| RESEARCH ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 1 | Page : 13-26 |
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Cysticercus pisiformis: ultrastructural transformation of the tegument during development from oncosphere to cysticercus
Nahla A Radwan1, Mahmoud N El Sefy2, Said A Noor El Din1, Hewaydah E Abou Shafeey1, Samy E Sharaf1, Amal I Khalil1
1 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Tanta, Tanta, Egypt
2 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kafr-El Sheikh, Kafr-El Sheikh, Egypt
Correspondence Address:
Amal I Khalil
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Tanta, Tanta, 31527
Egypt
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1687-7942.139686
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Background
Cestode tegument is the barrier that separates the parasite from the host, allowing it to develop and survive the hostile environment of the host. It is the only site for nutrient intake.
Objective
The present study was conducted to reveal the fine structural transformation of the tegument of Taenia pisiformis cysticerci (Cysticercus pisiformis) during development from egg to cysticercus stages.
Materials and methods
The present study records the development of C. pisiformis in experimentally infected domestic rabbits, with special emphasis on the ultrastructural variations within different stages of larval development using both scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopes.
Results
Three to six days postinfection, the early developed scolex appeared as an invaginated thickening at the anterior end of the developed metacestode. The first development of the rostellar hooks and invagination canal was observed 1 week postinfection (PI), where the hooks appeared as minute conical bodies. Complete development of the invagination canal and hook crown was observed 2 weeks later, synchronizing with the onset of sucker differentiation. Fine structural transformation of the tegument included variations in the structure of microtriches (length, density, and shape); distal cytoplasm and parenchymal vesicles and inclusion bodies (size, shape, distribution, and electron density); and tegumental and parenchymal muscles (thickness, orientation, and distribution).
Conclusion
The tegument of different developmental stages of T. pisiformis cysticerci has the same basic pattern, with some variations in the subcellular structures, which supports the suggestion that T. pisiformis can be used as an experimental model in cysticerci research. |
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