On the histology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the cysticercoid of Raillietina cesticillus (Molin, 1858) Fuhrmann, 1920 (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea)

Abstract

The structure of the cysticercoid of Raillietina cesticillus has been studied with the aid of light and electron microscopes. While the ultrastructure of the superficial parts of the scolex closely resembles that of other cestodes, the fine structure of the cyst wall differs from both these. The arrangement and functions of the tissues in the cyst wall are discussed and interpreted with reference to the tissues of the scolex of the cysticercoid of R. cesticillus and to the tissues of other cestodes. R. cesticillus cysticercoids, subjected to various histochemical tests, were shown to contain proteins and carbohydrate materials.The author wishes to thank the Principal and Governors of West Ham College of Technology, a constituent college of the North-east London Polytechnic, for their general and financial support of this work. Thanks are also due to the Directors and Governors of the several institutions whose electron microscopes the author used. The work described here forms part of a thesis approved by the University of London for the degree of Ph.D.