NOTE: The genome sequence and annotation for this nematode are updated in Ensembl Metazoa infrequently. For the latest genome and annotation, please visit WormBase ParaSite.

About Hymenolepis microstoma

Hymenolepis microstoma is a member of the Cyclophyllidea, which comprises the majority of tapeworms that are of medical importance. The cestode Hymenolepis microstoma, or rodent tapeworm, is an intestinal dwelling parasite of mice and rats which is used as a laboratory model organism. Adult worms live in the bile duct and small intestines, using beetles as intermediate hosts. H. microstoma is prevalent in rodents worldwide causing hymenolepiasis, but rarely infects humans. In humans, hymenolepiasis is caused by two other tapeworms, Hymenolepis nana (the dwarf tapeworm) and Hymenolepis diminuta (rat tapeworm). Heavy infections can cause weakness, headaches, anorexia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

As a parasite that is using natural hosts that are themselves model organisms, H. microstoma has been used as a tapeworm research model. A lot of our understanding of the basic biology of tapeworms and hymenolepiasis in humans and other animals stems from work on this species.

• H. microstoma data at WormBase ParaSite.
• Hymenolepis microstoma Wellcome Sanger Institute page.

Picture credit: Magdalena ZZ Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons (Image source)

Taxonomy ID 85433

Data source Wellcome Sanger Institute

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