Oesophagostomum

Oesophagostomum is from the superfamily Strongyloidea. The female is larger than the male at around 2cm in length. The family is characterized by a large buccal capsule, and has leaf crowns surrounding the mouth.

O. radiatum

Also known as:

Nodular worm

Hosts

Cattle and buffalo.

Identification

O. radiatum are thin white worms around 2cm in length. In the male, the bursa is large and well developed. In both the male and the female, there are numerous leaf crowns surrounding the mouth, and there is a bottle necked appearance on the anterior end.

Life Cycle

Infection of the host is via ingestion of L3. They moult and transform into L4 within the small and large intestine. The larvae move to the colon where they mature into adults.

The prepatent period is 35-40 days.

O. dentatum

Also known as:

Nodular worm

Hosts

Pigs.

Identification

The adults are around 1cm in length, and have shallow buccal capsules.

Life Cycle

The larvae enter the intestine, and burrow into the wall where they remain for several weeks, forming nodules. The larvae then re-enter the lumen of the intestine where they mature, and lay eggs.

The prepatent period is 40-50 days.