Primate Intestinal Cestode Parasitology

Taenia spp.

• Many species can potentially infect primates (2 major species in humans)

T. solium (pork)-larval stage (cysticercus) in pigs

T. saginata (beef)-larval stage (cysticercus) in cattle

• Cannot be distinguished by morphology of ova

• Number of uterine branches of gravid segments may be helpful in speciation

• Infection by larval Taenia causes Cysticercosis which can infect muscle, brain, eye and other tissues

• T. solium adult can be fatal due to autoinfection

Hymenolepis spp.

•Hymenolepis (Rodentolepis) nana

•Size: 40-65µm

•Hymenolepis diminuta

•Size: 60-90µm

Diphyllobothrium spp. / Spirometra spp.

• Normal tapeworm of fish eating carnivores

• Similar morphology

• Life cycle differs in second intermediate host

• Size: 60x40µm

• Relatively harmless adult worm but may cause Vitamin B12 anemia

• Ingestion of infected 1st intermediate host can cause more serious disease

Bertiella spp.

• Related to Moniezia and Anoplocephala

• Parasite of Old World Primates • Proglottids resemble a piece of elastic band

• Size: 45-50µm

• Clear, colorless capsule containing oily droplets

• Pyriform apparatus with 2 “horns”

• Oribatid mites (soil mites) are the intermediate hosts