Parasitology, Harold W. Manter Laboratory of
Date of this Version
12-1999
Abstract
Cysticercosis in a canine host (Canis jamiliaris) attributable to the taeniid cestode Taenia crassiceps is reported for the first time in North America. Numerous parent and daughter cysticerci occurred in a massive intrapleural and intraperitoneal infection in an apparently immunocompromised host. The largest cysticerci were ovoid to elongate. 5-9 mm in maximum length. and armed with 32-34 rostellar hooks in two rows; small hooks measured 114-143 μm long (avg. = 124 ± 8.2 μm). and large hooks were 156-180 μm (avg. = 163 ± 7.4 μm). Taenia crassiceps is widespread in boreal North America and, like a number of other taeniids, constitutes a potential risk as a zoonotic parasite. The immunological status of the host may be important in determining the outcome of infections for this and other taeniids in atypical hosts.
Comments
Published in the Journal of Parasitology (December 1999) 85(6): 1,174-1,178.