Light and Electron Microscopy Study of the Metacestode (Coenurus) of Taenia multiceps

Extract

Introduction:- The metacestode (larval stage) of Taenia multiceps, it is characterized by its big bladder fluid filled and multiple scoleces. Affect very frequently herbivorous mammals like sheeps, hares and rabbits (1); and occasionally humans (2), causing disorders very similars to that caused by Cysticercus cellulosae (3), the larval stage of Taenia solium. The adult parasite, Taenia multiceps, it is found in the intestine of domestic and wild carnivorous like dogs, wolves and coyotes.

In this paper we describe the morphology at the optical and electron microscope level of coenuri collected from hares.

Material and Methods.- Coenuri collected from hares, were dissected from muscle tissues and fixed in glutaraldehyde 2.5% in 0.1M phosphate buffer pH 7.4, postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide in the same buffer. Inclusion in medcast resin (Pelco). Sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and observed in a Zeiss EM 109 electron microscope.