Bertiella studeri is a species of Bertiellia, a type of cestodes (tapeworms). It is a parasite of primates which was first described in the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) in 1940.[1] The intermediate host are oribatid mites,[1] which ingest the eggs, and are themselves ingested by the vertebrate host.[2] Oribatid mites infected with Bertiella transfer the developmental cysticercoid 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).[3] The majority of human cases occur in individuals who have some level of contact with non-humanprimates.[4] 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.[2] The adult develops in the small intestine of the primate host.[2] 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. Studeriproglottid segment is 0.1 cm with an average width ranging from 0.68 to 1.10 cm.[5]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.[6]