Morphology of Taenia Asiatica Simalungun, Indonesia

BACKGROUND: One of the methods to identify Taenia species that infect humans morphologically is microscopic examination of the gravid proglottid and the scolex. By counting the number of uterine branches in a gravid proglottid, the species of Taenia can be identified. According to literatures, the number of uterine branches of proglottid varies between 11 – 31 and the scolex has a rostelum and apical pit without hooklet. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the morphology of scolex, to see the presence of rostelum, hooklet, oral sucker, and apical pit using SEM. METHODS: We investigated 19 gravid proglottids of T. asiatica from Simalungun District, North Sumatra Province using dissecting microscope examination and one scolex using light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The findings showed that the number of uterine branches of the gravid proglottid was 16, and neither rostelum nor apical pit in the scolex was found. However, a curved shape at the apex of the scolex was identified and named as snout CONCLUSION: The number of uterine branches of T. asiatica that was found in Simalungun District, North Sumatra Province was 16 and the morphology of the scolex was slightly different from that was reported previously. We suggest that the morphology of Taenia asiatica should be further reviewed, probably of the differences in morphology of Taenia asiatica according to its endemic area.