Cysticercus tenuicollis Vesicle in Fetal Structures: Report of a Case

Abstract

Cysticercus tenuicollis is the larval stage of the canine tapeworm Taenia hydatigena, the presence of which has been reported in wild and domestic ruminants all over the world. It is a common parasite of small ruminants in the north of Portugal. C. tenuicollis is generally seen attached to the omenta, the mesenteries or also found in the liver. In the ewe, tissue lesions have been associated with degenerative cysts or with oncosphere migrations. Unusual locations of the cysticerci of T. hydatigena have been described. The most frequent unusual locations are in the lungs, the kidneys and the brain. Less common locations have been reported to occur in the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina. In the case described here, and for the first time, an aberrant location of a C. tenuicollis vesicle was found inside the chorion-allantoic membrane of a goat's foetus, in a gemelar gestation of approximately 70 days. Finding a C. tenuicollis vesicle inside fetal membranes forewarns of the possibility of larval migrations into the fetal structures during pregnancy, which is particularly concerning in human populations that are infested.

Prevalence and risk factors for Cysticercus tenuicollis in goats and sheep in Paraíba, northeastern Brazil

“…The mesentery was the site with the second highest prevalence. Similar results were obtained by Al-Bayati et al (2012) in Iraq; Wondimu et al (2011) in Ethiopia;and Payan-Carreira et al (2008) in Portugal, with highest prevalence in the omentum, followed by the mesentery.…”

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Goat Isolate ofTaenia hydatigenain Turkey

“…Metacestodes are found attached to the omentum, mesentery, and occasionally on the liver surface; however, unusual locations of C. tenuicollis have been described as lungs, kidneys, brain, ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. An aberrant location of C. tenuicollis vesicle inside the chorioallantoic membrane of a goat foetus was reported [4]. Pathogenicity of adult parasites is not high for definitive hosts.…”

Hematological, biochemical and pathological findings in goats naturally infection with Cysticercus tenuicollis

“…The adult stage of Cysticercus tenuicollis (Taenia hydatigena) has been reported in the small intestine of a large number of hosts including dogs, cats, mice and wild carnivores, including wolf and the fox throughout the world (Payan-Carreira et al 2008;Senlik 2008). The intermediate hosts, most commonly sheep and goats, become infected by ingesting proglottids or eggs, passed in the feces of the dog in pastures or feeding areas (Kaufmann 1996).…”