Asexually proliferous tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp. in the hepatic portal system of the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis).
A female prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) was gastric intubated with 250 tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides sp. The snake was killed 12 wk postinfection; a portion of the liver was examined histologically for evidence of tetrathyridia. Five tetrathyridia were seen in two hepatic portal triad vessels. We propose that a blood-borne metastasis of tetrathyridia in reptiles and rodents may occur.
Engen
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PC
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, California 92350-0002.
Widmer
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EA
D000818:Animals; D002590:Cestode Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000469:parasitology*; D008645:Mesocestoides / Q000254:growth & development*; D011168:Portal System / Q000469:parasitology*; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000469:parasitology; D012911:Snakes / Q000469:parasitology*