A comparison of the sites of acid phosphatase activity in an adult filaria, Setaria sp. and in some gastro -intestinal nematodes

Abstract

SUMMARYThe histochemical localization of acid phosphatase in an adult filaria, Setaria sp. obtained from the peritoneal cavity of a cow was closely examined and compared with that of adult nematodes parasitic in the host alimentary canal; special attention was paid to the intestine and body wall of the parasites. Setaria sp. was found to show high acid phosphatase activity in the interchordal hypodermis of the body wall and uterine microfilariae, and similar activity is suspected to occur in the cuticle. The intestine of this nematode exhibited very low, if any, activity. In contrast, nematodes parasitic on the alimentary canal, such as Toxocara cati, T. canis, Physaloptera sp. and Ancylostoma caninum, showed no activity in the body wall and very high activity in the luminal surface of their intestine. The possible function of the abundant acid phosphatase in the body wall of this filaria is discussed.

Electron microscope observations on Onchocerca ochengi and O. fasciata (Nematoda: Filarioidea)

“…Acid phosphatase has been demonstrated in this region of the hypodermis. In other nematodes this enzyme is only present in the intestinal epithelium (Maki and Yanagisawa 1980;Howells and Chen 1981). Furthermore, Omar et al (1993) found non-speci®c esterases in the hypodermis of O. fasciata, which are probably involved in lipid metabolism.…”