''Bertiella studeri'' is a species of '' Bertiellia'', a type of

cestode Cestoda is a class of parasitic worms in the flatworm phylum (Platyhelminthes). Most of the species—and the best-known—are those in the subclass Eucestoda; they are ribbon-like worms as adults, known as tapeworms. Their bodies consist of man ...

s (tapeworms). It is a parasite of primates which was first described in the rhesus macaque (''

Macaca mulatta The rhesus macaque (''Macaca mulatta''), colloquially rhesus monkey, is a species of Old World monkey. There are between six and nine recognised subspecies that are split between two groups, the Chinese-derived and the Indian-derived. Generally b ...

'') in 1940. The intermediate host are oribatid mites, which ingest the eggs, and are themselves ingested by the vertebrate host. Oribatid mites infected with Bertiella transfer the developmental

cysticercoid A cysticercoid is the larval stage of certain tapeworms, similar in appearance to a cysticercus, but having the scolex filling completely the enclosing cyst. In tapeworm infections, cysticercoids can be seen in free form as well as enclosed by cy ...

stage to a human host through tissue feeding. This is one of two species of ''Bertiella'' that cause Bertielliasis in humans (the other being '' Bertiella mucronata''). The majority of human cases occur in individuals who have some level of contact with non-humanprimates. Geographic distribution of cases demonstrate ''Bertiellia'' infection within countries from Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Morphology

An adult ''B. studeri'' tapeworm measures 10–30 cm long, and is 1 cm wide. The adult develops in the

small intestine The small intestine or small bowel is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract where most of the absorption of nutrients from food takes place. It lies between the stomach and large intestine, and receives bile and pancreatic juice through the p ...

of the primate host. Once the adult develops in the small intestine, section of proglottid are expelled through the anus every 2 to 3 days. The average length of a ''B. Studeri''

proglottid Cestoda is a class of parasitic worms in the flatworm phylum (Platyhelminthes). Most of the species—and the best-known—are those in the subclass Eucestoda; they are ribbon-like worms as adults, known as tapeworms. Their bodies consist of man ...

segment is 0.1 cm with an average width ranging from 0.68-1.10 cm. ''B. Studeri'' infection in humans is usually asymptomatic. Although, infection can also lead to gastrointestinal irritation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anorexia, weight loss, vomit and/or constipation.

References

Cestoda Parasites of primates {{Cestoda-stub