Raillietina spp. (1)

Question 1

What are the intermediate hosts?

Answer 1

Beetles

Ants

Question 2

Describe adults

Answer 2

10-25 cm

Question 3

What is the larval form?

Answer 3

Cysticercoid

Question 4

Describe eggs

Answer 4

Egg size differs

Round to oval

25-50 micro m long

Question 5

Explain the life cycle

Answer 5

PPP: 14-21 days

Eggs pass in feces

Eggs ingested by intermediate hosts and develop to cysticercoids

Intermediate host ingested by final host

Cysticercoids develop into adult tapeworms in small intestine

Question 6

What is the site of infection?

Answer 6

Small intestine

Question 7

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 7

Chronic infections

 - Reduced growth/weight gain
 - Emaciation
 - Weakness

Nodules and Hyperplastic enteritis at the site of attachment - “Nodular
tapeworm
disease”
(heavy
infections)
Most common tapeworms in poultry
- Prevalent in broiler production system

Question 8

How do you diagnose?

Answer 8

Eggs can’t be readily distinguished

Adults can be differentiated

Necropsy is most reliable method

Adults should be sectioned for identification which requires high level of expertise

Eggs may be seen in fecal examination
- Intermittent and do not float well

Question 9

What is the final host?

Answer 9

Fowl