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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Issue Image | Vol. 10(9) September 2016

The murine whipworm (Trichuris muris)

The function of the bacillary band, a specialised morphological structure of Trichuris spp. and other related parasitic nematodes, is poorly understood. The potential function as an external gut was explored using a fluorescent glucose analogue (6-NBDG). In T. muris, 6-NBDG accumulated in the bacillary band (bright green), and was later found inside the worm in the stichosome. Hence, it is possible that the bacillary band is involved in the uptake of chemical compounds, including anthelmintic drugs. Hansen et al.

Image Credit: Tina V. A. Hansen

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The murine whipworm (Trichuris muris)

The function of the bacillary band, a specialised morphological structure of Trichuris spp. and other related parasitic nematodes, is poorly understood. The potential function as an external gut was explored using a fluorescent glucose analogue (6-NBDG). In T. muris, 6-NBDG accumulated in the bacillary band (bright green), and was later found inside the worm in the stichosome. Hence, it is possible that the bacillary band is involved in the uptake of chemical compounds, including anthelmintic drugs. Hansen et al.

Image Credit: Tina V. A. Hansen

https://doi.org/10.1371/image.pntd.v10.i09.g001