Tapeworms Flashcards
Tapeworms come from which group of parasites?
Cestodes
Describe the steps in the general lifecycle of tapeworms
- Adults in small intestine (they have no gut so rely on host completely)
- Proglottids break off and eggs/proglottids shed in faeces
- Eggs immediately infective
- Eggs eaten by intermediate host
- Metacestode develops in intermediate host
- Metacestode eaten by definitive host where the adult tapeworm develops in the SI
Name the 4 metacestode types in the intermediate host
- Cysticercus
- Coenurus
- Cysticercoid
- Hydatid
What is a cysticercus?
Single evaginated protoscolex
What is a coenurus?
Complex, several protoscolices, which can all potentially develop into an adult worm
What is a cysticercoid?
Microscopic, single protoscolex, found in invertebrate intermediate host
What is a hydatid?
Highly complex, numerous protoscolices, potential for metastasis to set up another hydatid cyst
Name the 5 species of Taenia that dogs are the definitive host of
- Taenia ovis
- Taenia hydatigena
- Taenia multiceps
- Taenia pisiformis
- Taenia serialis
Dogs are also the definitive host of which 3 other tapeworm spp?
- Echinococcus granulosus
- Echinococcus multilocularis
- Dipylidium caninum
Cats are the definitive host of which cestode?
Taenia taeniformis
Where are adult Taenia found?
Small intestine
Describe the characteristic Taenia eggs
Thick embryophore, hexacanth embryo, ~40μm in diameter (these eggs are also the same as Echinococcus and can’t be differentiated)
Describe the morphology of Taenia
- Large 30cm-5m
- +/- armed rostellum
- Hooks and suckers
How long is the PPP of Taenia?
4-10 weeks (spp. dependent)
Sheep are the intermediate host of which Taenia spp?
Taenia ovis
Taenia multiceps
Taenia hydatigena
Rabbits are the intermediate host of which Taenia spp?
Taenia pisiformis
Taenia serialis
Describe the features of a Taenia ovis infection
- Cysticercus in muscles
- ‘Sheep measles’
- Adult tapeworm is 1.2-1.5m long
Describe the features of a Taenia hydatigena infection
- Cysticercus in peritoneum
- Thin necked bladder worm
- ‘Grape’ appearance
- Adult = 1m long
Describe the features of a Taenia multiceps infection
- Coenurus in brain
- Gid cyst causes neurological disease
- Space occupying CNS lesion
- Circling, head pressing and tilting
- Adult = 1.2m long
Describe the features of a Taenia pisiformis infection
Cysticercus in peritoneum
Adults = 2m long
Describe the features of a Taenia serialis infection
- Coenurus in connective and sub-cutaneous tissue
- Adult = 5m long