CESTODES

GENERAL: Adults: Intestine; Larvae: tissues of vertebrates. Segments-

proglottids,

hermaphroditic, genital opening, flattened dorso-ventrally, scolex-suckers/hooks.

PHYSIOLOGY: Adults in lumen - anaerobic metabolism. Glycogen from dextrose.

Nourishment from semi-digested food, tegument with microtriches (proximal-

distal

portion for attachment). Proteins from ntestinal mucosa, carbohydrates

from intestinal contents. Starvation reduces parasites.

Larvae-nourishment from host tissue. Reproductive organs highly developed.

LIFE CYCLE: Intermediate host (exception?). Larvae solid or vesicular.

PATHOGENICITY: Adults: Minimal, no definite systemic effects (toxic?),

D. latum. Vit. B12 deficiency.

a. Attachment of scoleces-avenue of bacterial invasion.

b. Strobila-temporary intestinal obstruction.

c. Vague GIT and nervous symptoms.

d. Lowered vitality and anemia eg. D. latum.

Larvae: Serious disease-Cysticerci in brain (tumour?) Pressure symptoms;

shock, dissemination.

SYMPTOMS: Due to toxic products of worm, mechanical irritation, deprive host of

food (proteins,Vitamins etc.).

RESISTANCE / IMMUNITY: Larvae provoke immunological response.

Physiochemical environment for susceptibility. eg. proteolytic enzymes

important

for hatching ova, bile to activate

oncosphere.
“Crowding effect”.

Larvae: No striking cellular response. Barrier between larvae and tissue not
complete,

host proteins in cyst fluid and leakage of antigen. Complement consumed-evade

immune response?

DIAGNOSIS: Scolex, proglottids, ova. Larvae: serology, tests interpretation.

ADULT CESTODES

Species: Taenia solium, Taenia saginata

T. SOLIUM

GEOG. DISTRIBUTION:

MORPHOLOGY: Scolex, Gravid proglottid, Ova (thin hyaline membrane)

LIFE CYCLE: Ova from uterus-on soil, hogs ingest, emergent oncosphere into

intestinal wall,

mesenteric venules, all over body, filter out between muscles-60 to 70 days.

Cysticerci: Ingested, upper jejunum, head evaginates.

Proglottids: 5-12 w.

PATHOGENESIS: None. vague, anorexia? eosinophilia ?, scolex perforates wall ?

DIAGNOSIS: Ova (species diagnosis ?), proglottids/scolex (after treatment?)

TREATMENT: Beware of rupture of segment.

T. SAGINATA
MORPHOLOGY: Scolex, proglottid, size 25 m.
IMPORTANCE: 40 to 60 million infected.

PATHOGENESIS: Larger size, nutritional loss, intestinal blockage,

appendix,

systemic intoxication (absorbed byproducts), diarrhoea. discomfort,

embrassment.

DIAGNOSIS: Ova (species diagnosis), sellotape swab, gravid proglottid/scolex.

TREATMENT: Praziquantel-single dose.

HYMENOLEPIS NANA

GEOG. DISTRIBUTION: Kuwait, HABITAT: Small intestine.

HABITAT: MORPHOLOGY: Size: 1-4 cm; ova; Scolex: 4 suckers/hooks.

LIFE CYCLE: Ova ingested, hexacanth embryo burrows into ant part of SI, 4 days to

cysticercoid (solid),

villus ruptures, larva in intestine, adults, ova passed out. Autoinfection.

PATHOGENICITY: Enteritis, vague abdominal symptoms.

TREATMENT: Niclosamide: 5 days; Praziquantel: single dose.

PREVENTION: Hygiene, treatment, environmental sanitation,

safeguarding food from rodent faecal contamination.

H. DIMINUTA

GEOG. DISTRIBUTION: Adults larger; Scolex rostellum with no hooks.

LIFE CYCLE: Rat and mouse fleas intermediate host. Cerocysts (cysticercoid).

Infected by food or hands with insects.

DIAGNOSIS: Size, Ova with no polar filaments.

 DIPHYLLOBOTHRIUM LATUM
GEOG. DISTRIBUTION: Temperate lake areas.

MORPHOLOGY: Ova with operculum; Scolex: suctorial grooves; Proglottid shape /

structure.

LIFE CYCLE: Ova, from operculum, ciliated embryophore hatches as coracidium,

cyclops (develops into procercoid), ingested by fresh-water fish,develops into

plerocercoid,

eaten, larva attaches to intestine, develops into adults.

PATHOLOGY: Minor clinical symptoms: Pernicious hyperchromic anemia due to vit

B12

deficiency-attached in jejunum, competes with host.

DIAGNOSIS: Ova operculate, proglottids rare.

TREATMENT: Niclosamide