[The differentiation of Opisthorchis eggs by the ultrastructure of their outer membranes]

Using a TESLA-BS-300 scanning electron microscope, the ultrastructure of the outer membranes of oocysts of 8 opisthorchis species (Opisthorchis felineus, O. viverrini, O. geminus, Clonorchis sinesis, Amphimerus anatis, Metorchis albidus, Pseudamphistomum truncatum, Erchoviorchis lintoni) belonging to 4 subfamilies, as well as that of O. felineus oocysts of various geographical isolates (from the Ukraine, the Volga region, West Siberia, Kazakhstan) have been investigated. The nature of the ultrastructure of the membranes differs from species to species and can be used for the differentiation of opisthorchis oocysts. Marked differences have been observed in different opisthorchis subfamilies (Opisthorchinae, Metorchinae, Pseudamphistominae, Pseudamphimerinae). The membrane ultrastructure was not significantly different in O. felineus oocysts from various geographical isolates, however, there are some distinctions in the size of oocysts and the form of apical thorns and opercular endings. The work has been done within the framework of the international scientific cooperation between the E. I. Martsinovskiĭ Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, USSR Ministry of Public Health and the Institute of Parasitology, the Czechoslovakian Academy of Sciences.