Presence of <i>Spirometra mansoni</i>, Causative Agent of Sparganosis, in South America
Jan Brabec, Manuel Uribe, Jenny J. Chaparro-Gutiérrez, Carlos Hermosilla
Abstract
We report molecular identification of an adult Spirometra mansoni tapeworm retrieved from a crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) in Colombia, confirming presence of this parasite in South America. This tapeworm is the causative agent of human sparganosis, commonly reported from Southeast Asia, and represents the second congeneric species with known zoonotic potential in the Americas.
Topics & Concepts
SparganosisBiologyParasite hostingHelminthsZoologyHelminthiasisCysticercosisZoonosisClonorchis sinensisCestode infectionsPathologyVirologyMedicineWorld Wide WebComputer scienceParasitic infections in humans and animalsParasite Biology and Host InteractionsParasites and Host Interactions