<i>Coenurus serialis</i> in Northeastern Iran: A Probable Danger to Human

Abstract

Background: Coenurosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of Taenia multiceps or Taenia serialis species. Objectives: The current study aimed at reporting the entity of Coenurus serialis in Iran. Methods: The five dead rabbits found in Sarakhs city, Northeastern Iran, were inspection carefully. Coenurus serialis cysts recovered from their muscles were inoculated orally into a four-month-old Spitz/Terrier dog. Results: Based on the current study, 40% of the inspected rabbits in Northeastern Iran had C. serialis. The eggs appeared in the feces 58 days post-inoculation (dpi). Cestodes length was 15 - 25 cm and the total number of scolex hooks was 30 ± 1. The mean length of large and small hooks was 140 and 90 μm, respectively. Discussion: Taenia multiceps and T. serialis in dogs were morphologically indistinguishable in the current study. The disease exists in Northeastern Iran in animals and is the potential danger as a zoonotic disease. The current study established the first experimental infection of C. serialis in Iran. Neurosurgeons should consider the probability of the disease in this region.