Natural life cycle of Versteria cuja (Taeniidae) in Argentina and histopathology of metacestodiasis in intermediate hosts

BAGNATO, ESTEFANÍA; ACUÑA, FRANCISCO; BROOK, FEDERICO; MARTIN, GABRIEL MARIO; BARBEITO, CLAUDIO GUSTAVO; DIGIANI, MARÍA CELINA

PARASITOLOGY

CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS

Año: 2023 p. 1 - 30

0031-1820

Using morphological and molecular studies, the life cycle of Taeniidae) was elucidated, involving Versteria cuja (Cestoda: subterranean rodents (Ctenomyidae) as intermediate hosts, and the lesser grison, Galictis cuja (Mustelidae), as definitive host. Metacestodes (cysticerci and polycephalic larvae) were found mainly in the liver but also in spleen, pancreas, lungs and small intestine of two species of tuco Chubut, Argentina. Identity of thetucos ( Ctenomys metacestodes with the adult was based number, size and shape of rostellar hooks : 40spp.) from primarily on the 48 hooks in two rows, particularly small (10 16 µm total length by 6 characteristic shapes. G10 µm wide), composed of handle, blade and guard with enetic both intermediate hosts analysis (cox1 gen mtDNA) performed on metacestodes from corroborated their conspecificity with adults of grisons in the same locality. Histopathological study showed the hepatic parenchyma altered by the presenc with inflammatory infiltrate, atrophied hepatocytes and an This is the first report of a natural life cycle of a Versteria V. cujafrom lesser e of cysts containing larvae, each surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue increase of bile ducts. In the lung, in addition to the cysts, dilated alveoli, edema and hyperemic blood vesse Versteria ls were observed. species from South America. It shows strong similarities with that described for a North American zoonotic lineage of , confirming a close relationship between V. cu ja and this North American lineage, as previously demonstrated by molecular studies. Consequently, the zoonotic potential of cuja should not be disregarded.