Paramphistomatidae

Paramphistomatidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Platyhelminthes
Class: Trematoda
Subclass: Digenea
Order: Echinostomida
Family: Paramphistomatidae
Fischoeder, 1901

Paramphistomatidae is a family of flukes which are parasitic on herbivorous mammals, and sometimes humans. All members are obligate parasites requiring a mammalian host and snails for completion of their life cycle. The adult worms are found in the intestinal tract and liver. The body is characterised by leaf-like fleshy structure with a large posterior sucker.[1]

Genera

The family includes the following genera:

  • Allassostoma
  • Allassostomoides
  • Calicophoron
  • Chiorchis
  • Cleptodiscus
  • Cotylophoron
  • Megalodiscus
  • Ophioxenos
  • Paramphistomum
  • Pisciamphistoma
  • Pseudophisthodiscus
  • Stichorchis
  • Wardius
  • Zygocotyle

Identification

They are monoecious with complete reproductive system. Their identifying characters include location of testes, which are usually near the middle portion of the body, and ovary posterior to the testes. The infective metacercaria are encysted and attached on plants, from which mammals get the infection through ingestion.[2] Depending on the species, they reside in the intestine, rumen or liver.[3][4]

Pathology

Many of the species are responsible for a serious disease called paramphistomiasis, especially in cattle and sheep. Its symptoms include fetid diarrhoea, anaemia, lethargy, and often result in death if untreated.[3][5]

References

  1. ↑ Olsen OW (1974). Animal Parasites: Their Life Cycles and Ecology (3 ed.). Dover Publications, Inc., New York/University Park Press, Baltimore, US. pp. 273–274. ISBN 0486651266.
  2. ↑ Bowman DD, Georgi JR (2008). Georgis' Parasitology for Veterinarians (9 ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. p. 124. ISBN 1416044124.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sanabria REF, Romero JR (2008). "Review and update of paramphistomosis". Helminthologia 45 (2): 64–68. doi:10.2478/s11687-008-0012-5.
  4. ↑ Dinnik JA (1965). "The snail hosts of certain Paramphistomatidae and Gastrothylacidae (Trematoda) discovered by the late Dr. P. L. LeRoux in Africa". Journal of Helminthology 39 (2-3): 141–150. doi:10.1017/S0022149X00020551.
  5. ↑ Horak IG (1971). "Paramphistomiasis of domestic ruminants". Advances in Parasitology 9 (1): 33-72. doi:10.1016/s0065-308x(08)60159-1. PMID 4927976.

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