Alteraciones histopatologicas producidas por Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Trematoda) en dos especies de Cernuella (Mollusca) sacrificadas a los tres meses post-infestación

The histopathological alterations produced by the hepatic trematode Dicrocoelium dendriticum in the digestive gland and gonad of two species of intermediate host molluscs of the genus Cernuella were studied by light microscopy. Animals were experimentally infected and kept under laboratory conditions, then killed 3 months post-infection. Secondary sporocysts of D. dendriticum are evident in the experimentally infected specimens of both species. The infection degree is greater in C. cespitum arigonis than in C. virgata. Hemocytic infiltration, as well as calcium cell plasm vacuolisation and an increase of digestive cell lipofuscines are associated with the presence of the parasite. Besides, there is a great parasitic castration in C. cespitum arigonis.