bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence of the Successful Destruction of Schistosomes
Authors: Cawston F. G.
Published: June 2009

In human schistosome infections there is always the possibility that a patient may harbour a preponderance of male parasites, or that female parasites may be absent or remain undeveloped for long periods of time. This possibility is not generally recognised, in spite of the fact that the above-mentioned conditions are frequent in experimental tests. And it is evident that, if such conditions do hold for man, the mere absence of eggs from the urine or faeces is of little avail in determining the presence of an infection or in estimating the effects of treatment. Since, further, the ova are not readily detected in faeces and slight infections of the urine are demonstrable only when the very last drops of urine are collected and centrifugalised, a less uncertain and laborious method of estimation is clearly desirable. The complement-fixation test is not entirely trustworthy, though a negative result and a normal blood count would prove useful evidence of successful treatment. It is suggested in this paper that the degree of eosinophilia may afford a reliable confirmatory test.
Five new species of Myxosporidia from marine fishes
Authors: Kabata Z.
Published: June 2009

Five new species of Myxosporidia are described and figured. They are: Ceratomyxa auerbachi, Davisia longibrachia, Myxidium laticurvum, Parvicapsula unicornis and Sphaerospora irregularis. The first two are parasitic in the gall-bladders, while the remaining three in the urinary bladders of various teleosts in the North Sea.
A new genus and species of Mallophaga
Authors: Clay Theresa
Published: June 2009

Elsewhere (paper in the Press) the author has shown that the majority of species originally described underGoniodes, although somewhat diverse in form, are fundamentally similar and cannot be separated generically. However, there are certain species originally placed inGoniodeswhich are generically distinct and should be separated. Among these is a group of species, forming the new genus described below, which is distinguished in both sexes by the small size of the first segment and the characters of the terminal segments of the abdomen and in the male by the form of the clavi.
The method of division of Trepomonas agilis in culture
Authors: Bishop Ann
Published: June 2009

Trepomonas Agilis, first described by Dujardin (1841), is commonly found in ponds rich in decaying organic matter, and in infusions. This flagellate was well known to early workers (Stein, 1878; Kent, 1880–2; Bütschli, 1878, 1889; Klebs, 1892; and others), but owing to its rapid movements they had difficulty in studying its structure and counting its flagella. More recently Wenyon & Broughton-Alcock (1924) found a Trepomonas occurring, together with a species of Bodo, coprozoically in a mucous stool from a human being suffering from colitis.
On the Genus Cybicola Bassett-Smith (1898)
Authors: Kirtisinghe P.
Published: June 2009

Bassett-Smith (1898 a) described a new parasitic copepod from the gills of Cybium guttatum at Bombay and named it Helleria armata, but later (1898 b) altered the name of the genus to Cybicola as the former name happened to be preoccupied. This parasite was not again recorded until the present author (1935) redescribed the female from the gills of Scomberemorus commersoni (Lacepede) (= Cybium commersoni) and at the same time suggested the transference of this species to the genus Pseudocycnus Heller (1865). The reasons for this suggestion were based on a comparison of the female of Bassett-Smith's species with the females of the two known species of Pseudocycnus (vide Wilson, 1922). Now, however, the author has been able to obtain from the same host a male of this copepod which is here described. The evidence from this description concludes the argument in favour of the inclusion of this form within the genus Pseudocycnus.
A Coccidian from the eggs of Thalassema neptuni Gaertner
Authors: Mackinnon Doris L. , Ray H. N.
Published: June 2009

1. An account is given of a sporozoan parasite, hitherto known as Monocystis thalassemae Lankester, and its coccidian nature is demonstrated.

2. Schizogony and sporogony both occur in the eggs of Thalassema neptuni while these are in the genital pouches (nephridial sacs). Schizogony was observed on three occasions, and only the later stages were seen.

3. The full-grown sexual parasites are vermiform and immobile. The males are smaller than the females.

4. The microgametocyte, when it becomes spherical, gives rise to very numerous, elongate microgametes, similar to those of Aggregata.

5. Fertilization has not been observed. The oocystic membrane is only sometimes formed and is always inconspicuous.

6. At all stages where a chromosome count was possible, the number of chromosomes was seven. The reduction division is zygotic. No polymitotic figures were observed either in microgametogenesis or in sporogony.

7. Numerous sporocysts are produced. These may contain as many as twelve nuclei, and presumably give rise to at least twelve sporozoites. The formation of sporozoites has not been observed by us, but was noted by Lankester.

8. A new coccidian genus, Ovivora, is created for this organism, which now becomes Ovivora thalassemae (Lankester) and is relegated to the subfamily Aggregatinae in Hoare's classification.
Immunity in trypanosomiasis
Authors: Ingram D. G. , Soltys M. A.
Published: June 2009

Studies on immuno-conglutinin levels in animals infected with T. brucei have shown that immuno-conglutinin appears in rabbits infected with T. brucei ‘M’ variant within 7 days after infection and reaches its peak titre within 30 days. In rabbits infected with the more virulent ‘R’ variant immuno-conglutinin levels rose more rapidly and reached peak titres within 10–14 days after infection.

High levels of immuno-conglutinin are detectable in the sera of rabbits and cats infected with trypanosomes before a significant amount of neutralizing antibody is produced. This difference is most marked in animals infected with the antibody-resistant variant ‘R’ which is more virulent for rabbits.

In animals treated effectively the immuno-conglutinin level dropped to its pre-infection level, while the titre of neutralizing antibody only decreased to a slightly lower level.

No change in the titres of immuno-conglutinin and neutralizing antibody was observed after treatment of animals infected with a drug-resistant strain.

These results are very promising for further field trials and introduce a new approach and method for testing the efficiency of chemotherapy in trypanosomiasis.
A new acarine parasite of bats
Authors: Lawrence R F.
Published: June 2009

The parasites described in this paper were taken from twelve specimens of the Natal horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus geoffroyi zuluensis) found in a cave near Wartburg, Natal, in May 1937. Thirteen specimens of the parasite were taken from the vibrissae situated on or near the nose-leaf of the host, each of them being attached near the base of one of these tactile hairs. No single vibrissa was found to have more than one parasite attached to it. The largest number of mites taken from any one host animal was four, the smallest was one, and none were found on any part of the body other than the facial region. With the aid of a hand lens the parasites can easily be seen clinging to the nasal vibrissae, where they appear as minute white specks. So far as I am aware mites of the family Listrophoridae have not previously been described or recorded from South Africa.
Rat-fleas in Plymouth
Authors: Mayfield R. B.
Published: June 2009

1. Three species of flea were found on rats caught on the docks of Plymouth, England, namely, Nosopsyllus (Ceratophyllus) fasciatus, Xenopsylla cheopis, and Leptopsylla segnis (musculi).

2. The findings of Xenopsylla cheopis were almost entirely confined to a certain grain store, whence the flea was obtained constantly throughout the period of the investigation.

3. A few rats caught in the town of Plymouth yielded Leptopsylla segnis and Nosopsyllus fasciatus, but no Xenopsylla cheopis.
On Anomotaenia gallinaginis n.sp. from the intestine of the common snipe, Gallinago gallinago (Linn.)
Authors: Davies Thomas Idwal
Published: June 2009

Two mature worms of this species were recovered from the small intestine of a Common Snipe, Gallinago gallinago (Liun.), shot on a Cardiganshire moor in July 1935. Three mature worms were again obtained from a Common Snipe shot on the same moor in the third week of October 1936, just prior to the arrival of the migrant snipe.
Sheep myiasis in south-west Scotland, with special reference to the species involved
Authors: Haddow A. J. , Thomson R. C. Muirhead
Published: June 2009

1. Sheep myiasis was investigated in certain districts in Ayrshire, Arran and Argyllshire.

2. Larvae from cases of myiasis were collected and bred out in flyproof apparatus.

3. The fly season was found to last approximately from May till September, reaching its height in July and August.

4. The western districts were found to be the most heavily affected.

5. The flies were found to be partial to low-lying, sheltered ground, especially where much bracken was present.

6. The methods of carcass burial were found to be primitive and inadequate. In most of the farms dipping was carried out without sufficient attention to cleanliness and adequate time of immersion.

7. The hibernation of various species of blow-fly was studied. They were found to pass the winter as prepupae, pupation never occurring normally till April or May.

8. Several species of carrion-feeding blow-fly besides Lucilia sericata were found to be causing secondary myiasis, occasionally and in small numbers, in certain districts, mainly in the west. The species involved were: Lucilia caesar, L. illustris, Protophormia terraenovae, Calliphora erythrocephala, C. vomitoria and Muscina pabulorum. Four of these species Lucilia illustris, Protophormia terraenovae, Calliphora vomitoria and Muscina pabulorum have not previously been recorded from sheep. Records of cases in which these flies occurred are given.
Life history ofGigantobilharzia huronensisNajim, 1950. A dermatitis-producing bird blood-fluke (Trematoda-Schistosomatidae)
Authors: Najim Abbas T.
Published: June 2009

1. The life cycle ofGigantobilharzia huronensisNajim, 1950, was determined experimentally. The snail,Physa gyrina(Say), served as the intermediate host. The natural definitive hosts were goldfinches (Spinus tristis tristis) and the cardinals (Richmondena cardinalis). Chicks and canaries served as susceptible hosts in the laboratory

2. The shortest time recorded for the hatching of eggs in water is about 20 min. Cercariae were liberated from the snail as early as 24 days after exposure. Eggs were found in the faeces of the definitive host 31 days after the first exposure to the cercariae.

3. Adult worms are elongate and filiform. Females are longer than males, and in both sexes the oral and ventral suckers are absent. The cuticle has no spines. A short gynaecophoric canal is present. Up to 300 testes are present in the male and the cirrus is spiny. Laurer's canal is present and vitelline follicles fill most of the body of the female. Eggs are spherical to very broadly ovoid in shape and averaged 93µ in length by 88µ in width. The uterus contains from one to several eggs at a time, and the genital pore is located shortly posterior to the mouth opening.

4. The miracidium has a peculiar wide gap between the second and third rows of epidermal plates. The body covering consists of twenty-two epidermal plates arranged in four rows of 6:9:4:3. The mother sporocyst has an elongate, sac-like body. A birth pore is present in the mature mother sporocysts. The daughter sporocyst also has an elongate body, but the anterior end is covered with spines. A birth pore is present in the mature daughter sporocysts.

5. The cercaria is an apharyngeal, furcocercous, brevifurcate, distome with pigmented eyespots; the body averaging 240µ in length by 72·5µ in width; the tail stem averaging 268·5µ in length by 30µ, in width; the furca averaging 146·8µ in length by 15µ in width. The furcae have fin folds. The body and tail are covered with spines. There are five pairs of penetration glands and an oral gland. The excretory system is usually 2[(2) + (2+1)]. The cercaria attaches to the surface film of the water with the body parallel to it and the tail hanging downward at different angles. The cercaria is a dermatitis producer in human skin.
The life history and pathogenicity of Eimeria Meleagrimitis Tyzzer 1929, in the turkey poult
Authors: Clarkson M. J.
Published: June 2009

The life cycle and pathogenicity are described of a pure strain of Eimeria isolated from turkey poults in Great Britain and identified as E. meleagrimitis.

There were three schizogony cycles followed by a sexual generation.

The coccidium produced a high mortality and loss of weight in young poults.

An age resistance developed by the time the poults were 8–10 weeks of age.

The pathology of the infection is described.
Ditrachybothridium macrocephalum gen.nov., sp.nov., a cestode from some elasmobranch fishes
Authors: Rees Gwendolen
Published: June 2009

1. Ditrachybothridium macrocephalum gen.nov., sp.nov., is described.

2. The systematic position is discussed and the species compared with species of the genus Echinobothrium to which it seems to be fairly closely related.
Dendrogaster tasmaniensis sp.nov. (Ascothoracida) from the sea-star Allostichaster polyplax (Müller and Troschel)
Authors: Hickman J. L.
Published: June 2009

The genus Myriocladus Okada is considered to be a synonym of the genus Dendrogaster Knipowitsch.

The female and male of a new species, D. tasmaniensis sp.nov. from the sea-star Allostichaster polyplax (Müller and Troschel), are described.

Appendages interpreted as antennae are present in the female, male and ascothoracid larva of the new species.

A brief account is given of the manner in which the larva of D. tasmaniensis sp.nov. enters and escapes from the host.
Variation in the ixodid tick, Ixodes arboricola Schulze & Schlottke 1929
Authors: Haarløv Niels
Published: June 2009

1. Seventy-three females, 1 male, 20 nymphs and 1 larva of Ixodes arboricola Schulze & Schlottke, 1929 were found on a juvenile enfeebled starling (June, 1933, Denmark).

2. Range of variability of employed systematic characteristics of this species has been checked, and it was found impossible to preserve the following subspecies of I. arboricola, muscicapae, domesticus and bogatschevi.

3. Between length and breadth of idiosoma of female, and between lengths of legs I and III (excluding trochanter and coxa) the ratio was found to be almost linear. A deformed leg II is described as a case of regeneration.

4. I. arboricola, I. passericola, I. dryadis, and I. strigicola are regarded as synonyms and have all been incorporated in the species I. arboricola, the habitat of which is birds' nests in tree cavities.

For supplying material for this study I wish to thank Professor M. Christiansen, State Veterinary Serum Laboratory, Copenhagen; Dr B. Hubendick, Director of ‘Naturhistoriska Museet’, Gothenburg; Dr S. L. Tuxen, Head of the entomological department of ‘Universitetets zoologiske Museum’, Copenhagen, and Dr Glen M. Kohls, Sanitarian director for the loan of P. Schulze's former collection of ticks.

I am most thankful to Dr Don Arthur, for advice and critical reading of the manuscript.
Problems concerned with gametogenesis in Haemosporidiidea, with particular reference to the genus Plasmodium
Authors: Bishop Ann
Published: June 2009

Although many interesting observations have been made upon gametogenesis in Haemosporidiidea many fundamental problems await solution. Our knowledge of the nuclear changes occurring during the development of the gametes and the fertilization of the female gamete is still incomplete. Little is known of the factors which control gametocyte production, though there is evidence that in some species, i.e. Leucocytozoon simondi and Haemoproteus columbae in the duck, it is influenced by the physiological stage of the host. The type of host and the method of transmission have also been shown to affect the numbers of gametocytes formed in some species. No correlation has been found in Plasmodium, the genus in which this subject has been studied extensively, between acquired immunity and gametocyte formation. Although a broad relationship has been demonstrated in Plasmodium between the density of gametocytes in the blood and the oocyst rate and density assessed in susceptible mosquitoes, hosts heavily infected with apparently ripe gametocytes may prove non-infective to susceptible mosquitoes. In birds heavily infected with P. gallinaceum, serum taken at the peak of parasitaemia has been shown to affect adversely the infectivity of gametocytes to mosquitoes. Pamaquin and primaquine, in small doses, inhibit the development of gametocytes completely, whereas proguanil may not prevent the formation of oocysts though it inhibits their subsequent development. High densities of gametocytes have been observed in patients treated with proguanil or sulphamethazine. An actual in crease in the number of gametocytes produced, as compared with the untreated control strain, was observed in strains of P. gallinaceum in process of developing resistance to sulphadiazine, proguanil or 2:4-diamino-6:7-diisopropylpteridine as a result of treatment with those drugs.
The effect of host lactation on a second infection of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in rats
Authors: Connan R. M.
Published: June 2009

Rats were infected with 1000 larvae at the time of mating and they were given a second infection while suckling a new-born litter some 3½ weeks later. Although they did have significantly more worms than immune controls such rats were nevertheless highly resistant to challenge with infective larvae. However, when challenged with adult worms, immunized lactating rats were unable to eliminate the second infection.

That the failure of self-cure in this case was not because adult worms are less antigenic in lactating rats was shown in the third experiment. Lactating rats were immunized by infection either with adult worms only or with larvae allowed to complete their life-cycle. When subsequently challenged with infective larvae during the same lactation, both groups were equally resistant. It is therefore concluded that in lactating rats the gut phase of N. brasiliensis infection is in some way protected from the self-cure mechanism. This may be due either to absence of an essential factor operating late in the process, or to the presence of a potentiating factor which allows the worms to survive.

The author would like to thank Professor W. I. B. Beveridge in whose Department this work was carried out, and the Agricultural Research Council for their financial assistance. It is also a pleasure to acknowledge the technical assistance of Mr J. A. Wilson and Mr P. W. Holmes.
Schistosoma mansoni: the development of the cercarial tegument
Authors: Hockley David J.
Published: June 2009

Young cercariae were covered with a thin nucleated primitive epithelium which was lost when the true tegument appeared beneath it. The tegument was at first similar to the primitive epithelium in that it was a nucleated, cytoplasmic syncytium but it could be distinguished from the primitive epithelium by its thickened outer membrane and by the layer of interstitial material beneath its basal membrane. The tegumental nuclei became pycnotic and disappeared and, at about the same time, nucleated subtegumental cells became continuous with the tegument. Two types of small, dense bodies were formed in the subtegumental cells and passed into the tegument. Later in development the tegument became filled with dense, granular material and spines were formed. The fully developed cercarial tegument was covered with a surface coat of fibrous material which was specifically attached to the outer membrane of the tegument.

The observations described in this paper formed part of a thesis approved by the University of London for the Degree of Ph.D.
Studies on the surfaces of cercariae and schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Kusel J. R.
Published: June 2009

The physical nature of the cercarial surface has been observed by several workers to change during the penetration of the cercaria through the skin and its metamorphosis into the schistosomulum. Very little is known about the chemistry of this change. This paper reports the effects of the treatment of the surfaces of cercariae and schistosomula with various reagents as assessed by light microscopy. It was found that there were great differences in the stability of the surfaces of these parasitic forms. The schistosomular surface was stable to 0·2 m acetic acid, 5% calcium chloride and 8 m urea, whereas the cercarial surface was affected by these reagents. 8 m urea completely dissolved the cercarial surface, while it had little visible effect on that of the schistosomulum. This dissolution of the cercarial surface could be prevented by including small quantities of sodium or calcium chloride in the 8 m urea solution. A method has been developed to isolate pure preparations of cercarial and schistosomular surfaces. Hypotheses about the chemical changes in the surface during metamorphosis should be amenable to investigation using this method.
The response to desiccation of eggs of Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae)
Authors: Waller P. J. , Donald A. D.
Published: June 2009

Eggs of T. colubriformis and H. contortus were separated from faeces. Their response to desiccation was compared by subjecting them, at different stages of development, to a range of relative humidities. Many eggs of T. colubriformis at all stages of development survived desiccation at relative humidities down to 75%, whereas the only H. contortus eggs to survive were those exposed to the highest relative humidity and which had already undergone a substantial amount of development before desiccation.
The distribution of larvae of Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi in the flight muscle fibres of Aedes aegypti and Mansonia uniformis
Authors: Beckett Evelyn B. , Macdonald W. W.
Published: June 2009

1. The distribution of filarial larvae in the dorsoventral and dorsal-longitudinal muscle fibre groups was studied in serial sections of mosquitoes of a susceptible strain of Aedes aegypti infected with Brugia pahangi or subperiodic B. malayi and of wild-caught Mansonia uniformis mosquitoes containing the latter parasite.

2. The experiments showed that more larvae were situated in the dorsal-longitudinal muscle than in the dorsoventral and that the difference in numbers was highly significant.
The development of a standard method for rapid ecdysis of infective Haemonchus contortus cayugensis larvae
Authors: Slocombe J. Owen D. , Whitlock J. H.
Published: June 2009

Infective Haemonchus contortus cayugensis larvae were rapidly exsheathed (20 min) using 0·02 m-Na2B4O7. 10H2O, a gas mixture of 40 % CO2–60 % N2, and subsequent aeration with compressed air as reported previously. Several variables in this system were examined. The optimum concentration of sodium tetraborate was found to be 0·02 m. The exsheathment rate decreased with increasing molarities of the salt over the range 0·02–0·08 m. Exsheathment rates were low when the larvae received the full stimulus to exsheath for only 5 and 10 min before aeration. The larvae required at least 15 min of the full stimulus before aeration to ensure high exsheathment rates. The rapid method of ecdysis caused no abnormalities in or death of larvae, and all the larvae at the end of the incubation period were very motile and appeared normal. The exsheathment rate was consistently high as the larval concentration was increased from 2 ×103 to 2×106/10 ml of 0·02 m-Na2B4O7. 10H2O.
Changes in the food intake and body weight of protein-malnourished rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nematoda)
Authors: Crompton D. W. T. , Walters D. E. , Arnold Susan
Published: June 2009

The daily food intake and related changes in body weight were measured in young rats which were fed on synthetic diets containing 1% (3 experiments), 2% (4 experiments) and 20% (1 experiment) casein respectively. Some rats were infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and allowed to feed ad libitum, some remained uninfected and were allowed to feed ad libitum while others, which were matched by initial weight with rats from the infected group, remained uninfected and were given only the same amount of food as that consumed during the previous 24 h by their infected partners. No significant differences were detected between the rats before the start of the infection. Thereafter, the food intake of the infected undernourished rats was usually found to be significantly lower and the loss of body weight significantly greater than those of the uninfected rats. In infection periods of relatively long duration, the pair-fed uninfected rats did not lose as much weight as their infected partners even though their food intake (1% and 2% casein) was the same. Although the food intake, and consequently the weight, of infected rats fed on the diet containing 20% casein were significantly less than in their uninfected partners, no significant differences were observed between the weights of the infected and pair-fed rats fed on this diet.
Na+–K+ transport, motility and tegumental membrane potential in adult male Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Fetterer R. H. , Pax R. A. , Bennett J. L.
Published: June 2009

Ouabain applied to adult male Schistosoma mansoni causes a large, non-reversible tension increase of the parasite's musculature and elimination of spontaneous contractions. The tension increase and the time-course of tension development caused by ouabain are dose dependent with significant effects obtained at 3 × 10−6m. Digoxin and digoxigenin act in a similar manner with a relative potency of ouabain ≃ digoxin > digoxigenin. Lowered temperature as well as substitution of Li+ for Na+ increases muscle tension. The membrane potential recorded from the ventral tegument is also affected by treatments which interact with Na+–K+ transport systems. Ouabain (0·1 mm) causes a rapid depolarization without a significant effect on membrane resistance. The tegument is depolarized by temperatures below 30 °C. The effect of temperature is readily reversible and the temperature sensitivity is eliminated by pretreatment with ouabain. Substitution of Li+ for Na+ also causes a depolarization of the tegument. Tracer experiments show both an increase in Na+ and a decrease in K+ in the parasite within 10 min after treatment with ouabain (1 × 10−5m). Decreasing temperature of the bathing medium also causes an accumulation of Na+ as well as a decrease in the animals. The above results indicate a significant role for active Na+–K+ transport in muscle contraction and in maintenance of the tegumental membrane potential. The data also suggest that the Na+–K+ transport in S. mansoni may be electrogenic.
A model of schistosomiasis incorporating the searching capacity of the miracidium
Authors: Coutinho F. A. B. , Griffin M. , Thomas J. D.
Published: June 2009

This paper describes a modification of the model for the transmission of schistosomiasis proposed by Macdonald (1965), which allows the snail host-locating efficiency of the miracidium to be taken into account. The modified model allows for a choice of miracidia efficiency. If it is assumed that the miracidia are inefficient hunters then the resulting model is very sensitive to perturbations; relatively small changes in snail numbers not only cause appreciable changes in the percentage of snails infected but result in attainment of the threshold (the point at which schistosomiasis ceases to be endemic). If, however, the miracidia are efficient snail hunters then the model is much less sensitive to perturbations; here the percentage of snails infected is much less affected by changing snail numbers, and the threshold is much more difficult to reach by reducing snail numbers. It is argued that, on the whole, the empirical data give more support to the latter model, although there are some circumstances under which the former model might apply. However, even with these modifications it is considered that the Macdonald model does not provide a satisfactory explanation of field observations.
Hoplopleura ramgarh sp.nov. and Hoplopleura sinhgarh sp.nov. (Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae), parasitizing Mus spp. (Rodentia: Muridae) in India
Authors: Mishra A. C. , Bhat H. R. , Kulkarni S. M.
Published: June 2009

Two new species of the genus Hoplopleura are described from two closely related species of the genus Mus. H. ramgarh sp.nov. was found parasitizing Mus platythrix Bennett, 1932, in the Western Himalayan region in North India and in the Western Ghats in Peninsular India. H. sinhgarh sp.nov. was found parasitizing a species of the genus Mus, closely related to M. platythrix, and occurring sympatrically with it. The exact taxonomical status of this rodent species is still under investigation. The occurrence of two distinct species of lice on closely related sympatric populations of these mice has given an indication of their being two distinct taxa, a fact later supplemented by some consistent but not easily delineable skin and skull characters.
Endogenous stages of a ‘chick embryo-adapted’ strain ofEimeria tenella
Authors: Long P. L.
Published: June 2009

A strain ofE. tenellawhich had been passaged serially in 42 batches of chick embryos appeared to have lost its ability to produce the characteristically large second-generation schizonts in both the embryonic chorioallantois and in the chicken caeca. Numerous small schizonts (10–16 µm in diameter), which contained 8–30 small merozoites, replaced the large second-generation schizonts characteristic of this species. The small schizonts were numerous 3–5 days after inoculation and were restricted to epithelial cells of the embryo allantois when sporozoites were inoculated via the allantoic cavity. These schizonts also occurred in epithelial cells of the caeca of chickens given oocysts via the crop. Cell reactions in the chicken caeca in response to infection were minimal. Numerous minute lesions were present in the chorioallantois 4–6 days after inoculation; these were associated with the small schizonts and later with gamonts and oocysts. The strain reproduced well in the embryo but failed to induce gross pathogenic effects and no mortality resulted from the infection.

Only two passages of this strain in chickens were needed to restore a high degree of pathogenicity. This change was accompanied by the reappearance of the characteristically large second-generation schizonts in the tunica propria of the caecal wall.
The role of chicken macrophages in the parenteral excystation of Eimeria acervulina
Authors: El-Kasaby Aziza , Sykes A. H.
Published: June 2009

The behaviour of Eimeria acervulina in relation to macrophage activity in chickens was investigated by in vitro and in vivo techniques, with special consideration of the excystation of sporozoites and the fate of intact oocysts and sporocysts inoculated parenterally.
In vitro: macrophages obtained from peritoneal washings phagocytosed mechanically released sporocysts or previously excysted sporozoites after 30 minutes incubation.
In vivo: phagocytic activity of macrophages against intact oocysts and sporocysts in diffusion chambers implanted subcutaneously and intraperitoneally was observed as early as 4 h after implantation. Changes in the oocyst wall (corrugation, thinning, indentation and increased. fragility) as well as activation and excystation of sporozoites in situ was observed 24 h after implantation. Interaction in vivo between the invasive sporozoite and the phagocytic cell was recorded. Disintegration of the parasite was noticed 72 h after implantation.
Developmental cycles of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi (Chagas, 1909) in mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro
Authors: Behbehani Kazem
Published: June 2009

Mouse peritoneal macrophage cells suspended in a TC 199 calf serum medium and cultured in Leighton tubes, were infected with Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi culture forms in order to study the development of this parasite in vitro. Three cycles of development were thought to occur:
1. Epimastigotes or trypomastigotes were taken up by macrophages and transformed into amastigotes. These multiplied by binary fission and ruptured the infected cell after 4‐5 days. Released amastigotes were taken up by uninfected macrophages and the cycle was repeated.
2. A small proportion of intracellular amastigotes developed into ‘ovoid forms’ which transformed progressively into promastigotes, epimastigotes and trypomastigotes.
3. Some amastigotes became ‘round forms’ from which sphaeromastigotes developed. These transformed directly into trypomastigotes without the formation of epimastigotes.
On the reported occurrence of an ecdysone-like steroid in the freshwater snail, Biomphalaria glabrata (Pulmonata; Basommatophora), intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni
Authors: Bayne C. J.
Published: June 2009

Attempts to repeat the isolation of an ecdysone-like steroid from Biomphalaria glabrata revealed that some of the manipulations described by Muftic (1969) were physically impossible to repeat. With modified procedures no ecdysone-like steroid was found. The original publication gives scant attention to certain experimental details. Some sections of the text bear very close resemblance to earlier publications by different authors. The amount of substance claimed to have been isolated, and the long survival period claimed for Schistosoma mansoni larvae in vitro, are claims which, amongst others, seem highly unlikely a priori. All attempts to contact Muftic have proved to be futile. It is suggested that the paper is, at least in part, erroneous and that any future reference to it should clearly indicate its suspected invalidity.

Despite these results, it is considered likely that future investigations will demonstrate physiological roles for steroids in snails.

I wish to acknowledge the stimulating communications of Drs E. L. Hansen, M. Voge, R. E. Thorson, C. S. Richards, J. N. Kaplanis, G. Nace, R. Monroe, and of E. Chernin, who first brought this matter to my attention. Theanalytical steroid work could not have been done nor interpreted without the considerable time and effort willingly given by Drs F. Kohen and R. Counsell of the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. My snail populations were supplemented with snails from the tanks of Mrs B. Caveny. Technical help was given by E. Perisho, G. Lindsay and P. LoVerde. Financial support was kindly provided by Dr J. B. Burch. This investigation was supported in part by the United States-Japan Cooperative Medical Science Program administered by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, grant N.I.A.I.D. AI-7364, and in part by NSF grant GB-29315. Improvements were made to the first draft of the manuscript after it was critically read by Drs E. L. Hansen, F. Kohen, M. Voge, E. Chernin, R. E. Thorson and J. N. Kaplanis.
Growth in vitro of Parvatrema timondavidi Bartoli 1963 (Trematoda: Gymnophallidae) from the metacercarial stage to egg production
Authors: Yasuraoka Kazuo , Kaiho Masayoshi , Hata Hidekazu , Endo Takuro
Published: June 2009

Metacercariae of Parvatrema timondavidi were successfully cultivated in vitro to adults which produced eggs capable of embryonation and miracidial formation. The worms were grown in NCTC 109 supplemented with 20% inactivated bovine or chicken serum with a gas phase of 8% CO2 in air at 37 or 41°C. The use of the roller tube technique produced considerable promotion of growth in the worms. Heat inactivated bovine serum had a more salutary effect than unheated serum.
Experimental infections of the domestic fowl with a variant of Eimeria praecox from the Ceylon jungle fowl
Authors: Long P. L. , Fernando M. A. , Remmler O.
Published: June 2009

A species of Eimeria from the Ceylon jungle fowl (Gallus lafayetti), at first thought to be a new species of Eimeria, has been identified as a strain of E. praecox. Oocysts of this jungle fowl strain were slightly larger than those of E. praecox, being 23·2 × 19·9 μm, but the endogenous stages were similar. The strain reproduced poorly in the domestic fowl but oocyst production was improved by treating the chickens with beta-methasone. A single infection of chickens with the strain of jungle fowl origin protected against challenge with the original culture and E. praecox, but did not cross-protect against E. acervulina. The name E. praecox var. ceylonensis is proposed for this strain of Eimeria.

The criteria used to identify new species of Eimeria are discussed.
Immunity to intestinal tapeworms: the rejection of Hymenolepis citelli by mice
Authors: Hopkins C. A. , Stallard H. E.
Published: June 2009

Approximately 90% of Hymenolepis citelli cysticercoids given to 6-week-old male CFLP mice by stomach tube became established. Equally high recovery rates were obtained from administering 1, 3 and 6 cysticercoids.

In 1-worm infections worms increase in weight until about day 25–28 post infection. After a few days at maximum weight (mean weights of worms 24–42 mg) there is a small, 10–25%, decrease in weight, after which there is little change in weight up to day 90 (as long as studied).

One-worm infections survived without loss until day 30, after which a slow loss occurred, but only in two experiments, both with older mice, did loss exceed 50% by day 80. In 3-worm infections worms were rejected between days 17 and 30, but loss varied from 50 to 80% during this period in replicate experiments. With 6-worm infections rejection occurred over a shorter period (days 17–22), was more uniform between experiments and was more complete, over 75% of worms being lost. In both 3- and 6-worm infections a residual population, usually of only a single worm, persisted in 20–50% of the mice until the end of the experiments (day 63–78).

Cortisone prevented loss of worms from both 3- and 6-worm infections; worms continued to grow until day 25 ± 2 (as in 1-worm infections), by which time they were considerably larger than (the surviving) worms in mice not receiving cortisone. The biomass (worm burden per mouse) remained constant from day 25 to 55 in mice receiving cortisone.

The results are discussed with particular reference to: H. diminuta and the evidence that mice do mount an immunological response against tapeworms in the intestine; the existence of an antigenic threshold in mice; the apparent existence of a similar rejection pattern in a natural population of H. citelli in Peromyscus maniculatus, and hence the importance of immunity as a factor preventing gradual increase in number of tapeworms in the intestine during the life of a host.
Ribonucleic acid synthesis inPlasmodium knowlesimaintained bothin vivoandin vitro
Authors: Trigg P. I. , Shakespeare P. G. , Burt Susan J. , Kyd Sally I.
Published: June 2009

RNA extracted from purified parasites ofPlasmodium knowlesiwas fractionated using agarose gel electrophoresis. Preparations from parasites grown bothin vivoandin vitrocontained species of RNA with sedimentation coefficients of 4·0S, 5·0S, 16·6S, 24·2S, 31·4S, 38·0S and 48·3S. There was less RNA present in parasites grownin vitrothan the equivalent stage parasites grownin vivobut the proportional amounts of the various species of RNA was similar in both cases. It is suggested that the 24·2S and 16·6S species of RNA are ribosomal and that the high molecular weight 31·4S, 38·0S and 48·0S species are ribosomal precursors. Ribosomal RNA synthesis occurs throughout the cell cycle during growth from the ring to the schizont stage; maximum incorporation of [H3]-adenosine occurs at the late trophozoite stage before nuclear division.
Interference with Fasciola hepatica snail finding by various aquatic organisms
Authors: Christensen Niels Ørnbjerg , Nansen Peter , Frandsen Flemming
Published: June 2009

Previous studies using radioactive miracidia have shown that a number of non-host snails and bivalves, interposed as ‘decoys’ in linear test channels, may interfere with the capacity of Fasciola hepatica miracidia to infect Lymnaea truncatula. Applying similar experimental principles, the role of several other potential interferents have been analysed in the present study. Daphnia pulex (Cladocera) and larvae of Corethra sp. (Diptera) exercised significant interfering effects by protecting ‘target’ snails from infection. Evidence suggested that this effect was a result of their normal predatory behaviour. Other organisms including Herpobdella testacea and Helobdella stagnalis (Hirudinea), Acellus aquaticus (Isopoda), Planaria lugubris (Turbellaria) and L. Truncatula egg clusters failed to interfere with miracidial host-finding. Nor did P. lugubris and L. truncatula ‘conditioned water’ interfere with the capacity of the miracidia to infect their host snail.
The ultrastructure of penetrating stages of Babesia major infecting the ovary of Haemaphysalis punctata
Authors: Morzaria S. P. , Bland Patricia , Brocklesby D. W.
Published: June 2009

The ultrastructure of penetrating stages of Babesia major merozoites responsible for causing trans–ovarian infection of the tick Haemaphysalis punctala was studied. These merozoites were different from forms of other Babesia species previously described in the tick in that they were highly pleomorphic. Most of the organelles found in these forms were similar to those found in other stages: however, the apical complex was found to be very active. Micronemes were found to the apical complex was found to be very active. Micronemes were found to be predominant in the cytoplasm of these merozoites and a cytoplasmic projection anterior to the polar ring and bounded by concentric rings was visible. A polar ring with radiating ribs, and microtubules was present. It is thought that the apical complex of these merozoites plays an important role in assisting the parasite to infect the ovary of the tick.
The cell coat ofCrithidia fasciculata
Authors: Brooker B. E.
Published: June 2009

A prominent filamentous and granular cell coat is associated with the plasma membraneof haptomonads ofCrithidia fasciculataattached to the cuticular lining of the hindgut ofAnopheles gambiae. This surface material is completely absent from morphologically identical haptomonads from the mosquito foregut and from rosettes in culture. On the basis of these observations, it is suggested that cell coat formation is dependent on suitable environmental conditions. A cytochemical staining technique indicates the presence of carbohydrates in (a) the cell coat, (b) the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane of haptomonads from all locations and (c) small cytoplasmic vesicles and multivesicular bodies in all haptomonads. It is suggested that these cytoplasmic organelles represent stages in the intracellular pathway for material ingested by pinocytosis rather than elements involved in surface coat formation.
The growth of secondary infections ofHymenolepis microstomain mice: the effect of various primary infection regimes
Authors: Howard R. J.
Published: June 2009

Groups of mice were infected with 1,5 or 10 cysticercoids ofHymenolepis microstoma. Infections were terminated with the anthelmintic ‘Zanil’ after 5, 15 or 30 days and the mice challenged with 6 cysticercoids. The growth of the worms in the secondary infections decreased as either the intensity (number of cysticercoids administered) or duration of the primary infections increased. It is postulated that the results have an immunological basis.
Cellular immune reactions of larvae of Drosophila algonquin
Authors: Nappi A. J.
Published: June 2009

The haemocytic reactions of larvae of Drosophila algonquin leading to encapsulation and melanization of eggs of the hymenopterous parasite Pseudeucoila bochei are characterized in part by the premature mass differentiation of plasmatocytes to lamellocytes. Normally this transformation of blood cells occurs at the time of pupation. The data suggest the haemocytes are stimulated to differentiate by chemotactic means. In susceptible host larvae the parasite appears activately to inhibit the immune reactions by blocking cellular differentiation.
Echinococcus granulosus equinus: an ultrastructural study of the laminated layer, including changes on incubating cysts in various media
Authors: Richards K. Sylvia , Arme C. , Bridges Janine F.
Published: June 2009

The microfibrillate component of the laminated layer of Echinococcus granulosus equinus contains, except for the zone adjacent to the germinal layer, aggregates of electron-dense bodies displaying a sub-structure of electron-lucent spheres. The tegumentary syncytial cytoplasm contains randomly distributed electron-dense granules, many occurring near the apical plasmalemma, although exocytosis was rarely seen. Granules, similar in size and sub-structure to the bodies of the aggregates, also occur in the internuncial connexions and tegumentary cytons, suggesting that they may be produced in the cytons and released into the laminated layer via the internuncial connexions and tegumentary cytoplasm. Cysts incubated for 0·5–2·5 h in serum- and non-serum-containing media showed differences from non-incubated cysts. The distal half of the syncytium contained a progressive increase in the number of granules (distal:proximal 1·9:1 at 2·5 h; cf. 1:1 in non-incubated cysts), and exocytosis of granules into the laminated layer adjacent to the cyst had occurred. This cannot be attributed wholly to serum proteins. Cysts incubated for 21 h appeared ‘normal’, suggesting re-establishment of an equilibrium. Since the matrix of the laminated layer is considered homologous to the glycocalyx of other cestodes, the possible protective role played by the granules/bodies, characteristic of Echinococcus spp., is discussed.
The inheritance of responses to schistosomiasis mansoni in two pairs of inbred strains of mice
Authors: Jones Janet T. , Kusel J. R.
Published: June 2009

Genetic differences in mice influence both the pathological and immunological responses to schistosomiasis mansoni. We have investigated the nature of the genetic factors influencing these responses by crossing two different pairs of strains of mice which vary in their response to infection, and measuring responses in the F1hybrid and backcross offspring. The two pairs of parental strains differed with respect to faecal egg excretion, accumulation of eggs in the tissues, splenomegaly and pattern of antibody response. The numbers of adult worms which establish do not differ between strains. The inheritance of the responses measured was different in the two pairs of strains. The F1hybrid from the C57BL/6/Ol/a /c cross resembled the low-responding parental strain (CBA/Ca) with respect to faecal egg excretion, accumulation of eggs in the tissues and splenomegaly, and was intermediate in its pattern of antibody response. The F1hybrid mice from the NIH /Ca cross resembled the high-responding strain (CBA/Ca) with respect to faecal egg excretion, accumulation of eggs in the tissues and splenomegaly, and had an earlier and greater antibody response than either parental strain. No evidence of single gene influence on any of these responses was seen in the backcross offspring. The differing patterns of inheritance and the absence of a bimodal distribution of responses in the backcross offspring indicate that each of these responses is influenced by multiple genes. The pattern of antibody response did not correlate between strains with any of the pathological res The positive correlation of egg accumulation in the tissues and faecal egg excretion suggests that there are genetic influences on the fecundity of the worms.