PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F.

Ebersole

Cestodes – it is also known as ― tapeworms‖ due to its segment

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
 Flat and ribbon like bodies
 It does not have body cavity or alimentary tract
 It has excretory, nervous and reproductive system
 Forms: Adult, one or more larva and ova
-> Ova with hexacanth embryo ( oncosphere) – first stage larva inside the ova with six
small hooks arranged in pairs responsible for piercing of intestinal wall of host.
WITHOUT HEXACANTH EMBRYO: Diphylobothrium latum
 Tegument – outer covering responsible for absorption of nutrients and excretion
 All are heteroxenous, except: Hymenolepis nana ( both homoxenous and heteroxenous)
 Adult consist of three parts:
o Head ( scolex) – defined anterior end
o Neck
o Trunk ( Strobilla) - individual segments that in their mature form are equipped with
both male and female reproductive organs.
Laboratory Diagnosis
1. Stool – most commonly used to identify tapeworms
- eggs , occasional gravid proglottid and rare scolex after treatment
2. Biopsy – for Echinococcus granulosus
3. Serological Test
4. Perianal Swab – High recovery for Taenia eggs
Pseudophyllidea Cyclophyllidea
Species Diphylobothrium latum Taenia spp.
Spirometra spp Hymenolepis spp.
Echinococcus spp.
Dipylidium caninum
Genital Pore Central Lateral
Uterine Pore Central Absent
Apolysis – shedding of ripe proglottids Absent Present
during life
Ova Unembryonated, Ovoid Embryonated, Spherical
Based on Habitat
Adult Worm in Intestines( DEFINITIVE HOST) Larval Stage in Man ( AccidentalIntermediate Host)
D. latum Spirometra
T. solium D. latum ( sparganosis)
T. saginata T. solium
H. nana Echinococcus
H. diminuta Multiceps muticeps

Head ( Scolex)
 Four cup shaped structure ( suckers) – for attachment in the intestinal mucosa
 Rostellum – fleshy extension or apical protrusion from which one or two rows of hooks might
be present. ( With rostellum: Taenia solium )
 Treatments are based on removing the scolex in the intestinal mucosa
With hooklets Without hooklets
T. solium – double row of hooklets D. latum – spoon shape
H. nana – retractile rostelllum Y shape T. saginata
D. caninum – prominent conical rostellum with circlet H. diminuta – rudimentary apical rostellum
of up to 7 spines.
E. granulosus
Neck
 Region of growth for strobila
 Budding zone where segments originates
PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F. Ebersole

Trunk ( Strobila)
 Chain of proglottids or segments
 Young, Mature, Gravid
 Hermaphroditic segments = Mature Segment
 Uterus filled eggs = Gravid segment
Mature Gravid
Diphylobothrium latum NO DISTINCT Broader than long with central
uterine ( Rosette)
Taenia solium Accesory ovarian lobe Longer than broad
100-200 follicular testes 7-15 uterine branches
Taenia saginata Vaginal Sphincter Longer than broad
300-400 follicular testes 15-30 uterine branches
Hymenolepis nana and diminuta 3 testes and 1 ovary Saccular Uterus
Echinocccus granulosus 1 set of reproductive structure Coiled/Loosely Twisted with
midline lateral evagination

Diphylobothrium latum
also known as Broad Fish Tapeworm or Russian Broad Tapeworm
Longest Cestode to infect man; May cause Vit B12 deficiency
Scolex With 2 false cuplike suckers or sucking grooves ( bothria); Almond shape or spatulate

Proglottid Wider than they are long; Rosette gravid proglottid ( central uterine); Bilobed ovary

Ova
PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F. Ebersole

Ova of D. latum is similar with Paragonimus westermani

Life Cycle of Diphylobothrium latum

Definitive Host: Man Intermediate Host: Cyclops ( 1st IH)
Fresh Water Fish ( 2nd IH)
2nd IH is usually a smaller fish that is ingested by larger fish
INFECTIVE STAGE TO:
MAN 2nd IH 1st IH
Plerocercoid Procercoid Coracidium
Human D. latum infection is initiated when the plerocercoid is ingested when consuming
contaminated freshwater fish. In the small intestine, the scolex emerges from the plerocercoid and
attaches to the intestinal mucosa. The adult worm self fertilizes and the undeveloped eggs are passed
into the outside environment via the stool. If these eggs were to come in contact with freshwater, the
coracidium, or free-swimming larva, would hatch. This larva is ingested by the first intermediate
host, the Cyclops species copepod. The next stage in D. latum development, the larval stage known
as the procercoid, occurs in the copepod. The infected copepod is ingested by the second
intermediate host, a freshwater fish. Once inside the fish, the procercoid develops into a
plerocercoid larva in the muscle. Human ingestion of the contaminated fish initiates a new cycle.

Spirometra ( mansoni, theileri and erinacei)

 Found in Southeast Asia
 Definitive host is cats and dogs
 1st intermediate host : Cyclops, 2nd intermediate host : Snakes, Frogs and Fishes
 Man acts as accidental 2nd intermediate host
Sparganosis
 Ectopic infection of plerocercoid in human due to consumption of procercoid
 Due to water contaminated with infected copepods and medicines contaminated with infected
animal by-products.
 It may be found in subcutaneous tissue of human ( white, wrinkled and ribbon shape)
Summary of Taenia solium vs Taenia saginata
T. solium T. saginata
Common Name Pork Tapeworm Beef Tapeworm
Armed Tapeworm Unarmed Tapeworm
Definitive Host Man Man
Intermediate Host Pig; but also man Cow
Infective Stage Cysticercus cellulosae; Eggs Cysticercus bovis
Length 2-3m 5-10m
PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F. Ebersole

Scolex Small and globular Large globular

Rostellum with hooks Without rostellum nor hooks
( Double Crown)
Suckers not pigmented Suckers may be pigmented
Neck Short Long
Proglottid or Segment <1000 1,000-2000
Uterus Square; 7-15 thick and dendritic Rectangular; 15-30 thin and
( Lateral Branches) on each side dichotomous on each side
STAIN: INDIA INK
Vaginal Sphincter Absent Present
Accessory Ovarian Lobe Present Absent
Eggs of Taenia are
indistinguishable to each other
Spherical with thin hyaline
membrane

ILLUSTRATION
Taenia solium Taenia saginata
Adult
PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F. Ebersole

Segment

Ova

Life Cycle of Taenia spp.

Infection with Taenia spp. occurs following the ingestion of raw or undercooked beef (T.
saginata) or pork (T. solium) contaminated with a cysticercus larva, a type of larva that consists of a
scolex surrounded by a bladder-like, thinwalled cyst that is filled with fluid. Larva emerges in the small
intestine, in which maturation into an adult worm occurs. The resulting adult multiplies, producing
numerous eggs which may be passed into the feces. These eggs are then consumed by the proper
animal species (cow or pig) in which the oncosphere hatches. The oncosphere then migrates via the
blood to the animal tissue and converts into the infective cysticercus larval stage. A new cycle is
initiated on human ingestion of the infected animal meat.
OTHER NOTES TO CONSIDER:
1. Taenia saginata – cosmopolitan; Taenia solium – worldwide
2. Cysticercosis – human accidentally ingest T. solium eggs ( person to person) due to contaminated
food, water and soil. Oncosphere migrates to the voluntary muscles. It may cause
neurocysticercosis. Serological test is used to diagnose this.
Taenia saginata asiatica or Asian Taenia or Taenia asiatica
 Closely related to Taenia saginata; Smaller than T. saginata
 With sunken rostellum and two rows of hooks
 Due to consumption of pig’s liver though cattle and goat are implicated
PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F. Ebersole

Multiceps multiceps or Taenia multiceps or Taenia serialis

 Definitive host is dog, wolf and fox
 Intermediate host is sheep, cattles, horses and other ruminants
 Human acts as accidental intermediate host
 Coenurus usually found in CNS; Also called as bladder worms
 ―Staggers‖ in sheep
Hymenolepis diminuta also known as Rat Tapeworm
Scolex With four suckers; small (rudimentary) apical rostellum without hooks

Proglottid Rectangular; Saclike uterus filled with eggs; Often difficult to see

Ova
―Fried
Egg
Appearance‖
PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F. Ebersole

Life Cycle of Hymenolepis diminuta

Contaminated droppings from infected rats are the mode of transmission for intermediate
host, such as the grain beetle or flea. Development of the cysticercoid larva happens inside the
intermediate host. Consumption of infected insects, which typically reside in grains or cereal, results in
the development of an adult worm in rats. Human infection with H. diminuta is considered to be an
accidental definitive host
Infective stage to man in H. diminuta – Cysticercoid larva
Hymenolepis nana also known as Dwarf Tapeworm
Smallest cestode to infect human intestine; Most common cestode in humans
Scolex With four suckers; small rostellum with one row of hooks

Proglottid Rectangular; Saclike uterus filled with eggs

Ova
PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F. Ebersole

Life Cycle of Hymenolepis nana

Homoxenous – 1 host Heteroxenous – 2 different hosts
Consumption of an infective egg initiates human H. nana infection. The development of the
cysticercoid larva occurs in the intestine. On further maturation, the resulting adult worm resides in
the intestine, in which it is capable of self-reproduction. Disintegration of gravid proglottids releases
numerous eggs.
The egg may be passed outside the body via the This parasite may exist in a number of other
feces. An egg released into the outside animal transport hosts, such as fleas, beetles,
environment is in the infective stage. No rats, and house mice. It is interesting to note that
intermediate host is required to complete the the cysticercoid larval stage may develop in these
cycle. Such an egg, when ingested by a new hosts; when this occurs; such hosts are infective
human host, initiates a new cycle. to both humans and rodents.
Autoreinfection – hatching of eggs in the GIT and develop to Adult
Human Flea ( Pulex irritans); Rat Flea ( Xenopsylla cheopis); Dog Flea ( Ctenocephalides canis);
Cockroaches ( Blatella germanica); Rice and Flour Beetles ( Tenebrio spp.)
INFECTIVE STAGE TO Hymenolepis nana: Man – Egg ( Homoxenous); Cysticercoid ( Heteroxenous)
Dipylidium caninum also known as Dog or Cat Tapeworm or Pumpkin Seed Tapeworm
or Double Pored Tapeworm
Scolex With four suckers; club shaped armed rostellum with up to seven circlets

Proglottid Pumpkin Seed mature and gravid proglottid; Two sets of reproductive organs; With
two genital pores; full eggs enclosed in embryonic membrane

Ova
PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F. Ebersole

Life Cycle of Dipylidium caninum:

Ingestion of an intermediate host’s dog or cat fleas is the mode of transmission. These
fleas may be transmitted by the lick of an infected dog or cat or by hand-to-mouth contamination.
Ingestion of contaminated food has also been known to initiate infection. Intestinal infection occurs
following human ingestion of the cysticercoid larva. The resulting adult worm selffertilizes and egg
packets are passed in stool. To continue the cycle, the eggs must be ingested by a dog or cat flea, in
which larval development occurs. The swallowing of an infected flea initiates a new cycle. It is
important to note that humans take the place of the dog or cat in the life cycle when they become
infected. INFECTIVE STAGE to Dipylidium caninum – Cysticercoid larva

Echinococcus granulosus also known as Dog Tapeworm or Hydatid Tapeworm

Definitive Host: Dogs; Intermediate Host: Sheep and Man
Adult scolex, small neck, and three proglottids, one at each developmental stage—
immature, mature, and gravid. The scolex contains four suckers and has
approximately 36 hooks. This form is not typically seen in humans but is commonly
found in canines, which serve as definitive hosts. With twisted or coiled uterus

Hydatid Cyst

Ova Indistinguishable to Taenia eggs; cannot be recovered in human

Hydatid Cyst Fluid – highly antigen that may lead to anaphylactic shock
Casoni Test – Skin Test for E. granulosus
Ultrasonography – waterlily sign or snow flake
Life Cycle of Echinoccus granulosus
Humans serve as accidental intermediate hosts for E. granulosus. The typical intermediate
host is sheep, although other herbivores may also serve in this role. Human infection begins following
the ingestion of Echinococcus eggs obtained by contact with contaminated dog feces. Larvae from
the eggs penetrate the intestine and migrate via the bloodstream to a number of tissue sites,
PARASITOLOGY LECTURE Prepared by: Chester F. Ebersole

particularly the lung and liver. A hydatid cyst develops in the infected tissue. Humans are considered
to be dead-end hosts because the Echinococcus life cycle ceases in human tissue.

When the sheep serves as the intermediate host, the life cycle may be completed. The hydatid
cyst forms in the viscera (soft parts and internal organs of major cavities in the body) of the sheep.
The definitive host, the dog or wild canine, contracts the parasite by consuming infected sheep
viscera. On ingestion of the cyst, each scolex develops into an adult worm. The adult worms reside in
the definitive host’s intestine. Eggs are produced and passed into the environment via the feces, in
which they are capable of initiating a new cycle.
INFECTIVE STAGE OF MAN TO Echinoccus granulosus: Eggs

Echinococcus multilocularis
 Rare disease ― alveolar or multilocular‖ hydatid disease
 Foxes are the primary definitive hosts; rodents such as mice and voles are the usual
intermediate hosts.
 It presents with multiple small cysts in both lobes of the liver. Patients die of liver failure.
Based on Length Based on Segments
Adult and Ova
D. latum Up to 10m 55-75um by 40-55um > 3000
T. saginata 5-10m 28-40um by 18-30um 1,000 -2000
T. solium 2-8m <1000
D. caninum 10-70cm 30-60um each egg 60-175
( Enclosed in packet)
H. diminuta 20-60cm 55-85um 800-1000
[Link] 1-4cm 45-38um 60-175
E. granulosus 3-8mm Same w/ Taenia 3
NOTHING FOLLOWS