Histologic lesions of cestodiasis in octopuses

Abstract

Parasitism of cephalopods is common, including infection with Aggregata spp., Ichthyobodo spp., dicyemids, cestodes of the orders Tetraphyllidea and Trypanorhynchidea, and various crustaceans. Cestodiasis in octopuses is reported, although a full histologic description of lesions has not been previously described. Cestodiasis was identified in 10 octopuses of 4 different species, which included 4 common octopuses ( Octopus vulgaris), 3 Caribbean reef octopuses ( Octopus briareus), 2 two-spot octopuses ( Octopus bimaculoides), and 1 giant Pacific octopus ( Enteroctopus dofleini). Larval cestodes were present in the cecum ( n = 5), intestines ( n = 4), digestive gland ( n = 3), chitinous alimentary tract ( n = 2), renal appendage ( n = 1), and salivary duct ( n = 1). In 5 cases, larval cestodes invaded tissue and were associated with hemocytic inflammation and tracts of necrotic tissue in the intestines ( n = 3), digestive gland ( n = 3), and/or renal appendage ( n = 1). When present in the chitinous alimentary tract (esophagus, stomach) or cecum, larval cestodes were in the central lumen and not associated with lesions. One adult cestode was identified in the mantle cavity and was not associated with lesions. Other common concurrent parasitic infections included enteric Aggregata spp. infection, branchial Rickettsia-like organism infection, enteric nematodiasis, and an arthropod-associated branchitis.