Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T06:25:54.408Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Fasciola gigantica: surface topography of the adult tegument

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2024

T. Dangprasert
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
W. Khawsuk
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
A. Meepool
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
C. Wanichanon
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
V. Viyanant
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
E.S. Upatham
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
S. Wongratanacheevin
Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
P. Sobhon*
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
*
*Author for correspondence, Fax: 662 2479880, E-mail: scpso@ mahidol.ac.th
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Adult Fasciola gigantica are leaf-shaped with tapered anterior and posterior ends and measure about 35 mm in length and 15 mm in width across the mid section. Under the scanning electron microscope its surface appears rough due to the presence of numerous spines and surface foldings. Both oral and ventral suckers have thick rims covered with transverse folds and appear spineless. On the anterior part of the ventral surface of the body, the spines are small and closely-spaced. Each spine has a serrated edge with 16 to 20 sharp points, and measures about 20 μm in width and 30 μm in height. In the mid-region the spines increase in size (up to 54 μm in width and 58 μm in height) and number, especially towards the lateral aspect of the body. Towards the posterior end the spines progressively decrease in both size and number. The tegumental surface between the spines appears highly corrugated with transverse folds alternating with grooves. At higher magnifications the surface of each fold is further increased with a meshwork of small ridges separated by variable-sized pits or slits. There are three types of sensory papillae on the surface. Types 1 and 2 are bulbous, measuring 4–6 μm in diameter at the base with nipple-like tips, and the type 2 also have short cilia. Type 3 papillae are also bulbous and of similar size but with a smooth surface. These sensory papillae usually occur in clusters, each having between 2 and 15 units depending on the region of the body. Clusters of papillae on the lateral aspect (usually types 1 and 2) and around the suckers (type 3) tend to be more numerous and larger in size. The dorsal side of the body exhibits similar surface features, but the spines and papillae appear less numerous and are smaller. Corrugation and invaginations of the surface are also less extensive than on the ventral side of the body.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

References

Apinhasmit, W., Sobhon, P., Saitongdee, P. & Upatham, E.S. (1993) Opisthorchis viverrini: changes of the tegumental surface in newly excysted juvenile, first-week and adult flukes. International Journal for Parasitology 23, 829839.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bennett, C.E. (1975a) Surface features, sensory structures and movement of the newly excysted juvenile Fasciola hepatica . Journal of Parasitology 61, 886891.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bennett, C.E. (1975b) Scanning electron microscopy of Fasciola hepatica during growth and maturation in the mouse. Journal of Parasitology 61, 892898.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boray, J.C. (1985) Flukes of domestic animals. pp. 179278 in Gaafar, S.M., Howard, W.E. & Marsh, R.E. (Eds) Parasites, pests and predators. New York, Elsevier.Google Scholar
Chitchung, S., Ratanaikom, N. & Mitranun, W. (1992) Fasciola hepatica in human pancreas: a case report. Journal of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine Association of Thailand 5, 113.Google Scholar
Edney, J.M. & Muchlis, A. (1962) Fascioliasis in Indonesian livestock. Communication Veterinarae 6, 4952.Google Scholar
Fabiyi, J.P. (1987) Production losses and control of helminths in ruminants of tropical regions. International Journal for Parasitology 17, 435442.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hockley, D.J. (1973) Ultrastructure of tegument of Schistosoma . Advances in Parasitology 11, 233305.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hockley, D.J. & McLaren, D.J. (1973) Schistosoma mansoni: change in the outer membrane of the tegument during development from cercaria to adult worm. International Journal for Parasitology 3, 1325.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hockley, D.J. & McLaren, D.J. (1977) Scanning electron microscopy of eight species of Schistosoma . Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 71, 292.Google Scholar
Jinxin, M. & Yixun, H. (1981) Scanning electron microscopy of Chinese (mainland) strain Schistosoma japonicum . Chinese Medical Journal 94, 6370.Google Scholar
Maurice, J. (1994) Is something lurking in your liver?. New Scientist 1917, 2631.Google Scholar
Overend, D.J. & Bower, F.L. (1995) Resistance of Fasciola hepatica to triclabendazole. Australian Veterinary Journal 72, 275276.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pholpark, M. & Srikitjakara, L. (1989) The control of parasitism in swamp buffalo and cattle in north-east Thailand. pp. 244249. International Seminar on Animal Health and Production Service for Village Livestock. Khon Kaen, Thailand.Google Scholar
Scholz, T., Ditrich, O. & Giboda, M. (1992) Study on the surface morphology of the developmental stages of the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini (Trematoda: Opisthorchidae). Annales de Parasitologie Humaine et Comparee 67, 8290.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sobhon, P. & Upatham, E.S. (1990) Snail hosts, life-cycle, and tegumental structure of oriental schistosomes. UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. pp. 5788.Google Scholar
Sobhon, P., Anantavara, S., Dangprasert, T., Viyanant, V., Krailas, D., Upatham, E.S., Wanichanon, C. & Kusamran, T. (1998) Fasciola gigantica: studies of the tegument as a basis for the developments of immunodiagnosis and vaccine. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 29, 387400.Google ScholarPubMed
Soesetya, R.H.B. (1975) The prevalence of Fasciola gigantica infection in cattle in East Java, Indonesia. Malaysian Veterinary Journal 6, 58.Google Scholar
Sukhapesna, V., Tantasuvan, D., Sarataphan, N. & Sangiumluksana, S. (1990) A study on epidermiology of liver fluke infection in buffaloes. Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine 20, 527534.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sukhapesna, V., Tantasuvan, D., Sarataphan, N. & Imsup, K. (1994) Economic impact of fascioliasis in buffalo production. Journal of the Thai Veterinary Medical Association 45, 4552.Google Scholar