SEM of H. diminuta: The length of worm is approximately
up to 6 cm × 3.5 mm. The scolex of H. diminuta is
provided with an armed sucker and rostellum as observed
by SEM is presented in. The suckers located bilaterally on
the dorsal and ventral surface. The suckers occupy large
portion of the available surface area, thus suggesting their
important functional role. The rostellum lies at the center
of the scolex and has no hooks. Genital atria are unilateral
and, similar to H. nana and surrounded with ordinary
microtriches. The scolex and proglottides are all covered
with posteriorly directed microtriches of uniform shape
(Figs. 2a-d).
SEM of Intestine Removed from Infected Mice with H.
nana: The intestine had showed some degree of villous
atrophy and fusion. The villi were reduced in height and
fused to form long ridges of tissue which gave a rippled,
wave-like appearance. Long filamentous structures
identified as bacteria were observed in large numbers, the
bacteria appeared to be attached to the entrocytes by
hold fast or attachment segments. However, small
depressions were occasionally observed in the mucosa of
infected animals and it is tentatively suggested that these
represent the attachment site of Hymenolepis. A shallow
groove was also seen in association with triangularshaped
protuberances. Villi in the center of the groove
were further atrophied (Fig.3 a- d).