Taenia hydatigena

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Taenia hydatigena - - Print - Iconographia Zoologica - Special Collections University of Amsterdam - UBAINV0274 105 19 0037

Taenia hydatigena is a tapeworm species belonging to the genus Taenia, which is part of the family Taeniidae. This parasitic worm is known for its lifecycle involving dogs and canids as definitive hosts and ruminants (such as sheep, goats, and cattle) as intermediate hosts. Taenia hydatigena is of significant interest in both veterinary and medical parasitology due to its impact on livestock health and its potential zoonotic implications.

Lifecycle

The lifecycle of Taenia hydatigena is indirect and involves two hosts. Adult tapeworms reside in the intestines of the definitive hosts, where they release eggs that are expelled with the feces into the environment. When intermediate hosts ingest these eggs, the eggs hatch in the intestine, releasing oncospheres that penetrate the intestinal wall and migrate through the bloodstream to the liver and other organs. Here, they develop into cysticerci, the larval stage of the tapeworm, which is known as Cysticercus tenuicollis. When definitive hosts consume organs containing these cysts, the cycle is completed as the cysts develop into adult tapeworms in the intestines.

Morphology

Adult Taenia hydatigena tapeworms can reach lengths of several meters, although individual segments are much smaller. The worm is characterized by its scolex, which has hooks and suckers for attachment to the intestinal wall of the definitive host. The cysticercus stage, Cysticercus tenuicollis, is notable for its fluid-filled bladder and an invaginated scolex.

Pathogenicity

In definitive hosts, Taenia hydatigena generally causes minimal harm. However, in intermediate hosts, the migration of larvae can cause significant damage to liver tissue, leading to a condition known as "liver white spot" due to the appearance of the lesions. This can result in economic losses in livestock production due to liver condemnation at slaughter. In rare cases, humans can become accidental intermediate hosts, leading to cysticercosis, although Taenia hydatigena is less commonly implicated in human infections compared to other species like Taenia solium.

Prevention and Control

Control measures for Taenia hydatigena focus on breaking the lifecycle of the parasite. This includes proper disposal of canine feces, preventing dogs from feeding on the carcasses of infected ruminants, and regular deworming of dogs with effective anthelmintics. In livestock, good farm management practices and regular health monitoring can reduce the risk of infection.

Economic Impact

The economic impact of Taenia hydatigena is primarily related to the livestock industry. Infected animals may suffer from reduced growth rates and liver damage, leading to financial losses due to condemned livers during meat inspection. The presence of this parasite can also affect trade restrictions for livestock and livestock products.