The paper 'A taxonomic revision of the genus Taenia Linnaeus, 1758 s. str.' (Verster, 1969) gives concise characterisations, together with drawings of rostellar hooks and the terminal genital organs, of the 32 Taenia species and three subspecies which this author found to be valid. Yet, it is hardly possible to quickly identify a questionable species or to readily access information on their hosts, geographical range and synonyms. The present paper compiles these data and additional information on larval characteristics into tables. Measurements and numbers of hooks are shown using a graph. Additional data are included from authors not mentioned by Verster and for seven new species (T. dinniki, T. jaipurensis, T. kotlani, T. madoquae, T. saigoni and T. simbae), two re-validated species (T. krepkogorski, T. retracta) and two subspecies (T. polyacantha arctica and T. saginata asiatica) described since 1969. Reasons for rejecting one new species and one new subspecies are given. A table of definitive hosts and the Taenia species occurring in them is also included, as is one of synonyms from 1850 onwards. A good procedure for the staining and mounting of cestodes is described.

An up-date of Verster's (1969) 'Taxonomic revision of the genus Taenia Linnaeus' (Cestoda) in table format.

Opisthorchis felineus, an emerging infection in Italy and its implication for the European Union.

Between 1993 and 2002, carcasses from 15 wild cats (Felis silvestris) and 17 domestic cats (Felis catus) from the Eifel region, Pfalz region and the Saarland were collected and examined for endoparasites. Most cats were road casualties (74%), some died from disease (14%), some were shot (3%), or some died of unknown reasons (9%). Three wild cats were too decomposed for parasitological examination. Endoparasites were recovered in 14 wild cats (n = 15) and 11 domestic cats (n = 17). A total of eight endoparasite species were found in wild cats and six in domestic cats. The nematodes Toxocara mystax and Toxascaris leonina and the cestode Taenia taeniaeformis were the most prevalent parasites. Other helminths detected were Capillaria aerophila, Capillaria feliscati, Capillaria plica and Mesocestoides litteratus. The spiruride Petrowospirura petrowi was detected in Germany for the first time. The parasite fauna was more diverse in male than in female cats indicating a male-biased parasitism in the wild cats.

Endoparasite spectrum of wild cats (Felis silvestris Schreber, 1777) and domestic cats (Felis catus L.) from the Eifel, Pfalz region and Saarland, Germany

Wild mustelids and canids are definitive hosts of Taenia and Versteria spp. while rodents act as natural intermediate hosts. Rarely, larval stages of these parasites can cause serious zoonoses. In Europe, four cases of Taenia martis cysticercosis have been diagnosed in immunocompetent women, and two cases in zoo primates since 2013. In North America, a zoonotic genotype related but distinct from Versteria mustelae has been identified in 2014, which had caused a fatal infection in an orangutan and liver- and disseminated cysticercoses in two severely immune deficient human patients in 2018, respectively. Additionally, we could attribute a historic human case from the USA to this Versteria sp. by reanalysing a published nucleotide sequence. In the last decades, sporadic zoonotic infections by cysticerci of the canid tapeworm Taenia crassiceps have been described (4 in North America, 8 in Europe). Besides, 3 ocular cases from North America and one neural infection from Europe, all in immunocompetent patients, 6 cutaneous infections were described in severely immunocompromised European patients. Correspondingly, besides oral infections with taeniid eggs, accidental subcutaneous oncosphere establishment after egg-contamination of open wounds was suggested, especially in cases with a history of cutaneous injuries at the infection site. Taenia multiceps is mainly transmitted in a domestic cycle. Only five human coenurosis cases are published since 2000. In contrast, T. serialis coenurosis (1 human case since 2000) is primarily transmitted by wild canids. The etiological diagnosis of exotic cysticercoses is challenging. Usually, clinical material does not allow for a morphological identification, and serological tests are not available. These limitations have partly been overcome by molecular tools. Without claiming any dramatic emergence of cysticercoses and coenuroses transmitted by wild carnivores, further sporadic cases of such 'exotic' infections have to be expected.

https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/179589/1/Deplazes_et_al.%2C_Parasites_and_Wildlife_9%282019%29_1333.pdf

Wildlife-transmitted Taenia and Versteria cysticercosis and coenurosis in humans and other primates.

Canine bladderworm (Capillaria plica) infection associated with glomerular amyloidosis.

The investigations based on examination of the internal organs of 25 wild cats of the Harz population died from different causes in the period from 1982 to 1989. 22 animals (= 88%) were positive for parasites. The following species were found: Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Taenia crassiceps, T. martis larv. (spurious parasite), Mesocestoides litteratus, Capillaria plica, Capillaria sp. (aerophila?), Toxocara mystax, Cystoisopora felis. Toxocara mystax and Hydatigera taeniaeformis were the most often diagnosed helminths. Their number ranged up to 247 and 30 specimen respectively. The stated parasite fauna is comparable with findings in run wild domestic cats in rural areas. Voles contained in the stomach content of most of the cats play a role in the epizootiology of wild cat endoparasites.

Contributions to the parasite fauna of local hosts. 10. On the endoparasitic fauna of Felis silvestris

Alimentary tract, liver, kidneys and lungs of 25 otters, died of several causes during 1982-1987 in GDR were included in helminthological investigations. Parasites were detected in 8 animals. One cestode: Taenia martis and 3 trematodes: Isthmiophora melis, Opisthorchis felineus and Pseudamphistomum truncatum are regarded to be certain parasites of this host. Other findings like Ligula intestinalis, Azygia luccii and Piscicola geometra and the fragment of a pseudophyllidean enter the alimentary tract with the food and pass through it.

K Schierhorn

Papers

Contributions to the parasite fauna of local hosts. 10. On the endoparasitic fauna of Felis silvestris

The parasite fauna of East Germany. 9. The helminth fauna of Lutra lutra