Morphological and morphometric characteristics of Trichosomoides crassicauda in Rattus spp. in Iran

ABSTRACT

Trichosomoides crassicaud, a nematode of Trichuridae, maybe found in kidney, and ureters of rats. In Iran, it is a parasite of rats, too. In this laboratory study, the morphological characterization of this species from rattus spp. was compared with other reports in the world. Trichosomoides crassicauda was obtained from the bladders and ureters of two species of rattus including brown rat [R. norvegicus] and black rat [R.rattus]. After trapping the rodents, they were dissected and their urinary organs were examined. In case of infectivity with Trichosomoides crassicauda, the nematode was gently removed and after clearing and staining, the details were observed by light microscope. The male and female of Trichosomoides crassicauda were measured 1-3 mm by length and 20-40im by width and 8-18mm by length and 180-250im by width, respectively. The eggs measured 50-80 im long. There is a minor difference between the measurements of Trichosomoides crassicauda in current study with similar reports in the world. This difference is probably due to existence of different strains of Trichosomoides crassicauda in various geographical regions and also partly as a result of age effect