Cryptocotyle

Cryptocotyle is a genus of trematodes in the family Heterophyidae. The genus was described by Creplin in 1825. The species in this genus are parasitic flukes that infect various vertebrates, including humans.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Cryptocotyle involves three hosts. The adult flukes live in the intestines of the definitive host, where they lay eggs that are passed out with the host's feces. The eggs hatch in water into free-swimming miracidia, which infect a suitable first intermediate host, typically a snail. In the snail, the miracidia develop into sporocysts, which produce cercariae. The cercariae leave the snail and encyst on or in a second intermediate host, usually a fish. When the definitive host eats the infected fish, the encysted cercariae excyst in the host's intestine and mature into adult flukes.

Species

There are several species in the genus Cryptocotyle, including:

• Cryptocotyle concava
• Cryptocotyle lingua
• Cryptocotyle jejuna

Human Infection

Humans can become infected with Cryptocotyle by eating raw or undercooked fish that contain encysted cercariae. The infection, known as heterophyiasis, can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. In severe cases, the flukes can migrate to other parts of the body, causing serious complications.

Treatment

Treatment for Cryptocotyle infection typically involves antiparasitic drugs, such as praziquantel. Prevention involves cooking fish thoroughly before eating, or freezing it at a sufficiently low temperature for a long enough period to kill any encysted cercariae.

See Also

• Trematoda
• Heterophyidae
• Heterophyiasis

References

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