Effect of population density on growth and development of Taenia hydatigena in dogs

Molecular characterization of Cysticercus tenuicollis isolates from sheep in the Nile Delta, Egypt and a review on Taenia hydatigena infections worldwide

The predator–prey-transmitted cestode Taenia hydatigena infects a wide range of definitive and intermediate hosts all over the world. Domestic and sylvatic cycles of transmission are considered as well. The parasite has considerable economic importance, particularly in sheep. Here, the molecular characters of T. hydatigena cysticerci in sheep from the Nile Delta, Egypt were investigated for the first time. For this purpose, 200 sheep carcasses and their offal were inspected at the municipal abattoir, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt. Cysticerci of T. hydatigena were collected and molecularly characterized employing the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Cysticerci were found in 42 (21%) sheep, mostly attached to the omenti, mesenteries and livers. After molecular confirmation, nine isolates were sequenced displaying six different haplotypes. Analysis of the T. hydatigena 12S rRNA nucleotide sequences deposited in GenBank revealed 55 haplotypes out of 69 isolates, displaying high haplotype (0.797) and low nucleotide (0.00739) diversities. For the Tajima D neutrality index, a negative value (−2.702) was determined, indicating the population expansion of the parasite. Additionally, global data summarized in this study should be useful to set up effective control strategies against this ubiquitous parasite.

Population dynamics in echinococcosis and cysticercosis: evaluation of the biological parameters of Taenia hydatigena and T. ovis and comparison with those of Echinococcus granulosus

An evaluation has been made of the biological and epidemiological parameters that determine the basic reproductive rates of Taenia hydatigena and T. ovis. These host-parasite systems are characterized by (i) no overcrowding in either host; (ii) no parasite-induced mortality of either host; (iii) no density-dependent constraint in the definitive host, but a strong, rapidly mobilized, short-acting immunity in the intermediate host and (iv) egg production which, in the natural environment, is high enough to prevent superinfection. It is considered that tapeworms with these characteristics are more stable to fluctuations in environmental conditions and to control measures such as dog dosing, than species which have a low egg production and infectivity such as Echinococcus granulosus. Reciprocal immunity exists between T. hydatigena and T. ovis in sheep. Exposure to T. hydatigena suppresses infection by T. ovis, but not by E. granulosus. This has important epidemiological consequences where these parasites co-exist.