Complex insight on microanatomy of larval "human broad tapeworm" Dibothriocephalus latus (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea).

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Europe, the tapeworm Dibothriocephalus latus (syn. Diphyllobothrium latum) is a well-known etiological agent of human diphyllobothriosis, which spreads by the consumption of raw fish flesh infected by plerocercoids (tapeworm's larval stage). However, the process of parasite establishment in both intermediate and definitive hosts is poorly understood. This study was targeted mainly on the scolex (anterior part) of the plerocercoid of this species, which facilitates penetration of the parasite in intermediate paratenic fish hosts, and subsequently its attachment to the intestine of the definitive host.

Methods

Plerocercoids were isolated from the musculature of European perch (Perca fluviatilis) caught in Italian alpine lakes. Parasites were examined using confoc

SUBMITTER: Barcak D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6702751 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature