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Anoplocephala (view source)

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Several species of ''Anoplocephala'' occur in equidae, but ''A. perfoliata'' is the only common species in the UK. It is an equine cestode, more commonly known as a tapeworm. It is currently commonly seen in horses within the UK, usually affecting younger horses.

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===Identification===

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=== ~~Recognition~~ ===

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Superficially, ''A. perfoliata'' looks more like a trematode than a tapeworm, but closer inspection reveals that the body compromises many segments that are wide, but very short. These parasites have no hooks, but do have large suckers that allow the parasite to attach to the mucosal surface. An adult may be 4-8cm in length.

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*Superficially, ''A. perfoliata'' looks more like a trematode than a tapeworm, but closer inspection reveals that the body compromises many segments that are wide, but very short.

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The gravid segment contains characteristic eggs with a ‘rounded triangular’ shape, which are around 70μm long. The oncosphere is contained in the ‘pyriform apparatus’ (a chitinous ring with two projections).

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*It typically grows to approximately 5cm, but ~~can~~ be ~~longer~~.

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*The gravid segment contains characteristic eggs with a ‘rounded triangular’ shape.

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*The oncosphere is contained in the ‘pyriform apparatus’ (a chitinous ring with two projections).

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*The eggs do not float well in the flotation fluids used in routine faecal examination and may be overlooked. Special techniques are required for this purpose, but none are reliable. An ELISA has therefore been developed to demonstrate specific antibodies in blood.

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=== Life-Cycle ===

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They attach to the mucosa and into adults in around 6- 10 weeks. The adults live in the '''ileum''', at the '''ileocaecocolic valve''', and within the '''caecum'''. The adults are capable of shedding large numbers of eggs.

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The adults live for 4-6 months, and disease is most commonly seen between October and November.

The prepatent period is 6-10 weeks.

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''A. perfoliata'' is found mainly in the caecum, clustered around the ileo-caecal junction, where it causes superficial ulceration and mild inflammation. Generally, it is of little clinical significance, but epidemiological evidence suggests that heavy infections (greater than 20 tapeworms) are a significant risk factor in some forms of colic.

[[Category:Anoplocephalidae]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]

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