Pentastomiasis.

Pentastomiasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease of man, first described by Pruner in 1847. The causative organisms are pentastomes (pentastomids), so called because of the presence of two pairs of anterior hooks and a mouth, which give the appearance of 5 openings. They are annulated but non segmented vermiform blood-sucking endoparasites. They are probably best classified as a separate phyllum, the Pentastomida. Of medical interest are two families of pentastomes namely Linguatulidae and Porocephalidae, of which species of the genera Linguatula and Armillifer (Porocephalus) are parasites of man.