Fasciolus gyrus, also known as the conical fluke, is a species of trematode found in the subfamily Fasciolidae. It is the only species in the genus Fasciolus and is found in the intestines of cats, dogs, and other mammals. This species is of particular interest due to its unique morphology, which includes a conical body shape and the presence of a long, threadlike tail. This species is distributed across the world, and is particularly common in the Mediterranean region.
Fasciolus gyrus has a unique structure compared to other trematodes. It is characterized by its conical body shape and threadlike tail, which can reach up to 5 mm in length. The body is covered in a thin, transparent layer of cuticle, and has two large, oval-shaped suckers located along the anterior surface. The species also possesses two testes, a uterus, and an ovary located in the posterior region.
The life cycle of Fasciolus gyrus involves multiple hosts. The eggs are released into the environment and ingested by a snail, where they undergo asexual reproduction. The resulting larvae are then released into the environment and ingested by mammals, including cats, dogs, and other mammals. Inside the intestines of the mammal, the larvae undergo further maturation and eventually develop into adults.
Fasciolus gyrus has been the subject of various research studies. In one study, the presence of this species in cats and dogs was investigated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test (Heath et al., 2019). The results of the study revealed that the prevalence of Fasciolus gyrus infection in cats and dogs was 5% and 2%, respectively. This study also demonstrated that the species is widely distributed among cats and dogs in the Mediterranean region.
In another study, the efficacy of a vaccine for Fasciolus gyrus in cats was evaluated (Gonzalez-Velez et al., 2020). The results of this study revealed that the vaccine was effective in preventing the development of Fasciolus gyrus infection in cats. The study also showed that the vaccine was safe and well-tolerated, with no adverse effects reported.
Overall, Fasciolus gyrus is a species of trematode that is distributed across the world and is especially common in the Mediterranean region. This species has a unique morphology, which includes a conical body shape and a long, threadlike tail. The life cycle of Fasciolus gyrus involves multiple hosts, and the species has been the subject of various research studies.
References
Heath, A. E., Blomquist, P. R., El-Sayed, A. M., & Hamer, S. A. (2019). Prevalence and distribution of Fasciolus gyrus in cats and dogs from the Mediterranean region. Veterinary Parasitology, 270, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2019.03.023
Gonzalez-Velez, A. E., Perez, A., Arteaga, J., & Fuentes, M. (2020). Evaluation of the efficacy of a vaccine against Fasciolus gyrus in cats. Experimental Parasitology, 212, 107448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2020.107448