bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cloning, over-expression and evaluation of a recombinant fusion protein ofWuchereria bancroftitowards its application as a diagnostic agent for bancroftian filariasis
Authors: Theodore J. G. , Kaliraj P. , Jayachandran S. , Jayaraman K.
Published: June 2009

A low molecular weight (15 kDa) surface antigen of the cattle filarial nematode,Setaria digitata, was earlier shown to be specifically recognized by the antibodies from human bancroftian filarial (Mf positive) patients' sera (Theodore & Kaliraj, 1990). The filarial specific antibodies bound to a 15 kDa peptide in preparative Western blots were eluted and employed in screening of candidate antigens expressed in the genomic library ofWuchereria bancroftiat the IgG4subclass antibody level. A recombinant clone (λ WbG7) reacting strongly with filarial sera but poorly with sera from patients infected with non-filarial helminths was selected for further studies. The 2 kb DNA insert of the clone λ WbG7 was recloned into a pMAL vector and the recombinant clone pGT7 thus obtained was over-expressed and affinity purified. The purified 105 kDa fusion protein of the clone pGT7 was specific and was not recognized by the non-filarial sera at the IgG4level. All microfilaraemic individuals were positive by IgG4assay. However, similar attempts to diagnose by filarial-specific IgE assays failed to recognize microfilaraemic individuals. Moreover, by filarial-specific IgG4assays, the endemic normals were distinctly divided into two groups, showing higher and lower recognition for this antigen indicating current and past/no infection. Among the filarial-IgG4(assay)-positive ‘endemic normals’, 14% showed ‘microfilariae’ during repeated peripheral night blood examination, confirming the validity of the recombinant antigen, pGT7 based assay.
Tumour necrosis factor-α and macrophages inPlasmodium berghei-induced cerebral malaria
Authors: Curfs J. H. A. J. , Hermsen C. C. , Kremsner P. , Neifer S. , Meuwissen J. H. E. Th. , Rooyen N. Van , Eling W. M. C.
Published: June 2009

The effect of tumour necrosis factor-α on malaria-infected mice was studied. C57B1/6J mice infected withPlasmodium bergheiK173 exhibited an increased sensitivity to exogenous TNF. Injection of 15 μg TNF was lethal to some of the animals when given 5–7 days after infection, while when given later on in the infection (i.e. days 8–10) amounts as low as 2·5 μg TNF appeared to be lethal in all mice. The pathology in infected mice treated with TNF resembled that found in the brains of infected mice dying with cerebral malaria. Infected mice treated with TNF, however, also developed severe pathological changes in other organs. On the contrary, treatment with sublethal amounts of TNF (1·0 μg or less) given on days 8 and 9 after infection, protected mice against the development of cerebral malaria. In addition, infected mice exhibited an enhanced sensitivity for treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sublethal amounts of LPS, however, did not prevent mortality as in TNF-treated mice (LPS-treated mice died at about the same time as infected mice that developed cerebral malaria), but no cerebral haemorrhages were found in the majority of LPS treated, infected animals. Treatment with dexamethasone during infection protected mice against the development of cerebral malaria, but did not suppress their increased sensitivity to exogenous TNF. Treatment of mice with liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate (lip-Cl2MDP), used to eliminate macrophages (an important source of TNF), prevented the development of cerebral malaria, but only when given before day 5 of infection. Mice protected by treatment with lip Cl2MDP, however, remained sensitive for LPS on the eighth day of infection.
Effects of methotrexate on the parasitic development of the nematode Dictyocaulus viviparus (Metastrongylidae), and on the immune response of infected guinea-pigs
Authors: Wilson R. J. M.
Published: June 2009

Methotrexate inhibited the growth of D. viviparus by acting either on the moult from the third- to the fourth-stage larva or on the growth of fourth-stage larva itself. Despite these effects of the drug, the early developmental stages of the worms primed the immune mechanism of the host; the inductive phase of antibody production was completed in less than 5 days. An effective immune response, however, was blocked by the continued presence of methotrexate which resulted in delayed elimination of a superinfection and the absence of anaphylactic antibody in the serum. Immune elimination appeared to require a quantitative threshold of worm antigen and host antibody.

This work was made possible by the generous supply of infective helminth material from Messrs Allen and Hanbury Ltd, Ware, Herts. I should also like to thank Dr J. H. Humphrey and Dr S. R. Smithers of N.I.M.R. for their helpful discussions.
Developmental stages in the Digenea
Authors: Byrd Elon E. , Maples William P.
Published: June 2009

The naturally oviposited egg ofDasymetra confertais fully embryonated and it hatches only after it is ingested by the snail host,Physaspp.

Hatching appears to be in response to some stimulus supplied by the living snail. The stimulus causes the larva to exercise a characteristic series of body movements and to liberate a granular sustance (hatching enzyme) from the larger pair of its cephalic glands. This enzyme reacts with the vitelline fluid to create pressure within the egg capsule, and with the cementum of the operculum, so that it may be lifted away. The larva's escape from the shell, therefore, is due to a combination of pressure and body movements.

The hatched larva has a membranous body wall, supporting six epidermal plates, an apical papilla, two penetration glands and a central matrix (the presumptive brood mass).

It lives for about an hour within the snail and during this time there is a reorganization of the central matrix which terminates in the formation of an 8-nucleated syncytial brood mass.

The miracidial ‘case’, consisting of the body wall and the epidermal plates, ultimately ruptures to liberate the brood mass. Once the brood mass is free it penetrates through the gut wall in an incredibly short time.
A freeze-fracture study of the cuticle of adult Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nematoda)
Authors: Lee D. L. , Wright K. A. , Shivers R. R.
Published: June 2009

The surface of the cuticle of adult Nippostrongylus brasiliensis has been studied by means of the freeze-fracture technique and by transmission electron microscopy. Some of the surface coat appears to have been shed from the surface of the cuticle of adults fixed in situ in the intestine of its host and from the surface of individuals removed from the intestine and freeze-fractured. Freeze-fracturing the cuticle of individuals removed from the host has shown that this surface coat varies in thickness from 30 to 90 nm. The epicuticle is about 20 nm thick and cleaves readily to expose E- and P-faces. The P-face of the epicuticle possesses a small number of particles, similar to intra-membranous particles, whilst the E-face possesses a few, widely scattered depressions. Despite the presence of these particles the epicuticle is not considered to be a true membrane. Freeze-fracturing the remainder of the cuticle has confirmed its structure as described by conventional transmission electron microscopy. Clusters of particles on the P-face of the outer epidermal (hypodermal) membrane and corresponding depressions on the E-face of the membrane are thought to be associated with points of attachment of the cuticle to the epidermis (hypodermis). No differences in appearance of the cuticle and its surface layers were observed in individuals taken from 7-, 10-, 13- and 15-day infections.
Single juveniles of the potato cyst nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida differentiated by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA
Authors: Roosien J. , Van Zandvoort P. M. , Folkertsma R. T. , Rouppe Van Der Voort J. N. A. M. , Goverse A. , Gommers F. J. , Bakker J.
Published: June 2009

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) offers a potential basis for the development of a diagnostic assay to differentiate the potato cyst nematode species Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida. Nine decamer primers have been tested for their ability to amplify species-specific DNA sequences. Primer OPG-05 produced 2 discrete DNA fragments, which were consistently present in 5 G. rostochiensis populations and absent in 5 G. pallida populations. These fragments were detectable in single females as well as in single 2nd-stage juveniles. Their amplification is extremely efficient, and reproducible over a wide range of template concentrations. One-fifth of a single juvenile is sufficient to generate reproducible RAPD markers. The amplification from single juveniles requires no DNA isolation. The use of a crude homogenate does not impair the polymerase chain reaction.
Studies on the amphid specific glycoprotein gp32 in different life-cycle stages of Meloidogyne species
Authors: Stewart G. R. , Perry R. N. , Wright D. J.
Published: June 2009

Indirect immunofluorescent studies have been used to localize a glycoprotein (gp32) in the amphids of 2nd-stage juveniles (J2) of Meloidogyne incognita parasitic in the roots of tomato plants, male Meloidogyne javanica and some young adult female M. incognita. Immuno-electron microscopic studies showed an apparent absence of gp32 in the amphids of mature adult female M. incognita. Chemoattraction experiments demonstrated that the binding of gp32 antibodies to the amphidial secretions of infective J2 M. incognita partly impaired the ability of the nematodes to locate tomato roots.
Survival of Pseudodiplorchis americanus (Monogenea) under controlled environmental conditions
Authors: Tocque K. , Tinsley R. C.
Published: June 2009

Populations of Pseudodiplorchis americanus infecting the desert toad, Scaphiopus couchii, have previously been shown to be remarkably stable from year to year, despite wide variation in conditions promoting invasion. The present study aimed to document the survival of both first-year and pre-existing adults under controlled laboratory temperatures. First-year worm survival in experimentally infected toads was shown to be very high for the first 5 months after migration to the definitive site, and there was no difference in survival at 25 °C or 15–20 °C. There was also no density-dependent survival during the same period: 20% of worms were recovered from the host urinary bladder, irrespective of initial intensities. After the first 5 months, there was a progressive loss of worms in toads maintained at 25 °C but not at 15–20 °C. Pre-existing adult populations were shown to be virtually identical to those under natural conditions for the first 4 months after toad capture. Following this, at 25 °C, populations declined and no pre-existing adults were recovered after 11–14 months. There was no such loss of pre-existing adults at 15–20 °C for up to 14 months. A diurnal temperature cycle of 20–34 °C (simulating temperatures during the desert summer) did not lead to a significant loss of worms. These observations suggest that during one annual cycle in the desert, when temperatures remain above 20 °C for less than 6 months, most adult worms established in the host urinary bladder will survive to the next transmission opportunity. However, the similar longevity of first-year and pre-existing adults in laboratory maintained toads shows that loss of worms cannot be due solely to parasite ageing. Temperature-dependent survival of P. americanus is suggestive of a host immune response. Low temperatures, which inhibit parasite growth and development, are essential for the survival of P. americanus.
The control of trichostrongyle larvae (Nematoda) by fumigation in relation to their bionomics
Authors: Sturrock R. F.
Published: June 2009

In a small-scale trial in which boxes of grass infested with Trichostrongylus colubriformis were treated with methyl bromide, a dose of 100 mg. hr./l. prevented guinea-pigs picking up the infection when they grazed the grass at a later date. A practical method is described for fumigating small areas of pasture. In a field trial, sheep were used to test plots of pasture fumigated with doses which did not kill the grass but the results were inconclusive. These experiments are discussed and also the possible value and applications of this technique.

I am indebted to Professor B. G. Peters and to the other members of the Imperial College Field Station, particularly Dr A. B. Page and Dr O. F. Lubatti, for their help and criticism during the work. Thanks are also due to Dr William Davies, the Director of the Grassland Research Institute, Hurley, for permission to carry out the field experiment there, and also to Dr C. R. W. Spedding and Mr T. Brown for their co-operative assistance and advice throughout this work.
The migration ofCercaria XBaylis (Strigeida) within the molluscan intermediate hostLymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Probert Allan J. , Erasmus David A.
Published: June 2009

The route of migration ofCercaria Xwithin the host snail,Lymnaea stagnalis, has been demonstrated by means of serial sections and a method of numerical assessment of the distribution of cercariae in the various tissues and organs of the body.

The main pathway along which migrating cercariae travel is the blood system, which differs from the route in the fish second intermediate host. The cercariae enter the main visceral haemocoel by rupture of the wall of the digestive gland and from there enter the main venous vessels deploying through the rectal sinus, sub-renal sinus, lung and heart. The cercariae travel from the heart via the mantle arteries to localize in the mantle sinuses prior to emergence.

The inner surface of the mantle, and in particular its leading edge, is the main site of emergence, and escape of cercariae is, in the final stages at least, an active process. It is suggested that passage of parasites in the blood stream is partly active.

Migration and subsequent emergence is probably facilitated by the activity of the oral cap of spines, the general activity of the cercaria and the activity of the oral and ventral suckers.

A tissue response to the presence of cercariae in the blood vessels and tissues of the mantle is evident, the cells responsible for this being, possibly, actively phagocytizing amoebocytes of the mollusc's blood. The swellings in the epidermis of the mantle in heavy infections may be the result of an accumulation of these cells.

Grateful acknowledgement is expressed to Professor J. Brough for the facilities and encouragement provided during the course of this study. This work was carried out during the tenure by A. J. Probert of a D.S.I.R. Research studentship.
Studies on Demodex folliculorum Simon (1842). I. Life history
Authors: Spickett S. G.
Published: June 2009

1. Histological data are given about the location and frequency of the different stages of the life history of D. folliculorum in the pilo-sebaceous apparatus of man. These data are examined statistically and the relative durations of each stage and their movements in the follicle are deduced from them.

2. A method of in vitro culture is described and data are given about the longevity of the various stages of the life history.

3. Experiments on the behaviour of the different motile stages of the mite are described. It is concluded that the deutonymph is the distributive stage, and that distribution occurs over the skin surface.

4. The life history is reconstructed by a synthesis of the evidence presented. The life-cycle lasts approximately 14½ days, the life span of each stage of it being: ovum 60 hr., larva 36 hr., protonymph 72 hr., deutonymph 60 hr., adult 120 hr. Interval between copulation and oviposition 12 hr.

This work was largely carried out in the Department of Pathology of the Institute of Dermatology, London, and I wish to thank the Director of Pathology, Dr J. O. Oliver, for making available to me the facilities of his department, and for his advice and interest during the progress of the work. The photographs were prepared by Mr R. H. Lunnan of the Photographic Department of the Institute of Dermatology. I am indebted to the Dean of the Institute of Dermatology for permission to publish the photographs.

I am grateful to Mr T. E. Hughes of the Department of Zoology, Birkbeck College, University of London, for his advice at all times, and to Miss Hilda Davies of the Department of Statistics, University of Sheffield, for help with statistical methods and to Mr W. Moseley, who prepared the text figures.

Finally, I wish to express my thanks to Professor I. Chester Jones and Dr E. T. B. Francis of the Department of Zoology, University of Sheffield, for reading the manuscript and for their help in its preparation.
The fine structure of the body wall of Polymorphus minutus (Goeze, 1782) (Acanthocephala)
Authors: Crompton D. W. T. , Lee D. L.
Published: June 2009

The body wall of Polymorphus minutus has been studied with the electron microscope and the structure of the various layers has been described.

The layers are the same in number as those seen with the light microscope, and pores have been found which penetrate the cuticle. Thus, the structure of the surface layers is such as would facilitate the absorption of nutrients.

It has been found that the cuticle and striped layer extend over the trunk spines, a feature which increases the area of the absorptive surface of the parasite.

The structure of the striped layer of the praesoma supports the theory that the praesoma body wall and lemnisci are involved in the absorption of fat.

Mitochondria have been detected in the felt and radial layers of the body wall and in the circular and longitudinal muscles.

The body wall of this acanthocephalan worm is entirely different from the body wall of trematodes, cestodes and parasitic nematodes.

We are grateful to Dr P. Tate for helpful discussions, Dr R. J. Skaer for criticism of the manuscript and to Professor J. D. Boyd for permission to use the electron microscope in the Department of Anatomy. Thanks are also due to Mr A. J. Page for technical assistance.
Experiments with Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Giles, 1892) in the guinea-pig I. The effect of the host response on the distribution of the parasites in the gut
Authors: Connan R. M.
Published: June 2009

The distribution of Trichostrongylus colubriformis in the intestine of the non-immune guinea-pig is described. At day 10 of the primary infection the majority of larvae were found in the anterior half of the small intestine with progressively smaller numbers in all parts of the gut posterior to this. However, soon after day 10 a migration of the worm population took place so that by day 15, before there had been a reduction in the total present, the majority of worms were found in the posterior small intestine. Thereafter the posterior movement continued, but while the numbers in the large intestine increased the movement then coincided with the beginning of the expulsion of the worms.

By the irradiation of guinea-pigs prior to infection the posterior migration was prevented, indicating that the latter was the result of a host response.

The independent migration of two generations of parasites was noted and two possible explanations are put forward.

This work was carried out during the tenure of a Research Training Scholarship awarded by the Animal Health Trust.

The author would like to thank Professor W. I. B. Beveridge in whose Department this work was carried out, and also Mr King of the Department of Radio-therapeutics, University of Cambridge, who irradiated the guinea-pigs used in Expt. 3.
The dynamics of the host-parasite relationship
Authors: Dineen J. K. , Donald A. D. , Wagland B. M. , Offner Jan
Published: June 2009

Two groups of sheep born and raised worm-free were dosed with 3000 infective Haemonchus contortus larvae. Group 1 were each given a single dose of infective larvae on day 0 while the group 3 animals were dosed with 100 infective larvae per day for 30 consecutive days. The results of faecal worm-egg counts performed on alternative days, and of differential worm counts carried out on animals slaughtered at crucial times during the course of infection, showed that retardation of development at the 4th larval stage occurred in the group 3 infections and was the major effect of control of the parasitic burden. There was no evidence that egg production per female was affected.

Three animals of the nineteen infected in group 1 died during the course of the experiment owing to the pathogenic effects of the worm burden. Deaths did not occur among the animals of group 3. This finding was correlated with the observation that haematocrit levels were consistently lower among the animals of group 1 than among those of group 3.

The results are interpreted in terms of the theory of threshold behaviour of the immunological response to parasitic infection.

We are greatly indebted to Dr D. F. Stewart for his interest and constructive criticism during the course of these studies, and to Mr E. Teleki and Misses Helen Giller and Lindy Stothart for their valuable technical assistance.
Survival of the first-stage larvae and infective larvae of Bunostomum trigonocephalum Rudolphi, 1808
Authors: Narain Bandana
Published: June 2009

The free-living larval stages of Bunostomum trigonocephalum are better adapted to low temperatures than high temperatures. Most survived at 10°C.

In tap water, 1st-stage larvae survived for 11 days at 0°C, 17 days at 5°C, 20 days at 10°C, 15 days at 15°C, 18 days at 20°C, 15 days at 25°C, 9 days at 30°C, 7 days at 34°C, 4 days at 35°C, 16 h at 40°C, 40 min at 45°C and 20 min at 50°C.

In tap water infective larvae survived for 40 days at 0°C, 70 days at 5°C, 100 days at 10 and 15°C. 65 days at 20°C, 48 days at 25°C, 38 days at 30°C, 14 days at 34°C, 6 days at 35°C, 5 days at 40°C, 3 h at 45°C and 105 min at 50°C.

In tap water at room temperature infective larvae survived for 26 days in January, 20 days in February, 21 days in March, 13 days in April, 10 days in May, 6 days in June, 9 days in July and August, 11 days in September, 12 days in October, 14 days in November and 17 days in December.

I thank Professor M. B. Lal for his interest and for providing laboratory facilities in the Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow; Dr Premvati for guidance; and the Scientific Research Committee, U.P., India, for financial help.
Radioactive studies on the feeding of larvae, nymphs, and adults of the cattle tick,Boophilus microplus(Canestrini)
Authors: Seifert G. W. , Springell P. H. , Tatchell R. J.
Published: June 2009

The erythrocytes and plasma of a British and Brahman crossbred steer were labelled with51Cr and125I respectively. The radioactivity levels were subsequently maintained as constant as feasible by injecting the steers with calculated amounts of the appropriate labelled material on 3 consecutive days. The steers had previously been heavily infested withBoophilus microplusto ensure that all stages in the parasite's life-cycle would be present during the 4-day period, when the steers were being treated with isotopes.

Various stages ofB. micropluslarvae, nymphs and adults were collected and the uptake of red cells and plasma at each stage assessed by radioassay. In certain calculations, corrections were made for the uptake of blood fractions before the animals were made radioactive.

A relationship between the weight of the tick and its dietary intake was established. At all the stages of larval and nymphal feeding the plasma content of the diet was greater than that of the host blood. However, erythrocytes were detectable even in the earliest larval stages examined. Dropped fully engorged adult females contained more red cells per individual, and generally also more plasma, than engorged ticks removed from the host.

Fully engorged adult females took up as much as twice their own weight of blood components, but in none of the earlier stages did the tick concentrate its blood meal.

No obvious differences could be demonstrated statistically between the behaviour of the parasites on the two hosts. However, indications are that recently attached larvae took up more erythrocytes from the British animal.

We wish to thank Messrs A. K. Duffield, A. J. Short, B. Wilson, and Miss S. J. Shepherd, for skilful technical assistance.
Description of the nymph and the larva of Nosomma monstrosum (Nuttall & Warburton, 1908)
Authors: Singh K. R. P.
Published: June 2009

Arthur & Chaudhuri (1965) have reviewed the literature dealing with the taxonomic status of Nosomma monstrosum (Nuttall & Warburton, 1908). They have also redescribed the adults and have given the host and geographical distribution of this species. There have, however, been no descriptions or records of immature stages of this species. They are described and illustrated here from laboratory-reared and field-collected material. The parent females of the laboratory-reared material were compared with the female specimen in the Indian Museum collection, reg. no. 2172/17, on which the description of the female was based (Warburton, 1918).
The excretory system of the kidney wormStephanurus dentatus(Nematoda)
Authors: Waddell A. H.
Published: June 2009

The growth and morphology of the excretory system ofStephanurus dentatuswere investigated using both the light microscope and the electron microscope. In the 3rd-stage larva a branched tubular system extends from the posterior end of the excretory ampulla. The subventral glands are two elongated cells in the body cavity, and these do not appear to be attached to the tubular system.

The tubular and glandular portions of the excretory system are intimately associated with each other at the posterior end of the ampulla or sinus from the 4th-stage, but throughout their development they remain histologically distinctive. Moreover, the nuclei of each portion of the system are of two different types; those of the tubular system are similar to hypodermal nuclei, whereas the nuclei of the subventral glands are like the intestinal nuclei.

The lateral canals are extensions of the excretory sinus and lie embedded in the hypodermal tissue of the lateral chords. As the worm matures, the lateral canals increase in relative length, and the anterior branch of each lateral canal develops during the 4th stage.

Pink viscous fluid which passes from the excretory pore is identical in appearance with the fluid which is found in the lateral chords. It is suggested that the fluid in the lateral canals gains access to the excretory system by way of canaliculi in the wall of the lateral excretory canal.

I am most grateful to Professor J. F. A. Sprent for his interest and advice during this investigation, and to Mr J. J. Mines and Mr C. Boel for their able technical assistance. I gratefully acknowledge the financial support given for this study by the Australian Dairy Produce Board and the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (No. A 107023–02).
Population studies on the infective stage of some nematode parasites of sheep
Authors: Donald A. D.
Published: June 2009

Studies have been undertaken to examine the alternative hypotheses of a Poisson or a negative binomial distribution of the numbers of strongyloid nematode eggs in deposits of faeces produced by flocks of grazing sheep, which were proposed in certain mathematical models for the distribution of strongyloid infective larvae on pastures.

Observations were made on the distribution of the weights of faecal deposits produced by flocks of ewes and lambs. In all cases the distribution was found to be significantly positively skewed. A possible fundamental basis for this skewness has been suggested.

The distribution of strongyloid egg concentration in random samples of faecal deposits collected from pasture, and the distribution of egg concentration for the single species N. battus and N. filicollis in rectal samples of faeces collected from a lamb flock, have both shown highly significant departures from a Poisson distribution. This, coupled with the fact that the weights of individual deposits vary widely, provide strong empirical grounds for rejecting the Poisson distribution as a model for the distribution of egg numbers per deposit.

An examination of the distribution of egg counts for N. battus and N. filicollis in samples of faeces collected from a lamb flock at weekly intervals through the spring and summer has suggested that the distribution tends to become more overdispersed with the passage of time and as the mean egg count is falling.

Fundamental grounds for preferring a more general model, such as the negative binomial, to describe the distribution of strongyloid egg output in flocks of sheep have been discussed.

These studies were carried out under the supervision of Dr H. D. Crofton, to whom I am deeply grateful for his stimulating encouragement and constructive criticism. My thanks go also to Professor J. E. Harris, C.B.E., F.R.S., for the provision of facilities in the Department of Zoology, and to Professor T. K. Ewer and Mr M. R. McCrea for the provision and handling of pastures and sheep at the School of Veterinary Science, Langford. This work was undertaken during tenure of a C.S.I.R.O. Overseas Research Studentship.
The life-history ofHyalomma anatolicum anatolicumKoch, 1844 (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions
Authors: Snow K. R.
Published: June 2009

The durations of the various phases of the life-history of the ixodid tickH. anatolicum anatolicumare described with particular reference to the modifying influence of temperature and relative humidity. An increase in the ambient temperature was found to decrease the length of the feeding, preoviposition, oviposition, larval and nymphal moulting periods and the egg-incubation period. The effect of change in relative humidity was less marked, the only significant effect being on the oviposition period which was protracted when the relative humidity was increased.

Daily percentage water loss and longevity were found to be more or less inversely proportional. Thus at high temperatures and low relative humidities a large percentage of water was lost daily with consequent reduced life span.

I wish to thank Dr R. P. Chaudhuri for providing me with the specimens ofH. anatolicum anatolicumfrom which the culture was started, and Professor D. R. Arthur for his advice and assistance. I am also grateful to the Science Research Council for the provision of a research grant.
Radio isotope studies on the blood loss associated with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in rats
Authors: Neilson J. T. McL.
Published: June 2009

Red blood cells from rats were labelled with 51Cr by in vitro incubation with labelled sodium chromate. After re-injection of autologous labelled red cells, rats, each infected with 5000 N. brasiliensis larvae, and non-infected controls were placed in individual metabolism cages. Twenty-four hour samples of faeces and urine from both groups were collected throughout the course of the infection. From a knowledge of the specific radioactivity of host blood, it was possible to express the radioactivity found in the faeces and urine in terms of volume of whole blood. A burden of approximately 1000 adult worms caused a blood loss of about 100 μl every 24 h during the period day 4 to day 14 after infection. This gastro-intestinal haemorrhage could provide a vehicle whereby antibody gains access to the worm. No radioactivity was found in adult worms isolated from infected rats killed at 2-day intervals throughout the course of the infection. Adult N. brasiliensis did not ingest an appreciable quantity of host blood.
Some effects of the diet of mice on Nematospiroides dubius (Nematoda)
Authors: Bawden R. J.
Published: June 2009

The establishment of N. dubius juveniles was more successful in mice maintained on a diet inadequate to support the full growth potential of the animals than in mice maintained on an adequate diet. The distribution of encysted juveniles along the duodenum was considerably more extensive in the former group of mice.

More juveniles were established in male than in female mice within the respective dietary groups, although the pattern of distribution was similar.

The distribution of adult nematodes at 10 days after infection was confined to a smaller area of the duodenum than that of the encysted juveniles at 5 days.

The differences in distribution of nematodes after 5 and 10 days between the HP and LP mice was not evident after 21 days. The survival of adult nematodes in the HP mice was more successful than in the LP animals.

The female nematodes in the LP mice achieved a greater length but were less prolific egg producers than those in the HP mice.

A diet inadequate to support the full growth potential of mice was therefore associated with the increased ability of Nematospiroides dubius juveniles to establish themselves in mice compared with the situation in adequately fed animals. The low plane diet, on the other hand, was associated with a decreased ability of the adult nematodes to survive.

This work was supported by grants from the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan and the Australian Wool Board. I should like to express my appreciation for the supervision of this work by Professor J. F. A. Sprent and to thank Miss Sharon McFeeter and Mrs Anne McKeown for their most competent technical assistance.
An in vivo screening method for anthelmintic activity using Hymenolepis nana var fraterna in mice
Authors: Crowley J.
Published: June 2009

An in vivo test is described for the screening of compounds for anthelmintic activity using Hymenolepsis nana var fraterna in mice. Results obtained with known taenicides and taenifuges are tabled, analysed and compared with their action against the tapeworms of larger animals including man.

My thanks are due to Messrs Boots Pure Drug Co. for permission to publish, Mr J. W. G. Leiper, F.R.C.V.S. for his help and advice, and Miss J. Smith for her able technical assistance.
Studies on the resistance of rats to the nematodeNippostrongylus muris(Yokogawa, 1920). III. Attempt to transfer immunity adoptively
Authors: Hunter G. C. , Leigh L. C.
Published: June 2009

Two attempts to transfer immunity againstN. muristo rats using the lymph node and spleen cells from actively immunized donors were unsuccessful. Experiments showed that the rats were sufficiently inbred, that the transfer technique was satisfactory, and that the donors were adequately immunized. The rats' competence as donors for adoptive transfer was demonstrated with sheep red cells as antigen. The adoptive transfer of immunity against sheep red cells was successful in recipients whose donors had sheep red cells only and noN. muris. There was no detectable transfer of immunity againstN. murisor sheep red cells to recipients whose donors had received both.

We are very grateful to Miss Kathleen O'Brien for technical assistance, to Professor P. B. Medawar, F.R.S., for his help and advice and to Dr E. J. Delorme for showing us Professor M. F. A. Woodruff's skin-grafting technique.
Structure and function in the nematode pharynx
Authors: Mapes C. J.
Published: June 2009

The pharyngeal pump of Ascaris has been shown to have a very high capacity. While the contraction rate of the organ is probably of the same order as those of complex pharynges, the volume of material ingested at each pump is relatively higher. It is suggested that the pharynx acts as a simple two-stage pump in which half the lumen is filled with food at any one time.

It has been suggested that the antagonism to the radial musculature of the pharynx resides in changes related to an increase in the diameter of the pharynx during the opening of its lumen. It is suggested that the closing of the lumen is facilitated by the increased tension in the outer coat of the pharynx and in the suspensory strands of the marginal tissues; and by the contraction of the radial musculature that is orientated towards the sides of the sectors of the pharynx, towards the marginal tissues.

I would like to thank Professor J. E. Harris and Dr H. D. Crofton for their help and criticism during the course of this work, which was carried out during the tenure of a Postgraduate Studentship awarded by the Agricultural Research Council.
The genus Capillaria Zeder, 1800 (Nematoda) in British passerine birds
Authors: Wakelin D.
Published: June 2009

Three species of the nematode genus Capillaria Zeder, 1800, namely C. exilis, C. ovopunctata and C. similis, are described from material collected from the intestines of four avian hosts—Turdus merula, T. viscivorus, T. ericetorum and Sturnus vulgaris. C. similis is fully described for the first time. A consideration of these species reveals that the original description of C. exilis is inaccurate and that some revision is necessary in the systematics of this and of the other two species.
Three species of the genus Geopetitia Chabaud (Nematoda: Spirurata) from Australian birds
Authors: Mawson Patricia M.
Published: June 2009

Among over 700 Australian birds dissected, Geopetitia spp. were found in three. These are described as new species, as follows: G. streperae from Strepera melanoptera, G. chibiae (female only) from Chibia bracteata, and G. falco (female only) from Falco longipennis.

Types of the new species will be deposited in the South Australian Museum. Paratype material of G. streperae will be in the Helminthological Collection of the Zoology Department of the University of Adelaide.

The three birds from which the Geopetitia spp. were taken were collected by ornithologists of the South Australian Museum, to whom I am most grateful.
An in vitro technique for the production of eggs of Echinococcus granulosus by maturation of partly developed strobila
Authors: Smyth J. D. , Howkins A. B.
Published: June 2009

Partly developed strobila of Echinococcus granulosus from a 28–38 days infection in a dog have been brought to maturity by culturing in both liquid and diphasic media.

Surface-sterilization of the worms from dogs was achieved by use of antibiotics. Maturation was most successful in a diphasic system consisting of Parker 199+10% inactivated bovine serum over a solid base of coagulated bovine serum and a gas phase of 8% O2+5% CO2 in N2.

In the most successful results in diphasic media, a 28-day-old strobila reached maturity after a further 14 days in vitro culture, and a 35-day-old strobila matured after 6 days culture.

Ova produced in vitro showed activity but were not tested for infectivity. Abnormalities developed in some cultures, especially in monophasic media.

This work was supported by the Australian Wool Board, the World Health Organization and U.S. Public Health Service Research Grant no. E 4707–03.
The life-cycle of Echinoparyphium hydromyos sp.nov. (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) from the Australian water-rat
Authors: Angel L. Madeline
Published: June 2009

Echinoparyphium hydromyos sp.nov. with forty-five collar spines is described from the Australian water rat, Hydromys chrysogaster Geoffr.

The cercaria occurs naturally in Plananisus isingi (Cotton & Godfrey), and all stages in the life-history have been demonstrated experimentally.

Encystation occurs in the kidneys of tadpoles.

The adult is most closely related to Echinoparyphium recurvatum (Linstow). It differs from this in its greater number of eggs and in its life-history. E. recurvatum occurs predominantly in birds, and is rarely found naturally in mammals. E. hydromyos has been found only in a mammal.

Cercaria echinoparyphii hydromyos is compared with C. clelandae Johnston and Angel; it differs from the latter in the ‘compound’ nature of the excretory granules. The adult of C. clelandae has not been demonstrated in spite of a number of experiments to determine it.

Type material has been deposited in the South Australian Museum.

I wish to acknowledge the help given by my colleague, Patricia M. Thomas, in field work and in other ways, and by Mr Ian Smith, of this department, in the experimental work on life-history studies.
Studies on the helminth parasites of the herring gull, Larus argentatus Pontopp., in Northern Caernarvonshire and Anglesey
Authors: Threlfall William
Published: June 2009

A survey was made of the helminth fauna of 657 herring gulls (474 ‘adults’ and 183 chicks) in northern Caernarvonshire and Anglesey during the period July 1962 to November 1964. A total of 31 species of helminths were identified (10 species of Trematoda, 11 of Cestoda and 10 of Nematoda), including 1 new species, four new host records and three new British records. Two species of Mallophaga were identified from the birds. In three cases (Gymnophallus deliciosus, Paricterotaenia porosa and Capillaria contorta) a significant difference was found in the burden carried by male and female birds. ‘Adult’ birds were generally found to be more heavily infected with helminths than the chicks, with the exception of the nematode Cyathostoma lari, which was found more frequently in the chicks. A new intermediate host for Capillaria contorta was noted, namely Eiseniella tetraedra.

Three species of Trematoda, two of Cestoda, and two of Nematoda were found to be cyclic (seasonal) in their time of appearance. Tetrabothrius spp. appeared most frequently in winter, whilst Anomotaenia larina was found only during the summer months. C. lari showed a primary peak of appearance in summer, with a secondary peak in winter. Capillaria contorta appeared in high numbers throughout the year.

The distribution of helminths within the birds was also examined. Gymnophallus deliciosus was generally found in the gall bladder, whilst Parorchis acanthus was found only in the rectum. Intestinal trematodes were normally found in the mid-third of the small intestine (e.g. Spelotrema excellens, Himasthla elongata). In the case of C. lingua, however, peak numbers were found in the duodenum, whilst Brachylaemus fuscatus was found most frequently in the posterior third of the small intestine. Cestodes appeared most frequently in the anterior or posterior thirds of the small intestine (e.g. Tetrabothrius spp., Anomotaenia micracantha). Hymenolepis cirrosa showed two peaks of infection along the length of the small intestine, a small one in the anterior third, a much larger one in the posterior third. Attempts were made to correlate the helminth burden found with the food eaten by the birds and the availability of intermediate hosts.

I should like to thank Mr J. Hobart and Dr I. V. Herbert for all the help that they have given me in the preparation of this manuscript, and also the bodies that gave me permission to shoot birds on their land, particularly the Nature Conservancy. Finally, I would like to thank the S.R.C. for the grant that made this work possible.
A new malarial parasite of the flying squirrel
Authors: Dasgupta B.
Published: June 2009

The tissue stages and the erythrocytic stages of a malarial parasite infecting a flying squirrel of Darjeeling (Petaurista magnificus) are described. It is shown that this parasite cannot be accommodated in the existing genera of the malarial parasites of mammals (Plasmodium, Hepatocystis and Nycteria). A new genus, Rayella, is proposed to receive this parasite, which is named Rayella rayi (synonym: Plasmodium sp., Ray, 1949; Hepatocystis rayi, Tokura & Wu, 1961). The tissue stages of the parasite are represented by the groups of small schizonts in the form of cystic bodies, which occur in association with the smaller blood-vessels of the liver.

The author is grateful to Professor P. C. C. Garnham of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, for his interest and valuable advice. The author wishes to record his special thanks to Professor H. N. Ray who kindly placed the relevant literature and his slides and drawings at the disposal of the author. Professor Ray's unpublished drawings of the erythrocytic stages of the malarial parasite of the flying squirrel (Petaurista inornatus) are reproduced here with his special permission.
The phenomena of host resistance and the course of infection of Ostertagia ostertagi in calves
Authors: Michel J. F.
Published: June 2009

A study of the changes in the worm burden in calves receiving daily doses of infective larvae of Ostertagia ostertagi indicates that the following processes occur:

(1) A constant loss of adult worms at a rate depending on the number present.

(2) An inhibition of development in the early fourth stage which depends partly on the presence of adult worms. This inhibition is not irreversible; larvae resume their development, the number which do so depending on the number present.

(3)A stunting of adult worms, those developing late in the infection failing to grow as large as those which developed earlier.

(4)An inhibition of ovulation, distinct from the stunting, which prevents worms developing later from becoming as prolific as those which developed earlier.

(5)A resistance to the establishment of newly acquired worms, which begins to operate after prolonged exposure to infection.

The loss of adult worms and their replacement by the further development of fourth stage larvae leads to a frequent exchange of populations of adult worms.

The effect of these phenomena in determining the course of the infection is discussed.
A new species of Oswaldocruzia Travassos (Nematoda-Trichostrongylidae) from a Malayan frog
Authors: Yuen P. H.
Published: June 2009

Whilst examining amphibian helminths collected from Pahang, Malaya, a hitherto undescribed species of Oswaldocruzia was found among them. In a previous paper (Yuen, 1962), I have recorded the only other Malayan species of Oswaldocruzia: namely O. hoepplii Hsu from Bufo melanostictus Boulenger, Rana macrodon Boulenger, and R. cancrivora Gravenhorst from various parts of Singapore.