Observations onEchinococcus multilocularis in the definitive host

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Six dogs were found to be susceptible to experimental infections with a European isolate ofEchinococcus multilocularis from southern Germany. Two cats were only poorly susceptible. Adult worms were not evenly distributed throughout the small intestine and the majority of parasites were found in the posterior region. The mode of attachment ofE. multilocularis in the dog was similar to that forE. granulosus with the adult worm extending its rostellum deep within a crypt of Lieberkühn. In cats only few worms were found to have penetrated deeply between the villi.E. multilocularis was found to possess a modified group of rostellar tegumental cells, morphologically and functionally identical to those described inE. granulosus and previously referred to as the “rostellar gland”. By studying development in vivo and in vitro, the time required for the production of shelled eggs was demonstrated to be only 28 days. Concurrent experimental infections in dogs withE. multilocularis andE. granulosus revealed that both species will develop together in the same host. Their development was not retarded in any way by the presence of the other and both species were able to coexist in the same area of the intestine.