Bertiella mucronata

A species of tapeworm that infects primates and occasionally humans

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Bertiella mucronata
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Platyhelminthes
Class:	Cestoda
Order:	Cyclophyllidea
Family:	Anoplocephalidae

Bertiella mucronata is a species of tapeworm belonging to the family Anoplocephalidae. It primarily infects non-human primates but can occasionally infect humans, causing a condition known as bertielliasis.

Morphology

Bertiella mucronata is characterized by its segmented body, typical of cestodes, with a scolex that attaches to the host's intestinal wall. The segments, or proglottids, contain reproductive organs and are released in the host's feces.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Bertiella mucronata involves two hosts. The adult tapeworm resides in the intestines of a primate host, where it releases eggs into the environment through the host's feces. These eggs are ingested by an intermediate host, typically an oribatid mite, where they develop into cysticercoids. When a primate ingests an infected mite, the cysticercoid develops into an adult tapeworm in the primate's intestine.

Epidemiology

Bertiella mucronata is found in tropical and subtropical regions where its primate hosts reside. Human infections are rare and typically occur in individuals who have close contact with non-human primates or their habitats.

Clinical Presentation

In humans, infection with Bertiella mucronata may be asymptomatic or cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Diagnosis is made by identifying eggs or proglottids in stool samples.

Treatment

The treatment for bertielliasis involves the use of antiparasitic medications such as praziquantel or niclosamide, which are effective in eliminating the tapeworm from the host's intestine.

Prevention

Preventive measures include avoiding contact with non-human primates and their habitats, as well as practicing good hygiene and sanitation to reduce the risk of ingesting infected mites.

Also see

• Cestoda
• Tapeworm infection
• Praziquantel
• Anoplocephalidae