Incubation of <i>Spirometra</i> eggs at laboratory conditions by Modified Harada-Mori method

Abstract

Incubation of Spirometra eggs was conducted in the helminthology laboratory Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture during the period July to September, 2012. Spirometra eggs from faeces of naturally infected lions (Panthera leo) from Tarangire National Park, Tanzania were cultured at laboratory condition using modified Harada-Mori method. The objective of the study was to hatch coracidia and use in a life-cycle experiment. The culture consisted of a thin film of washed eggs on a strip of filter paper inserted in an upright falcon tubes containing sterile sand and stones to the bottom up to 1 cm level and aquarium water up to just below the egg smear. Eggs were cultured at temperature 26-29ºC and light. On day 6 the eggs started hatching coracidia. Under the circumstance it was fruitful to culture Spirometra eggs using modified Harada-Mori method. The modified Harada-Mori culture technology showed a high rate of hatching of Spirometra eggs. We recommend using this modified Harada-Mori method for culture of Spirometra eggs being able to hatch many eggs, inexpensive and less time consuming.

Key words: Harada-Mori, culture, eggs, Spirometra.