The tapeworm Spirometra theileri (Baer, 1925) n. comb., obtained as pleroccrcoids from a wart hog in Tanzania, has been maintained in the laboratory; adults in dogs, and larval stages in Cyclops and then rodents. The species differs physiologically and biologically from those described from other parts of the world in the cyclical production of eggs in dogs, inability of the procercoids to infect amphibia or reptiles, and the lack of any parasite-induced weight gain in mice, rats or hamsters.
Asexual multiplication in Cysticercus pisifortnis (Bloch, 1780) was first described by Moniez (1880). This observation was refuted by Solomon (1934) as being “erroneous or descriptive of an isolated or abnormal phenomenon”. Several years later, Crusz (1948) confirmed the observations of Moniez (1880). Voge (1967) did not mention asexual reproduction in this species in her review on postembryonic development of cestodes.
The pathology associated with the early migratory phase of infection by the sparganum larvae of Spirometra theileri (Baer, 1925) Opuni and Muller, 1974 (Pseudophyllidea: Diphyllobothriidae), has been investigated in TO strain mice and in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatto). All infected mice developed haemorrhagic skin lesions and oedema of the joints and often ascites and peritonitis 3–6 weeks after infection. There was a 25% mortality in mice given plerocercoids orally, 37.5% in those injected with procercoids intraperitoneally. From eight weeks after infection larvae in both mice and monkeys were at various stages of encapsulation. One monkey which died three weeks after oral infection with 100 procercoids had developed ascites, haemorrhagic lesions and an acute peritonitis; infarcts were observed in the liver, lungs and spleen.
Abstract100 male T.O. strain laboratory mice were divided into 4 equal groups: (I) 25 were injected intramuscularly with an antigen prepared together with Freund's adjuvant; (II) 25 injected with antigen alone; (III) 25 infected subcutaneously with 8 live plerocercoids of the same species; (IV) 25 served as controls. 4 weeks later all mice were given 6 live plerocercoids orally. The presence of acquired immunity in group III was shown by a significant reduction in the numbers, size and motility of challenge worms. The host response was greater in all the immunized groups than in the controls.
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