Flatworms: Trematoda Notes (Lecture Transcript Summary)

Trematoda (Flukes)

Flatworms in the phylum Platyhelminthes; not segmented; often leaf-shaped.

Cestodes (Tapeworms)

Flat and long, but segmented; described as more ribbon-like.

Oral Sucker

Muscular structure at the anterior end, surrounding the mouth, used for attachment.

Acetabulum

A muscular sucker used for attachment to a host.

Fluke Puke

Colloquial term for regurgitated digested material due to the lack of an anus in trematodes.

Hermaphroditic

Possessing both male and female reproductive organs within the same animal.

Operculum

A lid-like opening on trematode eggs; a diagnostic feature.

Metacercaria

The infective encysted larval form for many trematodes, typically ingested by the definitive host.

Fasciola hepatica

A liver fluke primarily affecting sheep and cattle, causing necrotic liver disease (acute) or fibrotic changes (chronic).

Liver Rot

Necropsy finding in cattle infected with Fasciola hepatica, characterized by obstruction and liver tissue damage.

Paragonimus calicati

A lung fluke commonly found in dogs and cats; adults are barrel-shaped and reddish-brown.

Eosinophilic peritonitis

An inflammatory response involving eosinophils, mentioned in the context of lung fluke infection.

Neophytus samicola

The 'salmon poisoning fluke' in dogs, acting as a vector for ricocelia agents and causing hemorrhagic diarrhea. Infects via ingestion of contaminated salmon.

Hemorrhagic diarrhea

A key clinical sign in Neophytus samicola (salmon poisoning) in dogs.

Zoonosis

Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans; proper PPE is advised for handling suspected cases.