Sparganosis in feral hogs (Sus scrofa) from Florida

Sparganosis is an infection of tissues by second-stage larvae (spargana or plerocercoids) of pseudophyllidean tapeworms.) Spargana of Spirometra spp infect a wide variety of vertebrates; therefore, the term sparganosis generally is used to refer to infection with parasite s of this genus. Vertebrate hosts, including human beings, become infected with spargana in 1 of 3 ways: ingestion of water containing copepod crustaceans (Cyclops spp ) infected with procercoids, penetration of wounds or mucous membranes by s pargana as a result of direct contact with the flesh of intermediate hosts, or ingestion of spargana in intermediate hosts.