Comparative strobilar development of Echinococcus granulosus of sheep origin from different geographical areas of Australia in vivo and in vitro

Kumaratilake, L.M., Thompson, R.C.A. and Dunsmore, J.D. (1983) Comparative strobilar development of Echinococcus granulosus of sheep origin from different geographical areas of Australia in vivo and in vitro. International Journal for Parasitology, 13 (2). pp. 151-156.

Abstract

Consistent differences in the growth, segmentation and maturation of Echinococcus granulosus in dogs were demonstrated between the parasite of Tasmanian sheep origin and that of Eastern and Western Australian sheep origin. These results were complemented by in vitro studies which found that Tasmanian E. granulosus produced eggs approx. 7 days earlier than the parasite of Eastern and Western Australian origin. These results support the suggestion that at least two distinct strains of E. granulosus of domestic animal origin exist in Australia. The significance of the differences in development demonstrated in this study is discussed.