Preliminary Investigation on Natural Infection of Spirometra Procercoid in Cyclops from Tarangire National Park Tanzania

Abstract

A survey was conducted on the natural infection of Spirometra procercoids in Cyclops from water ponds in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.  Spirometra is an intestinal tapeworm of wild and domesticated carnivores that is most commonly seen in Asian countries. The global prevalence of Spirometra in reptiles, frogs, dogs and cats has been reported. The presence of procercoids in the body cavities of 84 Cyclops taken from ponds in Tarangire National Park was investigated. The Cyclops were sedated with carbonated water before being studied under a compound microscope. Six Cyclops were discovered to have Spirometra procercoids in their bodily cavities. Procercoids featured elongate bodies, calcareous corpuscles, and a smooth body surface. The average length was 101.7m and the width was 71.7m. Each infected Cyclops only had one procercoid. This is the first report of Spirometra procercoid infection in a Cyclops from Tanzania. Based to the conclusions, Cyclops are the first intermediate hosts in the life cycle of Spirometra species in Tanzania.