Dermatological signs of nasopharyngeal linguatulosis (halzoun, Marrara syndrome)--the possible role of major basic protein.

Two hours after ingestion of improperly cooked meat a German tourist in Tunisia showed coughing, hoarseness, dysphagia, anosmia, frontal headache and epistaxis. At the same time a papular non-itching exanthema developed. The nasal discharge contained nymphs of Linguatula serrata. Histological examination of the papules revealed tissue eosinophilia and 'flame figures'. Nasopharyngeal and skin signs subsided spontaneously within 10 days. The possible role of major basic protein in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal linguatulosis is discussed.