Hymenolepis diminuta metacestodes (Cysticeroids) are unable to utilize exogenous trehalose.

ABSTRACT

Cysticercoids (metacestodes) of Hymenolepis diminuta were incubated in Tyrode's salt solution (pH 7.2) containing 1.25 mM or 40 mM trehalose for 5 or 18 hr, and the amounts of trehalose remaining in the media were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography. No differences were detected in the amounts of trehalose remaining in control (no cysticercoids) or experimental incubations under any of the experimental conditions. Thus, cysticercoids are apparently unable to utilize trehalose present in the external medium.