countries, is discussed.