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Heterophyopsis continua

Disease. Heterophyiasis

Geographic distribution. Korea, Japan and China

Life cycle. The second intermediate hosts are the perch, goby, shad (Clupanodon punctatus) and sweetfish (Plecoglossus altivelis). Domestic cats, ducks, and sea-gulls were reported to be the natural definitive hosts. Human infections were reported.

Morphology. The adult worms are elongate, 2.7-2.8 by 0.5-0.6 mm in body size. Ventral sucker is median, large, muscular, posterior to intestinal bifurcation, and 0.16-0.20 mm in diameter. Genital sucker is prominent and armed with 92-115 spines in a single row. Two testes are a little obliquely tandem and globular in shape near posterior one-third of body. Intrauterine eggs are small but broadly oval in shape with relatively thick shells, 24-28 by 16-19 mm in size.

Pathology and clinical symptoms. Refer to Metagonimus Species.

Diagnosis. Refer to Metagonimus Species.

Prevention. Refer to Metagonimus Species.

Treatment. Refer to Metagonimus Species.

Jong-Yil Chai


Metacercaria of Heterophyopsis continua. Note the Y-shaped excretory bladder in black.

Sung-Jong Hong


Heterophyopsis continua metacercaria from a goby, Acanthogobius flavimanus.

Woon-Mok Sohn


Metacercaria of H. continua from a sea perch, Lateolabrax japonicus.

Woon-Mok Sohn


Heterophyopsis continua, adult worm, recovered from experimental chick. 2.22 mm long by 0.27 mm wide. Acetocarmine stained.(Hong et al. 1990. Korean J Parasitol 28:53-62.)

Sung-Jong Hong


H. continua collected from a cat. Semichon's acetocarmine stained.

Woon-Mok Sohn


Lateolabrax japonicus, the second intermediate host of Heterophyopsis continua.

Sung-Jong Hong


Konosirus punctatus, dotted gizzard shad.

Woon-Mok Sohn


Lateolabrax japonicus, sea perch.

Woon-Mok Sohn