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. 2024 Nov;14(11):2989-2994.
doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i11.27. Epub 2024 Nov 30.

Ultrastructural morphology of second and third-stage larvae of Toxocara cati inside paratenic host tissue

Letitia Amanda Theja  1 , Kusnoto Kusnoto  2 , Martia Rani Tacharina  3 , Lucia Tri Suwanti  2 , Mufasirin Mufasirin  2 , Poedji Hastutiek  2 , Suhita Aryaloka  4 , Aswin Rafif Khairullah  5 , Ikechukwu Benjamin Moses  6 , Ricadonna Raissa  7 , Putri Wahyu Mulyaningrum  1 , Sheila Marty Yanestria  8 , Katty Hendriana Priscilia Riwu  9
Affiliations

Ultrastructural morphology of second and third-stage larvae of Toxocara cati inside paratenic host tissue

Letitia Amanda Theja et al. Open Vet J. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Background: Toxocara cati is a known cause of a zoonotic infectious illness called toxocariasis. Parathenic hosts are important as they can transmit larvae 2 (L2) through direct transmission. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques are needed to provide a three-dimensional image of each stage of T. cati larvae.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the morphology of L2 and L3 T. cati in parathenic host tissue for etiological diagnosis using SEM.

Methods: Mice were used as suitable paratenic hosts for this experiment. A total of 786 embryonated eggs (16 eggs/gram body weight) containing L2 were inoculated into pregnant mice at day 11-13 of its gestation period. After delivery, L2 was transmitted to the off-spring. After 14 days, L2 was collected from mice, and L3 was collected from its off-spring. Data were analyzed descriptively based on ultrastructure examination using SEM.

Results: SEM examination results indicate that the size of L2 is smaller than L3. Results also showed differences between L2 and L3 based on middle and posterior observations. In the middle of the larval body, the number of L2 body rings was observed to be narrower and more than that of L3. In addition, the distance between L2 body rings was much larger than that of L3. Posteriorly, the tail tip of L3 was more curved than L2.

Conclusion: Ultrastructural examination using SEM has the ability to show differences in L2 and L3 body rings of T. cati by observing the middle and posterior parts of its larvae.

Keywords: Larvae; Parathenic host; Scanning electron microscopy; Toxocara cati; Zoonosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.. L2 and L3 T. cati (1000x); (A) L3 in mouse offspring; (B) L2 in adult mice. A = Anterior, P = Posterior.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.. The middle part of L2 of T. cati (20000x). LA = Lateral alae, BR = Body ring.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.. The middle part of the L3 of T. cati (20,000x). LA = Lateral alae, BR = Body ring.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.. Anterior section of L2 in adult mouse tissue (20,000x). CA = Cervical alae, DL = Dorsal lips, KT = Cuticle.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.. Posterior section of L2 in adult mouse tissue (10,000x). AP = Anal pore, BR = Body ring, TL = Tail.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 6.. Posterior section of L3 in mouse tissue (20,000x). AP = Anal pore, BR = Body ring, TL = Tail.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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