The in vitro culture and tegumental dynamics of the plerocercoid of Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea)

Hoole D. and Arme C. 1985. The in vitro culture and tegumental dynamics of the plerocercoid of Ligula intestinalis (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea). International Journal for Parasitology14: 609–615. An in vitro system for maintaining Ligula has been developed and used in an autoradiographic study on the tegumental dynamics. Parasite tissue was cultured in teleost Ringer, Eagle's medium, M199 medium and modified Leibovitz' medium. Small membrane-bound bodies within the microthrix border increased in number in all media, and abnormal mitochondria were found in the distal tegument in teleost Ringer, M199 and Eagle's. Autophagy occurred after 24 h culture in teleost Ringer. Ultrastructural and physiological (¹⁴C-D-glucose uptake) evidence suggests that parasite tissue maintained in modified Leibovitz' medium remains viable for at least 24 h. The turnover rate of the surface components of L. intestinalis in this medium is approx. 12–24 h.