Morphology of surface ultrastructure of Duthiersia expansa (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) from water lizards (Varanus salvator) from Sidoarjo, Indonesia

Duthiersia expansa (D.expansa) is a cestoda of the family Diphyllobothriidae which is often found in the gut of water lizards (Varanus salvator). D. expansa worm infection is generally chronic and shows no obvious clinical symptoms but can cause weight loss, edema, ulceration of the intestinal mucosa to death. Although there have been no reports of D. expansa worm infections in humans, all types of animals have the potential to transmit diseases to humans both directly and indirectly. The present study being the first to describe morphology of surface ultrastructure of D. expansa using scanning electron microscopy in sidoarjo, indonesia, managed to compliment and verify the taxonomic valid characteristics of D.expansa as Asian Duthiersia form. Samples are collected by making incisions in the duodenum to the ileum. Sample preparation was carried out at the Airlangga University Medical School. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was carried out at the Central Institute of Life Sciences Universitas Brawijaya. The results of scanning electron microscope examination show that fan-shaped worm scoleks, bothria in the lateral scolex, existence of posterior pores in scolecs, crasspedot-shaped strobila with uterine pore and different forms of microtriches in tegument of the skoleks and strobila.