Origin of the v. portae and variability of its tributaries in laboratory animals. II. The guinea pig (Cavia aperea f. porcellus)

The authors investigated the origin of the v. portae and variability of its main tributaries in 30 adult guinea pigs (Cavia aperea f. porcellus). The venous bed was visualized by means of blue-dyed latex. The v. portae was formed the most frequently - in 17 cases (56.7%) - by the confluence of three veins - the v. mesenterica cranialis, the v. lienalis and the v. gastroepiploica dextra; less often it was formed from four or five tributaries and in one case only it was formed by union of the v. mesenterica cranialis and the v. lienalis. The v. gastrica sinistra was a tributary of the v. lienalis in 24 cases (80.0%). It arose on the ventral and the dorsal surface of the stomach, in the region adjacent to the curvatura minor ventriculi. In 21 cases (70.0%) it was joined by an independent v. cardiaca. The v. lienalis originated in the hilus lienis, usually as a result of the union of two venous trunks. Inter-organ anastomoses were found in 26 cases (86.7%); in 10 cases (33.3%) they occurred simultaneously between the spleen and the stomach and between the spleen and the pancreas, while in 16 cases (53.3%) they connected the superior pole of the spleen with the stomach. An independent v. gastroepiploica dextra was present in 19 cases (63.3%) as a tributary of the v. portae. In 22 cases it was joined by the v. pylorica. A v. pancreaticoduodenalis cranialis was present in 27 cases (90.0%). In 18 cases (60.0%) it united with the v. gastroepiploica dextra to form a common trunk, the v. gastroduodenalis, which joined the v. portae; in two cases (6.7%) it was an independent tributary of the v. portae. In six cases it was connected with the v. lienalis and in three cases (10.0%) it was replaced by a few vv. pancreaticae emptying into the v. lienalis. A typical v. pancreaticoduodenalis caudalis, as a tributary of the a. mesenterica cranialis, was found in 19 cases (63.3%). In two cases, together with the v. pancreaticoduodenalis cranialis, it formed a single trunk (the v. pancreaticoduodenalis communis). A comparison of the v. portae and its tributaries in the guinea pig and the cat has so far not brought to light any significant morphological differences relative to their different zoological classification and their different modes of life.     

Origin of the v. portae and variability of its tributaries in laboratory animals. III. The laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus var. alba)

The authors studied the origin of the v. portae and the variability of its tributaries in 30 adult laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus v. alba) after injecting blue-dyed latex into the venous bed. In 21 cases (70.0%) the v. portae was formed from three tributaries. In 18 of these cases (60.0%) they were the v. mesenterica cranialis, v. lienalis and v. pancreaticoduodenalis cranialis. In eight cases the v. portae was formed from four or five tributaries and in only one case was it formed from two--the v. mesenterica cranialis and v. lienalis. In 21 cases (70.0%) the v. gastrica sinistra was a tributary of the v. lienalis. It collected blood from the anterior and posterior surface of the stomach and sometimes originated as far away as the curvatura major ventriculi. A v. cardiaca was present in all 30 cases (100%). As a rule (in 28 cases, i.e. 93.3%), it was a tributary of the v. gastrica sinistra. There was likewise a v. pylorica in every case; most frequently this united with the v. pancreaticoduodenalis cranialis, but was also connected with other veins in the vicinity. A v. pancreaticoduodenalis cranialis was always present. In 22 cases (73.3%) it was an independent tributary of the v. portae. In 11 cases (36.7%), there were no vv. gastroepiploicae or equivalent vessels and blood from the stomach was drained mainly by the v. gastrica sinistra. A v. gastroepiploica dextra was present in 11 cases (36.7%), mostly as a tributary of the v. lienalis; in two cases (6.7%) there was a v. gastroepiploica sinistra and in six cases (20%) the place of these veins was taken by vv. gastricae as tributaries of the v. lienalis. In 21 cases (70.0%) the v. lienalis was joined by the v. gastrica sinistra. In 22 cases (73.3%) inter-organ anastomoses between the spleen, stomach and pancreas were found. A v. pancreaticoduodenalis caudalis was always present and in 20 cases (66.7%) it was an independent tributary of the v. mesenterica cranialis. A comparison of the origin of the v. portae and the organization and variability of its tributaries in the rat, cat and guinea pig shows that, in agreement with their position in the zoological system and their mode of life, there was greater similarity between the rat and the guinea pig as regards practically all the veins examined.     

The v. portae of the domestic cat and variability of its tributaries

In the domestic cat the v. portae originates as a thick venous trunk below the liver through confluence of the v. gastrica sinistra, v. lienalis and v. mesenterica cranialis. It was formed in this way in 19 cases, i.e. in 63.3%. Among the aberrations found in the other cases, the most frequent was a common trunk for the v. gastrica sinistra and v. lienalis (6.7%). In 26 cases (86.6%), the v. gastrica sinistra was an independent tributary of the v. portae. A single v. lienalis was found in 27 cases (90.0%). Inter-organ anastomoses were found in the region of the v. lienalis. In 29 cases (96.7%) they connected the cranial part of the spleen with the fundus ventriculi. Inter-organ venous anastomoses between the caudal part of the spleen and the pancreas were found in four cases (13.4%). These anastomoses came from within the spleen and joined the veins of the stomach or the pancreas. In 14 cases (46.6%) the v. mesenterica cranialis originated as the v. colica dextra or v. caecalis. In nine cases (30.0%), in the concavity of the small intestine we found two trunks forming the v. mesenterica cranialis-one from the caecum and the other from the ileum and jejunum. Lastly, in five cases (16.7%) the v. mesenterica cranialis started only from the ileum and jejunum. The most frequent first tributary-in 19 cases (63.3%)-was a venous trunk of varying length formed by union of the v. mesenterica caudalis and the v. colica media, which started in 11 cases (36.7%) as the v. colica dextra.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Veins of the large intestine, stomach and pancreas of the domestic cat and their variability

Most frequently - in 19 cases (63.3%) - the v. colica media was a tributary of a trunk, formed together with the v. mesenterica caudalis, which emptied into the v. mesenterica cranialis. In two cases (6.7%) it emptied independently into the v. mesenterica cranialis. In 25 cases (83.3%) the v. mesenterica caudalis arose from the rectum and, at colon ascendens level, acquired one or more vv. colicae sinistrae. In six cases (19.8%) the v. colica dextra opened into the v. ileocolica and in eight cases (26.7%) it was the initial tributary of an independent v. ileocolica which joined the v. mesenterica cranialis directly. The drainage of venous blood from the stomach is organized as follows: the fundus region is connected to the v. lienalis by means of inter-organ anastomoses. The curvatura minor is drained by means of the v. gastrica sinistra. Venous blood from the region of the curvatura major ventriculi flows partly into the v. lienalis (by way of the vv. gastroepiploicae or small veins) and partly into the v. gastrica sinistra. Drainage of venous blood from the pancreas: a v. pancreaticoduodenalis cranialis was present in 16 cases (53.3%) and a typical v. pancreaticoduodenalis caudalis was found in 12 cases (40.0%). Simultaneous formation of both vv. pancreaticoduodenalis, with a possible incidence of small venous efferents to the v. lienalis, was observed in only nine cases (30.0%). In 21 cases (70%), blood from the region of the flexura duodenojejunalis was drained by the last v. jejunalis; in other cases it drained into the vv. pancreaticoduodenales.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The blood supply of the stomach

156 abdominal preparations were explored by arteriography, corrosion and dissection. The stomach is vascularized by four well-anastomosed main arteries: the arteria gastrica dextra and sinistra and the arteria gastroepiploica dextra and sinistra. Other important vessels include: the arteria gastroduodenalis, the arteriae gastricae breves for the upper half of the greater curvature, a posterior gastric artery (36%), an accessory left gastric artery (12%) and an arteria supraduodenalis. The main vessels give rise to some very specific collaterals, e.g. the omental arteries that may form an omental arcade (44%), supra- and infra-pyloric branches, retroduodenal branches, rami cardiaci, esophagei and tuberales and an accessory left hepatic artery. The gastroduodenal artery always arises at a fixed point.     

Variability of ramification of the a. mesenterica cranialis in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domestica)

The authors studied the ramification of the a. mesenterica cranialis and its variability in 30 domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus, f. domestica, breed New Zealand White). The animals were anaesthetized and red-dyed latex was injected into their arterial bed via the thoracic aorta. In every case (100%), the a. mesenterica cranialis was an independent trunk arising from the abdominal aorta 1.5-2 cm caudally to the origin of the a. coeliaca. We did not observe a truncus coeliaco-mesentericus in our material. In 17 cases (56.7%), the a. pancreaticoduodenalis caudalis was the first branch of the a. mesenterica cranialis. In 28 cases (93.3%) it formed a thick trunk which divided into two main branches to the aboral part of the duodenum and the caudal part of the pancreas respectively; in two cases (6.7%), the a. pancreaticoduodenalis caudalis was duplicated. In only two cases (6.7%), the first branch of the a. mesenterica cranialis was the a. colica media. The a. mesenterica cranialis then divided into two thick trunks to the intestine - the truncus jejunalis and the truncus ileocaecocolicus. Single aa. jejunales branched off successively from the arching truncus jejunalis. The truncus ileocaecocolicus led in a caudal direction and broke up, as a rule, into three arteries supplying the ileum, the caecum and the colon transversum. In 17 cases (56.7%), 1-6 aa. jejunales arose directly from the trunk of the a. mesenterica cranialis and 13-21 from the convexity of the arch of the truncus jejunalis. In 13 cases (43.3%), all the aa. jejunales found (11-23) were branches of the truncus jejunalis. On the mesenteric side of the jejunum, the aa. jejunales forked and formed an arcade from which small branches led to the intestine. In the rabbit we always observed only one arcade; more complex systems were not formed. A truncus ileocaecocolicus, whose branching was characterized by marked variability, was found in all 30 cases (100%). Division of this trunk to an a. ileocaecalis, a. caecocolica and a. colica dextra was observed in only four cases (13.3%). In every case, extensive anastomoses with branches of the a. colica dextra and a. colica sinistra were formed. In general, it can be claimed that the arterial bed of the a. mesenterica cranialis is highly variable. Since little attention has been paid in the literature to variability of the ramification of this artery in different species of mammals, the authors will concentrate, in their next studies, on a detailed investigation of the arterial bed of the abdominal cavity, and of its variability, in further laboratory animals.     

Arterial vascularization of the tail of the pancreas with special reference to the relation of the tail and body vessels

The cauda pancreatis has a characteristic pattern of vascularization. Among the big arterial stems surrounding it, up to 4 arteries, 'caudal arteries', nourish the arterial system of the cauda. These stems originate especially in the Arteria gastroepiploica sinistra and in the lower main splenic branch of the Arteria lienalis. The vascular relations between corpus and cauda can be of different kinds. Five basic types of relations can be identified: type I: the cauda is supplied exclusively by caudal arteries; type II: at least one caudal artery anastomoses with the vessels of the corpus; type III: the cauda is supplied both by the caudal arteries and by vessels of the corpus (non-anastomosing); type IV: combined forms of blood supply by caudal arteries and corpus arteries by way of anastomoses and non-anastomosing vessels are found; type V: the cauda is supplied exclusively be vessels stemming from the corpus. In each of these five types, individual vessels supplying the cauda can assume the function of a terminal vessel.     

Systematisation of the arteries in the splenic hilus

156 abdominal preparations were explored by arteriography, corrosion and dissection. Within the meanders of the splenic artery a basic pattern can be traced. The division of the artery can easily be summarized by introducing the term of a truncus lienogastroepiploicus. The short gastric arteries are always present, and usually they are longer and more important than may appear from their name. In nearly half of the preparations (52%) an artery for the extremitas lienalis posterior is found; an artery for the extremitas lienalis anterior is very exceptional. A posterior gastric artery can be identified (36%) but it must be distinguished from several other vessels. The arteria colli pancreatis (for the neck of the pancreas) is a constant vessel that may have a superior (usually arteria lienalis) or an inferior origin (arteria mesenterica superior). It commonly supplies the transverse pancreatic artery and often the prepancreatic arcade. The arteria corporis pancreatis, too, is a constant artery. The pancreatic tail is thoroughly irrigated by usually more than one arteria caudae pancreatis. An important part of the greater curvature is not accompanied by the left gastroepiploic artery, but is supplied by the arteriae gastricae breves.     

Systemic arterial blood supply to the trachea and lung in sheep

We studied the systemic arterial blood supply to the trachea and lung in adult sheep. After anesthesia, sheep were exsanguinated and then studied by intra-arterial injection of one of the following materials: saline containing dyes of various colors (n = 24), Microfil (n = 8), or Batson's solution (n = 6). The systemic blood supply to the cervical trachea originated from the two common carotid arteries via three to four small branches (rami tracheales cervicales) on each side. A segment of the thoracic trachea between the thoracic inlet and the origin of the tracheal bronchus (bronchus trachealis) and the bronchial tree of the right cranial lobe (lobus cranialis dexter) were supplied by the tracheal bronchial branch (ramus bronchalis trachealis), which originated from the brachiocephalic trunk (truncus brachiocephalicus). A portion of thoracic trachea between the origin of the tracheal bronchus and the tracheal carina was supplied by the thoracic tracheal branch (ramus trachealis thoracica), arising from the bronchoesophageal artery (arteria bronchoesophagea) or directly from the thoracic aorta. The bronchial branch (ramus bronchalis) originated from the bronchoesophageal artery, and its branches supplied the remainder of the bronchial tree. At 120 cmH2O pressure (n = 8), the bronchial branch contributed approximately 50% and the other two approximately 25% each of the total tracheobronchial blood flow. These three branches also supplied the visceral pleura. Additionally, several small vessels (rami pleurales pulmonales) originated from the esophageal branch (ramus esophagea) of the bronchoesophageal artery, traversed the pulmonary ligaments, and supplied the visceral pleura.     

Spontaneous Bleeding in Pancreatitis Treated by Transcatheter Arterial Coil Embolization: A Retrospective Study

Background/Objectives

A rare, but life-threatening complication in pancreatitis is a spontaneous bleeding from intestinal vessels with or without previous formation of (pseudo-) aneurysms. And yet, the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies remain unclear.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with pancreatitis and intraabdominal bleeding at a German tertiary referral center between January 2002 and December 2012.

Results

Bleeding occurred in <1% (14/3,421) of patients with pancreatitis. Most involved vessels were arteria lienalis, arteria gastroduodenalis, and arteria pancreaticoduodenalis. All bleedings could be stopped by transcatheter arterial coil embolization. Recurrent bleeding after coil embolization occurred in 2/14 (14%) patients.

Conclusions

In cases of intraabdominal hemorrhage in patients with pancreatitis, transcatheter arterial coil embolization should be considered as the first interventional procedure.     

Preliminary survey of Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) in Malaysia.

The prevalence of Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft, 1893) infection in a total of 2324 rats trapped from 25 localities in West Malaysia was 15.5%. Infection rates in males (16.0%) and females (15.1%) are similar. A significantly higher percentage of adults (18.1%) than young (7.7%) was infected. Capillaria hepatica infection rates among urban (0.7%) and jungle (0.0%) rats was very low as compared to field rats (17.7%) trapped from agricultural areas such as oil palm estates and rice growing areas. Prevalence of C. hepatica infection in rats is not evenly distributed throughout West Malaysia. There seem to be localised foci of infection. In some areas as many as 77.8% of the adult rats are found to be infected while in other areas the same species of rats are found free of infection.     

Anatomical description of the renal arteries and veins in the European rabbit

The aim of this study was to describe origin, localisation and variations of renal arteries and veins in the rabbit. The study was carried out on 40 adult European rabbits. We prepared corrosion casts of the rabbit arterial and venous system. Spofacryl was used as the casting medium. In 75% of cases the origin of arteriae renales was located at the level of the third lumbar vertebra and in remaining 25% of cases arteria renalis dextra branched off at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. In 10% of cases we observed that the number of arteria renalis sinistra was doubled. We recorded also in one case the presence of arteria renalis accessoria for ren dexter. In 10% of cases we observed that the number of vena renalis sinistra was doubled. In 5% of cases two venae renales sinistrae arose from the kidney and subsequently, about 1 cm from opening to vena cava caudalis, they united to form a single vein. In 5% of cases two venae renales sinistrae arose from the kidney and subsequently, approximately 1 cm away from hilus renalis, they united. The obtained variations of the number of renal arteries were partially homologous to the human, but variations of renal veins were localized on the other side as in human.     

The heart and aortic arches of rhinatrematid caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

Previous studies have shown there to be considerable inter-specific variation in the cardiovascular anatomy of five of the six families of caecilians. Observations on the previously unstudied Rhinatrematidae reveal this family to be characterized by a number of cardiovascular features that are unique within the Gymnophiona. These include a poorly developed sinus venosus sinistra, a short truncus arteriosus, separate carotid and systemic arches and the right atrium larger than the left. Character analysis indicates that these unique features are primitive within the Gymnophiona and they provide considerable additional support for the hypothesis that the Rhinatrematidae are the sister-group to all other caecilians. This hypothesis appears to be among the best supported hypotheses of relationships within the Gymnophiona. Caecilian cardiovascular variation provides a useful source of evidence for phylogeny reconstruction that should be integrated into phylogenetic studies of the group.     

Immunity to Onchocerca lienalis microfilariae in mice. II. Effects of sensitization with a range of heterologous species

The model of Onchocerca lienalis microfilariae (mff) injected into CBA and T.O. strains of mice has been used to examine immunity to skin-dwelling microfilariae following exposure to a range of species of helminths. Mice which had received a primary infection with O. cervicalis mff were significantly resistant to challenge with O. lienalis mff (58% reduction relative to challenge controls). Immunization with the uterine contents (eggs and mff) of O. lienalis, O. gutturosa or O. volvulus conferred equivalent levels of protection against challenge with O. lienalis mff (66 to 75%). Similar results were obtained with immunizations in mice that employed either fresh or freeze-killed eggs of O. gutturosa. Significant reductions in the recoveries of O. lienalis mff were also demonstrated following the intraperitoneal implantation of adult male worms of O. gutturosa (30 to 52%), the adults of either sex of Dipetalonema viteae (60%), or after infection with Trichinella spiralis (27 to 81%). Infections with the trematode, Schistosoma mansoni, had a negligible effect on mff recoveries. It is concluded that partial resistance in mice to Onchocerca mff may be stimulated by factors, yet to be determined, that are neither stage nor species-specific.     

Use of a pre-selected epitope of cathepsin-L1 in a highly specific peptide-based immunoassay for the diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica infections in cattle.

A peptide-based indirect ELISA to detect cattle antibodies against Fasciola hepatica was developed and evaluated for its sensitivity and specificity. An immunogenic antigen released in vitro by F. hepatica was purified. After purification the sequence of the first 20 N-terminal aa of this protein showed considerable homology with cathepsin L-like proteinase. Based on its homology with cathepsin-L1, we further focused on this protein for diagnostic purpose. Predicted B-cell epitopes of cathepsin-L1 were synthesised as single synthetic peptides and tested with respect to their diagnostic potential. An indirect ELISA based on one of these peptides was (i) evaluated further and (ii) compared to the potential of an indirect ELISA with excretion/secretion antigens from adult F. hepatica, or (iii) purified cathepsin-L1. Specificity and sensitivity of the three ELISAs were assessed using sera from calves experimentally infected with pure isolates of Dictyocaulus viviparus, Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia oncophora, Nematodirus helvetianus, Schistosoma mattheei, Ascaris suum, Taenia saginata or F. hepatica, respectively, and sera from parasite-naive calves. In addition, sera were analysed from calves naturally infected with F. hepatica. The sensitivities of all three ELISAs were also very high, 98.9% (i), 100% (ii) and 100% (iii). The specificity of the peptide ELISA was very high, 99.8%, whereas specificities of the ES antigens and cathepsin-L1 ELISAs were only 82.8% and 94.6%. In experimentally infected cattle, F. hepatica-specific antibodies were first detected between days 21 and 28 p.i. with all three ELISAs, and the antibody levels persisted in the peptide ELISA until day 183 p.i. All sera from naturally infected calves were positive in the peptide ELISA. These results demonstrate that the peptide-based F. hepatica ELISA is a useful method for detecting antibodies in the sera from cattle infected with F. hepatica. This type of immunodiagnostic will therefore contribute to more accurate diagnosis and to timely curative treatment of animals.     

First report of Lymnaea columella Say, 1817 (Pulmonata: Lymnaeidae) naturally infected with Fasciola hepatica (Linnaeus,1758) (Trematoda: Digenea) in Argentina

We report the first evidence of natural infection of Lymnaea columella with Fasciola hepatica in Argentina. A sample of 601 snails was collected in May 2003 in northeastern Corrientes, a province bounded on the north by Paraguay, on the east by Brazil and on the southeast by Uruguay. Among 500 examined snails, 44 (8.8%) were exclusively infected with F. hepatica. Parasite identification was based on morphological features of cercariae from snails, and of eggs and adult flukes from Wistar rats. We discuss the events suggesting that an enzootic transmission cycle of F. hepatica has been recently established in northeastern Corrientes.     

Accessory arteries supplying the human transverse colon

An accessory colic artery which arose from the superior mesenteric artery more proximally than the first jejunal artery and met the marginal artery at the splenic flexure was observed in 32 of 65 subjects (49.2%). Considering its constant morphological features, this accessory colic artery was given the new nomenclature 'superior left colic artery (arteria colica sinistra superior; CSS)'. The unusual middle colic artery arising from the celiac trunk was supposed to be caused by the anastomosis between the dorsal pancreatic artery from the CSS and that from the celiac trunk. An additional epiploic branch derived from the pancreatic branch (posterior epiploic branch) also sent an accessory colic artery in 2 subjects. But judging from its origin and area of distribution which overlaps with that of the middle colic artery, this accessory colic artery is not equivalent to CSS.     

Onchocerciasis in British cattle: a study of Onchocerca gutturosa and O. lienalis in North Wales

Onchocerca gutturosa and O. lienalis infections in British cattle were studied by examination of cattle post-mortem originating from North Wales and Cheshire (north west England). In 463 adult animals, the microfilarial (mf) prevalence was 28.5%. In 95.3% of the mf infected animals, gravid worms could not be found at either the ligamentum nuchae or the gastro-splenic omentum. Dermal mf at the head were identified as O. gutturosa on the basis of their highly significant association with the presence of gravid O. gutturosa at the ligamentum nuchae, which were found in only 3.2% of cattle. Mfs were isolated from different skin sites and from adult worms and a minimum of 10 mfs from each isolate were examined for width and acid phosphatase (AP) staining pattern. The width of O. gutturosa dermal mf was less than 4 micron (4 isolations), narrower than that of putative O. lienalis mf isolated from umbilical skin of cattle without evidence of O. gutturosa, which were in 20/22 isolations greater than 4 micron wide. The dermal mf were also distinguished on the basis of different AP staining patterns which, for each species, correlated closely with that of hatched intrauterine mf from their respective adult female worms. Based on the criteria of morphology and AP staining patterns the mf species prevalences in the survey population were estimated as O. lienalis 24.1% and O. gutturosa 2.2%, with a further 2.2% of cattle infected with both species. The results indicate that the predilection site of adult O. lienalis is not the gastro-splenic omentum. In North Wales, the distribution of the two species was different; O. lienalis was widely distributed in all cattle rearing areas both lowland and upland, whereas O. gutturosa was largely restricted to valleys close to major rivers.     

Ecology of Capillaria hepatica (Bancroft 1893) (Nematoda). II. Egg-releasing mechanisms and transmission

The egg-releasing mechanism and transmission ecology of Capillaria hepatica among Norway rat populations of the Baltimore Zoo were studied from 1972 to 1974. Nearly all adult rats were infected, while 65% of juveniles had infections. The mean egg count per liver was calculated to be 457,783 (N = 39 livers) and ranged from 11,270 to 1,400,000 eggs per liver. Data from the present study suggest that cannibalism serves as a primary egg-releasing mechanism and is a source of infection within the burrows. Increased infection rates among juveniles in spring support the hypothesis of maintenance of C. hepatica infections within the burrow system through cannibalism. Predation was responsible for scattered foci of infection throughout the study area and considered as a secondary source of infection. Decomposition was an important egg-releasing mechanism in secondary foci and in the warmer season when insects were active. However, of 849 carrion-associated insects and soil invertebrates collected from around decomposing rats, eggs of C. hepatica were found in only two species of beetles. This suggests a minor role for insects and soil invertebrates as egg disseminators.