title: Asynchronous capsule formation in the gastrointestinal tract of the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) induced by Mesocestoides sp. tetrathyridia.
abstract: The prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) was experimentally infected with tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp. Individual snakes were killed at 4 wk increments, and sections of the stomach, small intestine, large intestine and attached mesenteries were examined for nonencapsulated and encapsulated tetrathyridia. Capsule formation was asynchronous with 9 to 80% encapsulated metacestodes. The distribution of tetrathyridia in the wall of all segments of the gastrointestinal tract is presented as evidence that this metacestode is principally a tissue dwelling parasite.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, California 92350.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Widmer
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Specht
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002590:Cestode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008645:Mesocestoides / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012911:Snakes / Q000469:parasitology*