[Two European Spirometra forms (Cestoidea: Diphyllobothriidae) with different Sparganum growth factors]

European Spirometra forms corresponding to S. erinaceieuropaei in morphology, host specificity and periodical destrobilation were tested for a Sparganum Growth Factor (SGF "mansonoides") acting upon hypophysectomized male rats. A Polish form as well as Thai and Burmese forms did not show a SGF "mansonoides". The Polish form partially caused increased growth in normal laboratory mice (similar to a form from Thailand) and in Cricetulus griseus (SGF "non-mansonoides", restricted by host resistance). Procyon lotor can act both as paratenic and as definitive host for the Polish form. The Polish, Thai and Burmese forms are attributed to S. erinaceieuropaei. A Bulgarian form showed a typical SGF "mansonoides". 4 hyposectomized 100 g rats, each of which were implanted 5 spargana subcutaneously, showed weight gains up to 400 g within 7 to 8 weeks. Therefore, this Bulgarian form is treated provisionally as Spirometra sp.