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Some Cestodes of the rat, Rattus rattus Linnaeus, of Ceylon and their epidemiological significance for man

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

Charles Kulasiri
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Medical Research Institute, Colombo, Ceylon

Extract

1. Hymenolepis diminuta is shown to be quite frequent in the rat, Rattus rattus, of Colombo; and reasons are suggested for its apparent rarity in man.

2. An extremely low incidence of H. nana in rats was found. It is suggested that this cestode will not be found to parasitize man in Ceylon as long as its murine infection continues to be low.

3. Raillietina madagascariensis is not uncommon in rats in Ceylon; but, until its vector has been detected, the possibility that it may infest man in Ceylon cannot profitably be discussed.

4. Instances of variation in the arrangement of genital pores in R. madagascariensis, and in the general anatomy of H. diminuta were detected.

I am grateful to Dr G. A. R. Perera, Medical Officer of Health, Colombo Municipal Council, for supplying the rats used in this study; to Drs V. Sivalingam and L. G. Jayawardena of this Institute for helpful criticism, and to Dr A. C. J. Weera-koon of the University of Ceylon for revising my manuscript.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1954

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