The development of Taenia pisiformis in various definitive host species

Abstract

In pups experimentally infected with T. pisiformis evagination and attachment of cysticerci occurred in the small intestine, proglottization was initiated 3–5 DAI and gravid cestodes were recovered on and after 35 DAI. Establishment in fox cubs ( Vulpes vulpes) was similar but only a few worms had become gravid by 70 DAI. T. pisiformis developed slowly in kittens and although reaching sexual maturity 21 DAI, infections were lost before worms became gravid. Cysticerci fed to ferrets ( Mustela putorius) evaginated in the small intestine but failed to attach and passed rapidly into the colon. No significant host-induced effects on morphological features of the parasites, apart from their sizes and rates of development, were detected.