bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Egg-laying and hatching rhythms in the monogeneanDiplozoon homoion gracilefrom the southern barbel (Barbus meridionalis)
Authors: Macdonald S. , Jones A.
Published: June 2009

Diplozoon homoion gracilefrom the southern barbel (Barbus meridionalis) displays an egg-laying and an egg hatching rhythm, the latter being more clearly defined. Egg laying continues both day and night but significantly more eggs are laid at night. The oncomiracidia hatch at dusk. If parasite eggs are eaten by the host they pass through the gut undamaged and hatch normally.
Life history of Allocreadium fasciatusi Kakaji, 1969 (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) from the freshwater fish Aplocheilus melastigma McClelland
Authors: Madhavi R.
Published: June 2009

The life history of Allocreadium fasciatusi which occurs in the intestine of a freshwater fish Aplocheilus melastigma has been worked out in detail. The snail Amnicola travancorica acts as the first intermediate host. The miracidium hatching out from the eggs attacks the snail and passes through two generations of rediae. Cercariae are of ophthalmoxiphidiocercous type with very long tail and are identical to Cercariae Indicae XLIX Sewell, 1922. The cercariae penetrate and develop into metacercariae in the haemecoel of the copepods Mesocyclops leuckarti, Microcyclops varicans and Marcocyclops distructus. Upon ingestion by the definitive host, the metacercariae excyst and develop into adults. All the stages in the life cycle are described and the life cycle is compared with other allocreadiid life cycles. The original description of A. fasciatusi is revised and Psilostomum chilkai Chatterji, 1956 from Lates calcalifer is synonymized with it.
The influence of some physico-chemical factors on the host-finding capacity of Fasciola hepatica miracidia
Authors: Christensen Niels Ørnbjerg , Nansen Peter , Frandsen Flemming
Published: June 2009

A study was made on the host-finding capacity of Fasciola hepatica miracidia in relation to time, number of miracidia per snail, and several physico-chemical environmental factors. Specimens of Lymnaea truncatula were exposed to radiolabelled miracidia and the subsequent snail-bound radioactivity was used to measure the host-finding capacity of the larvae.

Maximum snail-bound radioactivity was achieved after 45–60 minutes exposure to miracidia in a volume of 80 ml water. The efficiency of the snail-location was unaltered up to a volume of 4.5 liters. A linear proportionality was demonstrated between the number of miracidia and the amount of radioactivity obtained in exposed snails. After 4 hours exposure snails placed in darkness took up the same amount of radioactivity as snails placed in bright illumination. Additional experiments showed that miracidia preferentially scan the lighted zone of a given environment, but if no snails are available in this zone, snails in shade are also effectively located.

The host-finding capacity was unaltered up to a salinity level of 3.79%. At 4.74% and 5.68% the snail-location proceeded at a slower rate, but the final levels reached after 3 hours were comparable to that obtained at low salinity. The over-all host-finding capacity was reduced at a salinity level of 7.58% and at 9.47% the capacity had ceased. The host-finding capacity was unaltered in the pH range 5.4 to 8.4, but it was reduced at pH 8.9. Further studies showed that the host-finding capacity was clearly inhibited in water with a high turbidity level.
Phaneropsolus aspinosus sp. n. (Lecithodendriidae: Phaneropsolinae) from the leaf monkey Macaca fascicularia (Raffles)
Authors: Palmieri James R. , Krishnasamy M.
Published: June 2009

Phaneropsolus aspinosus sp. n. is described from the leaf monkey Macaca fascicularis in central Pahang, West Malaysia. Morphological characteristics are compared with both the subgenera Phaneropsolus and Primatotrema.
An appreciation of Academician K. I. Skrjabin, founder of the Soviet Helminthological School, on the occasion of the centenary of his birth
Authors: Ryzhikov K. M.
Published: June 2009

Academician K. I. Skrjabin was an outstanding Soviet scientist-helminthologist who greatly contributed to the advance of biological, veterinary and medical sciences.
A study of the relationship between the energy contents of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae and their death during penetration of mammalian host skin
Authors: Ghandour A. M. , Ibrahim A. M.
Published: June 2009

Immersion of Biomphalaria pfeifferi in 1.5% glucose solution showed that the snails did not absorb any glucose during the first six hours but that almost 30% of the glucose was absorbed after 24 hours. The glycogen content of such “glucose-fed” snails was much higher than that of control normal snails. Cercariae of S. mansoni collected from the former snails exhibited a much lower level of death (20%), during penetration of mouse skin, than that of control normal cercariae (36%).

It is suggested that death of S. mansoni cercariae during penetration of mammalian host skin is probably due to exhaustion of their energy reserves.
Intestinal mast cells during experimental ancylostomiasis
Authors: Vardhani V. , Johri G. N.
Published: June 2009

The alterations of mast cell counts induced in the gut of swiss albino mice by infection with Ancylostoma caninum larvae have been studied, both in single and multiple infections. It was found that mast cell rise was greater in females than males. In singly infected animals, mast cell increase was influenced by the infective dose of inoculated larvae. In case of repeatedly infected mice, mast cell counts were decreased because of their earlier degranulation.
Species of Cloacina Linstow, 1898 (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from the Black-tailed Wallaby, Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest, 1804) from eastern Australia
Authors: Beveridge I.
Published: June 2009

Species of Cloacina Linstow, 1898 (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) are reported and/or described from the stomach of the macropodid marsupial Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest, 1804) collected in eastern Australia. Nematodes were examined from 26 hosts collected in 3 states and the number of species of Cloacina in any one host was 2 – 7. The following species were encountered: C. wallabiae Johnston and Mawson, 1939, C. gallardi Johnston and Mawson, 1940, C. edwardsi Mawson, 1972 and C. cornuta (Davey and Wood, 1938) the last named constituting a new host record. The following new species are described: C. mawsonae sp. nov., C. papillata sp. nov., C. annulata sp. nov., C. castor sp. nov. and C. pollux sp. nov.
Phaneropsolus mulkiti sp. n.(Lecithodendriidae: Phaneropsolinae) from the sand lizard Liolepis belliana belliana Gray, 1827 from West Malaysia
Authors: Palmieri James R. , Krishnasamy M. , Sullivan John T.
Published: June 2009

Phaneropsolus mulkiti sp. n. is described from the sand lizard Liolepis belliana Gray, 1827 from Bukit China, West Malaysia. Morphologically it is separate from all reported species of the genus Phaneropsolus Looss, 1899 and is the second species reported from a poikilothermic host.
Collyricloides massanae Vaucher, 1969, in a starling (Sturnus vulgaris L.) in the Netherlands
Authors: Borgsteede F. H. M. , Smit TH.
Published: June 2009

Collyricloides massanae (Trematoda: Collyriclidae) is described from cysts in the wall of the small intestine of a starling (Sturnus vulgaris L.) in the Netherlands. The original description was from a yellow necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior), so this is the first record of this species in birds.
Necator americanusin infant rabbits: complete development, humoral antibody, leukocyte response and serum protein changes following infection
Authors: Bhopale M. K. , Menon Sushila , Kulkarni Laxmi
Published: June 2009

Necator americanus, originally isolated from man, developed completely in infant rabbits (RSG-1). This infection was serially passed in infant rabbits up to the 6th generation without using any immunosuppressant. Two day old infant rabbits demonstrated a high degree of susceptibility toN. americanus. Studies revealed the retention of worms in the intestine for more than 150 days during which egg production was high. In this experimental model the leukocyte, antibody and serum protein responses due toN. americanusinfection were monitored. Results showed that eosinophil numbers rose significantly from day 28 to 170. A maximum was observed on day 80 (41%) in rabbits of the fourth generation. Antibodies toN. americanuswere detectable in infected rabbits by counterimmunoelectrophoresis using third stage larval antigen (Rabbit strain). Generally, total globulins increased with decrease in albumin. Serum protein increase was associated with alpha-2, beta and gamma globulin components.
Taeniasis, cysticercosis and echinococcosis/hydatidosis in Nigeria: III — prevalence of bovine and porcine cysticercosis, and hydatid cyst infection based on joint examination of slaughtered food animals
Authors: Dada B. J. O.
Published: June 2009

A survey was carried out in the abattoirs in Kano (Sudan zone), Kaduna and Zaria (Northern Guinea zone) and Jos (Bauchi plateau zone) to assess the actual prevalence of bovine and porcine cysticercosis, and of hydatid cyst infections in slaughtered food animals.

Hydatid cysts were detected in all species of animals slaughtered at the abattoir in the Sudan zone where the prevalence was: camels (55.5%), cattle (14.70%), sheep (11.4%), goats (26.4%). In the Northern Guinea zone, the prevalence was: camels (50%), cattle (0%), pigs (0%), sheep (0.21%) and goats (0.79%). In the Bauchi plateau zone, sheep were found to harbour hydatid cysts, with a prevalence of 1.4%. In the various animal species, hydatid cysts were detected in the lungs, liver and spleen. Fertility rates of the hydatid cysts from various hosts were as follows: camels 94.5%, cattle 7.4%, goats 81.3%, and sheep 59.7%.

Cysticercus bovis was detected in slaughtered cattle from the three zones surveyed. Northern Guinea zone had the highest prevalence (4%), followed by Bauchi plateau zone (2.1%) and Sudan (1.9%). C. bovis was detected in the tongue, masseter muscle, heart, diaphragm and the quarters of infected cattle.

C. cellulosae was detected in 18.4% and 1.76% of slaughtered pigs examined in Northern Guinea and Bauchi plateau zones respectively. The cysts were found in the tongue, masseter muscle, heart, diaphragm, thigh and fore-limbs. No pigs were available for examination in the Sudan zone.

The data obtained in this survey are believed to be a better indication of the rate of infection in the various animal species than data obtained from previous abattoir records.
Erythrokinetic studies on baboons (Papio anubis) with acute experimental schistosomiasis mansoni
Authors: Holmes P. H. , James E. R. , Maclean J. M. , Nelson G. S. , Taylor M. G.
Published: June 2009

The erythrokinetics of three baboons were studied over a twelve week period after infection with 3 000 cercariae of S. mansoni and compared with three uninfected control animals. In addition to monitoring changes in haematological and parasitological parameters several radioisotopic techniques were used concurrently to measure alterations in red cell kinetics. In particular 51Cr-labelled red cells and 59Fe-ferric citrate were used to measure red cell production, circulating volume, survival time and routes of loss.

All the animals remained in good condition despite heavy infection and the pathophysiological changes were in general mild and transient in nature. The principle alterations were associated with patency and consisted of a modest fall in haematocrit, some inappetence and the appearance of blood-stained mucus in the faeces. Red cell survival was reduced in the infected animals and this was correlated with an increase in faecal blood loss and haemodilution. There was no evidence of haemolytic factors or depressed erythropoiesis having any aetiological role in the anaemia.

The results confirmed the complexities of schistosomal anaemia as well as the ability of primates to withstand heavy parasitic burdens for short periods with minimal pathophysiological disturbance.
Alkali denaturation of oxyhaemoglobins of some digenetic trematodes and their hosts
Authors: Haider S. Ashfaq , Siddiqi Ather H.
Published: June 2009

Oxyhaemoglobins of six digenetic trematodes,—Srivastavaia indica, Gastrothylax crumenifer, Gigantocotyle explanatum, Fasciolopsis buski, Gastrodiscoides hominis, Isoparorchis hypselobagri, and of their 3 vertebrate hosts, Bubalus, bubalis, Sus scrofa, Wallago attu, were subjected to alkali denaturation at a pH of 12·4. All oxyhaemoglobins from trematodes and their hosts differ from each other in the rate and extent of alkali denaturation which may be explained due to variations in the amino acid sequences of a particular haem protein in addition to other factors.
Immunological evidence of chemotherapeutic action of mebendazole againstAncylostoma ceylanicum(Looss, 1911) in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)
Authors: Kamath Vijayalaxmi R. , Bhopale M. K. , Bhide M. B.
Published: June 2009

The immunological responses in hamsters during treatment with mebendazole againstAncylostoma ceylanicumare studied. Indirect haemagglutination (IHA) counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA), foot pad swelling for immediate (ITH) and delayed (DTH) types of hypersensitivities were employed for measuring the responses. Serum antibody which was 1:32 before treatment increased to the maximim of 1:512 (control 1:128) on the 10th day and it declined subsequently. The CIEP test was positive for 10 days and then became negative. The PCA test was positive throughout the observation period both in the treated and untreated groups. Foot pad swelling for ITH and DTH responses were comparatively more prominent than in the untreated control up to the 20th day and then both decreased simultaneously. The immunological responses remained prominent for a longer period and decreased more slowly in the untreated control group.
Anthelmintic effects of bithionol, paromomycin sulphate, flubendazole and mebendazole on mature and immature Hymenolepis nana in mice
Authors: Maki Jun , Yanagisawa Toshio
Published: June 2009

The anthelmintic effects of anti-tapeworm drugs, bithionol, paromomycin sulphate, flubendazole and mebendazole on immature and mature Hymenolepis nana in mice were compared. Immature worms were not affected by paromomycin sulphate or flubendazole administered for 12 consecutive days (days one to 12 after infection) at lOOmg/kg/day but 48% and 100% of H. nana were eliminated from mice by bithionol and mebendazole respectively, at the same dosage regimen. Bithionol, paromomycin sulphate, flubendazole and mebendazole given at 100 mg/kg/day for five consecutive days (days 12 to 16 after infection) eliminated 32%, 29%, 36% and 100% of mature worms respectively. 10 and 20 mg of mebendazole/kg/day for five consecutive days (days 12 to 16 after infection) had little effect on mature worms whereas 50 and 100 mg/kg/day for the same period eliminated 99% and 100% of mature worms, respectively. ED50 of mebendazole in the elimination of mature H. nana was 14 or 15 mg/kg/day for five days from the reduction in dry weight or in number of worms recovered respectively. The effects of mebendazole given 2 to 4 days, 8 to 10 days or 13 to 15 days after infection at lOOmg/kg/day were compared. Very low, if any, activity of the drug given 2 to 4 days after infection was seen, whereas the drug given 8 to 10 days or 13 to 15 days after infection eliminated 84% and 86% of H. nana respectively.
Efficacy of ivermectin against Syphacia obvelata (Nematoda) in mice
Authors: Ostlind D. A. , Nartowicz M. A. , Mickle W. G.
Published: June 2009

Ivermectin was evaluated against natural and artificial pinworm (Syphacia) infections in mice. Ivermectin given in the diet for 6 days at 0·0005% was 99% effective against both immature and adult worms. A diet level of 0·0004% reduced immature and mature pinworm by 99 and 75%, respectively but 0·0001% was inactive. One oral dose of 2·0mg/kg was 100 and 97% effective against gravid females and immature worms, respectively. A dose of 1·0 mg/kg was 96 and 66% effective against the same parasitic stages. A similar effect was observed against adult male worms where 94 and 86% were removed by one oral dose of ivermectin at 2·0 and 1·0 mg/kg, respectively.
Shedding patterns of Schistosoma mansoni and Ribeiroia marini cercariae from a mixed infection of Biomphalaria glabrata
Authors: Théron André , Moné Hélène
Published: June 2009

When the snail Biomphalaria glabrata is doubly infected by two species of trematode. Schistosoma mansoni and Ribeiroia marini, each species keeps its own cercarial shedding pattern. Emergence of S. mansoni cercariae occurs during the photophase while the R. marini cercariae are shed during the night. These results demonstrate the absence of interference between the machanisms responsible for the cercarial shedding of each species. The only difference noted concerns a two-hour shift in the peak emergence of S. mansoni as a consequence of the antagonism between the two parasites.
In vitro effect of ivermectin on Pseudoterranova decipiens survival
Authors: Manley K. M. , Embil J. A.
Published: June 2009

Third larval stages (L3) removed from fish fillets, fourth larval stages (L4) raised in in vitro culture, and adults of Pseudoterranova decipiens, collected from grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) stomachs, were exposed to the broad spectrum anthelmintic, ivermectin. L3 and L4 parasites were exposed, in vitro, to 500, 100, 50, 20, 5 and 1 μg/ml concentrations of the drug, in culture media. Adult P. decipiens were exposed in vitro to a concentration of 500 μg/ml ivermectin, only. Controls consisted of parasites placed in culture media alone or culture media plus drug vehicle. These three developmental stages of P. decipiens were all found to be susceptible to the effects of ivermectin.
The function of the paraoesophageal glands in an echinostome (digenean) cercaria (? Cercaria spinifera La Valette, 1855)
Authors: Cleveland G. , Kearn G. C.
Published: June 2009

An echinostome cercaria (? Cercaria spinifera La Valette, 1855) with 37 collar spines and paraoesophageal glands has been recorded for the first time in Britain from the gastropod Planorbarius corneus. The cercariae penetrate into and encyst in planarians. Observations made on cercariae during penetration indicate that the paraoesophageal glands are used to enter the body of the planarian and that the so-called penetration glands have some other function. Gastropod molluscs may also serve as second intermediate hosts, but there is evidence to indicate that anatomically similar cercariae from different host individuals vary in their second intermediate host preferences.
Studies on host specificity in Paragonimus westermani: I. Ultrastructural characterization of metacercariae and juvenile and adult worms from abnormal and definitive hosts
Authors: Fujino Takahiro , Fukuda Koichi , Hamajima Fusanori , Ishii Yoichi
Published: June 2009

Comparative ultrastructural studies have been made of newly excysted metacercariae and worms recovered from abnormal (rats) and normal definitive hosts (dogs). Worms from rats survived for prolonged periods without any growth or development in muscles of the host. They appeared to resemble metacercariae in general features, although ultrastructural observations revealed differences in the composition of tegumental granules and the development of the excretory bladder and caeca. Worms from dogs showed well-developed morphology in association with active energy metabolism and biosynthesis.
Dissociation of the protective immune response in the mouse to Strongyloides ratti
Authors: Grove David I. , Northern Carolyn
Published: June 2009

The generation of protective immunity by various stages in the life-cycle of Strongyloides ratti and the phases against which resistance is directed has been examined in murine strongyloidiasis. Mice were exposed to natural, complete infections, were treated with thiabendazole (which largely resembles the natural infection), were treated with cambendazole (which restricts infection to the larval stage), or infected directly by oral transfer of adult worms. Mice that were infected with infective larvae alone did not become resistant to infective larvae or the complete infection but were resistant to adult worms implanted directly into the gut. Mice exposed to adult worms alone were resistant to natural infections and adults worms implanted directly but were not resistant to infective larvae. On the other hand, mice that had received prior natural infections showed evidence of resistance to infective larvae, adult worms, and natural, complete infections. It is concluded that there is immunological cross-reactivity between infective larvae and adult worms but that under certain circumstances the infective larvae are able to evade the host's protective immune response.
Population distribution ofHeterakis pusillainGallus gallusL. from India
Authors: Malhotra Sandeep K.
Published: June 2009

FemaleGallus gallusL. are more susceptible toHeterakis pusillathan are male hosts. The worm burden decreased with increase in size and weight of domestic fowls. The frequency distribution ofH. pusillain the two sexes, and by host's size and weight classes was log-normal.
Cement glands in Acanthocephalus serendibensis Crusz & Mills, 1970 (Acanthocephala: Palaeacanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae)
Authors: Breckenridge W. R. , Nathanael Shirani
Published: June 2009

The cement glands of Acanthocephalus serendibensis have been studied, using some routine histological and histochemical procedures. There are six multinucleate syncytial glands which produce a granular secretion which is a protein-mucosubstance complex, the mucosubstance component being of the neutral type. The secretion granules are seen in the body of the glands as well as in the reservoirs and ducts. The granules presumably coalesce to form the so-called cement which is discharged during copulation and seals off the genital region of the female after copulation and insemination.
The involvement of eggs and soluble egg antigens in resistance to Schistosoma japonicum
Authors: Moloney N. A. , Luty A. J. F. , Hinchcliffe P. , Webbe G.
Published: June 2009

Mice presensitized with SEA and subsequently injected with S. japonicum eggs into their lungs or liver developed pathology similar to that found in infected mice and were consequently resistant to challenge (average 33% and 53%, respectively). However, soluble egg antigens were also capable of inducing low levels of resistance in mice (average 22·5%), but intact eggs alone injected into the lungs, liver or subcutance tissues were not. Thus, prior sensitization to ‘marginally’ protective soluble egg antigens is necessary for egg induced resistance.
A comparison of two procedures for labelling the surface of the hydatid disease organism, Echinococcus granulosus, with 125I
Authors: Mcmanus D. P. , Mclaren Diane J. , Clark N. W. T. , Parkhouse R. M. E.
Published: June 2009

Living, intact protoscoleces of the British horse and sheep strains of Echinococcus granulosus were subjected to surface radioiodination procedures using 125I and Iodogen and 125I-Bolton Hunter reagent. Subsequent combined electron microscopy and autoradiography revealed specific surface membrane labelling with the Iodogen procedure, but significant tegumental labelling with the Bolton-Hunter reagent. The two parasite strains yielded different profiles of electrophoretically separated labelled proteins; the Iodogen method, not surprisingly, resulted in a less complex pattern of labelled polypeptides than the Bolton and Hunter reagent.
Protostrongylus rufescens: a cytogenetic study
Authors: Cutillas C. , Guevara D. C. , Valero A. , Ariza C.
Published: June 2009

The diploid chromosome number of Protostrongylus rufescens is 2n=11 for males and 2n=12 for females. So, the sex determinism mechanism is XO/XX. The study of the genetic behaviour of this species has been made. In diakinesis stage the bivalents show typical tetrads with cross, Ø, and lineal configurations. The division of the sexual chromosome is prereductional for the first meiotic division.
Amino acid metabolism inAncylostoma ceylanicumandNippostrongylus brasiliensis
Authors: Singh Govind , Gupta Suman , Katiyar J. C. , Srivastava V. M. L
Published: June 2009

Ancylostoma ceylanicumandNippostrongylus brasiliensisdecarboxylated most of the amino acids examined, but only a few at signficant rates. The former nematode in general possessed higher activites. Striking differences between the two parasites were, however, noticed regarding the metabolism of some of the amino acids. For instance, while alanine followed by asparate produced highest amounts of14CO2in the presence ofA. ceylanicum, proline exhibited maximum decarboxlation in case ofN. brasiliensis. Tyrosine, on the other hand, did not libreate detectable CO2with either parasite. Likewise, although large number of amino acids underwent transmination with 2-oxoglutarate, only some of them elicited appreciable activity for any two parasites.
Changes in surface antigens of Hymenolepis nana during differentiation and maturation in mice
Authors: Ito A. , Onitake K.
Published: June 2009

The surface antigens of oncosphere, cysticercoid, adult scolex and adult strobila (other than scolex) of Hymenolepis nana differ critically from one another. When the oncosphere of H. nana undergoes differentiation and development into the mature tapeworm, the infected mouse first produces anti-oncosphere antibody, followed by anti-cysticercoid, anti-adult scolex and finally anti-strobila (other than scolex region) antibodies of IgG, IgM and IgA isotypes as detected by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. The parasite changed its surface antigens throughout its differentiation and maturation, and all developmental stages were recognized by the infected mouse host. However, there appeared no further changes in surface antigens during aging after maturation. The antibody responses were always delayed compared with the differentiation and maturation of the parasite.
Studies of the effect of contralateral versus ipselateral challenge of rats primed on one side with Strongyloides ratti
Authors: Wilson P. A. G.
Published: June 2009

The initial pathway of skin penetrating larvae of Strongyloides ratti inside the host is not systemic and could well involve local components of the lymphatic system. The experiments described were an attempt to detect an effect on immunity depending on whether larvae of a challenge infection were committed to a pathway through heavily primed or lightly primed lymph nodes. Female rats were immunised by subcutaneous injection into the right forearm of 1000 heat killed, or 1000 live, third stage larvae of S. ratti. Animals given living parasites were placed on a diet containing 0·1 or 0·2% thiabendazole 48h or 36h after ifection. Challenge infections of <100 larvae (‘exact’ doses) were applied on day 21 to either the right or left flank and, similarly, to controls that had received the anthelmintic but not the priming infection. Heat killed parasites elicited no response at all. Priming with live larvae stimulated a significant immunity (16% and 37% depression in 2 experiments), but there was no difference between rats whose challenge was on the same side as the priming dose and those which had the contralateral treatment. The significance of these results to theories of pathfinding in general, and to practical immunology, is discussed.
Characterization of the Opisthorchis viverrini genome
Authors: Sermswan R. , Mongkolsuk S. , Sirisinha S.
Published: June 2009

The methylations of trematode genomic DNA were analyzed using restriction enzymes and Southern blot hybridization. Restriction enzymes MspI, HpaII, HhaI were used to probe CpG methylation while MboI, Sau3A, DpnI were used for A methylation. The results revealed that Opisthorchis viverrini, Fasciola gigantica and Gigantocotyle siamensis had neither CpG nor A methylations. The presence of highly repeated DNA elements was also demonstrated in O. viverrini genomic DNA.
Recovery of adult stages and microfilaraemia after low dose inoculation of third stage larvae of Litomosoides carinii in Sigmodon hispidus
Authors: Wenk Peter , Mössinger Jürgen
Published: June 2009

Because of the negative binomial distribution of filarial third stage larvae (L3) in their vectors, under natural conditions only a few are usually transferred per bite. After an inoculation of 5 L3 per animal into eight host animals at least one developed a long lasting patency based on one reproductive female only. After an inoculation of 15 L3, three of eight animals developed long lasting patency, harbouring between two and five fertile females. The rates of adult stages recovered were 0·43 and 0·30 respectively. The parasitaemias of the six patent animals in both experimental groups increased with the number of reproductive females present (r=0·89, p=<0·005). All non-patent animals which were mf-negative in the pleural fluid and lung blood as well had a single sex or no worm load. In only one animal was there an apparently normal but non-reproductive pair of worms without any pathological alterations of the host animal. Encapsulated adult worms were found rarely, but independent of the final worm load or inoculation dose and always beside normal adults. In three of the 16 animals inoculated with 5 or 15 L3 patency passed after 10–12 weeks p.i., in two others it seemed to pass soon. After inoculation of 30, 40 or 60 L3 per animal patency passed early in about one half of 105 animals, when they were observed up to 24–36 weeks p.i. In conclusion all types of host defensive reactions are already visible after inoculation with such small doses. Nevertheless even a single inoculation of 5 L3 may give rise to a patent animal and its microfilaraemia is sufficient for transmission under natural conditions. Higher inoculation doses increase the defensive reactions which nevertheless remain unable to destroy all invasive stages.
The effectiveness of combined control measures on the prevalence of guinea worm disease in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwaorgu O. C.
Published: June 2009

The prevalence of guinea worm Dracunculus medinensis was determined in communities in Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria during the 1984–1985 guinea worm season. Thereafter combined intervention measures which included health education and community participation in pond treatment were introduced in one of the two communities. There was a decrease in disease prevalence from 88.7% to 33% in Group A (372 households) and from 88% to 53% in Group B (368 households), two years after control measures were introduced in Igbeagu community. However, in 345 households in Mpu community without control measures, any decrease was not significant (from 88·7% to 86·5%). Health Education combined with pond disinfection proved to be a much better intervention measure, contributing to the change in attitude and therefore decrease in disease prevalence, than pond disinfection alone.
Use of acetic orcein as a fast method to relax, fix, clear and stain cercariae for light microscopy
Authors: Webb S. C.
Published: June 2009

Acetic orcein stain may be dropped onto the specimen before applying a cover slip. This single reagent reveals cercarial and metacercarial structures that would otherwise be made visible only by complicated and time consuming procedures
Antibodies in the serum of golden hamsters experimentally infected with the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni
Authors: Simonsen P. E. , Estambale B. B. , Agger M.
Published: June 2009

The serum antibody response in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) infected with the intestinal trematode Echinostoma caproni was examined with ELISA, SDS-PAGE and Western blot, and IFAT techniques. All methods showed that the hamsters responded slowly but developed a clear positive humoral response to the infection. In most hamsters, an antibody response to infection could not be detected earlier than 11–13 weeks after infection with 6 or 25 metacercariae, and responses were weak when compared to previous results from mice infected with the same parasite. IFAT with positive hamster sera on live juvenile E. caproni showed only fluorescence at the posterior tip, which is a different pattern from that seen using sera from infected mice, indicating a different response to antigens on the juvenile parasites by these two hosts. The results are discussed in relation to the limited selfcure and development of resistance which is observed in golden hamsters infected with E. caproni.
Some properties of the surface of nematode larvae
Authors: Jungery Michele , Mackenzie C. D. , Ogilvie Bridget M.
Published: June 2009

The nature of complement binding to the surface to infective larvae of Trichinella spiralis and Nippostronaylus brasiliensis differs. When worms were incubated in serum from uninfected hosts, washed and incubated in fluorescent reagent the whole surface of T. spiralis fluoresced but in N. Brasiliensis fluorescence was confined to the anterior end and some internal organs. The outer structure of the cuticle of the T. spiralis larvae was shown not to contain ATP-ase, thus differing from many cell membranes.
Fasciola hepatica: development of monoclonal antibodies against somatic antigens and their characterization by ultrastructural localization of antibody binding
Authors: Hanna R. E. B. , Trudgett A. G. , Anderson A.
Published: June 2009

A series of monoclonal antibodies was prepared against tegumental and internal antigens ofFasciola hepaticaby immunizing mice with whole adult-fluke homogenates prior to harvesting the splenic lymphocytes for fusion. Preliminary screening by the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody technique indicated the occurrence of discrete groups of monoclonals differing from one another in tissue-specificity but within which IFA labelling patterns were fairly consistent. Representative hybridomas for 5 of these groups were stabilized and used to produce ascites fluid in mice. By application of an immunogold labelling technique it was possible to map the distribution of antigens for which each monoclonal antibody had affinity throughout the tissues of 4-week and 12-week flukes. Several monoclonals specifically labelled antigenic determinants on the important tegumental antigen T1. However the distribution of gold colloid labelling suggested that epitopes other than that normally exposed to the infected host were recognized; and several monoclonals specifically attached to T1 antigen in the tegument of juvenile worms only. The glycocalyx of the gut and excretory system of flukes shared T1 antigenicity with the tegument. Monoclonal antibodies were produced against an internal immunogen associated with ribosomes and heterochromatin in active protein-producing cells, and against interstitial material of adult flukes. Monoclonals against antigens in parenchymal cell cytoplasm and in mature vitelline cells were recognized but the corresponding hybridomas were not stabilized.
Comparative efficacy of flubendazole and mebendazole on encysted larvae of Trichinella spiralis (USA strain) in the diaphragm of mice and rats
Authors: Maki Jun , Yanagisawa Toshio
Published: June 2009

Comparative efficacy of mebendazole and flubendazole, a p−fluor analogue of mebendazole against the encysted larvae of Trichinella spiralis (USA strain) in the diaphragm of mice and rats were studied in order to provide a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship within the benzimidazole series. Drugs given 10–100 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days (35–37 days post-infection) or at 300 mg/kg, 35 days post infection were significantly effective in decreasing early encysted larvae in mice. No significant differences in effectiveness against the early encysted larvae could be observed between the drugs under the present experimental conditions. Mebendazole was found to be more effective that flubendazole in decreasing old encysted larvae in mice treated 70–72 days post-infection based on a comparative study of their ED50 values. When rats were given the drugs at the dose of 10 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days, mebendazole was significantly effective against both early and old encysted larvae while flubendazole was not.
Haemonchosis in sheep and goats in Sierra Leone
Authors: Asanji M. F.
Published: June 2009

The incidence of haemonchosis in sheep and goats in Sierra Leone showed a seasonal variation with a high peak in the dry season (October to January) and a low one from March to May. Mean relative densities were significantly higher in young hosts and showed two peaks, a high one from August to December and a low one from April to June while the mean relative densities of old hosts were low and exhibited an irregular seasonal pattern with no defined peaks. The peak seasons in young hosts coincided approximately with the dry and rainy seasons. Male hosts showed an overall higher but not a significant mean relative density than females but for most of the months mean relative densities of infection of female hosts were not significantly higher than those of males. The roles of climatic conditions and arrested development (hypobiosis) and self-cure and host age immunity on Haemonchus contortus worm burdens are discussed.
Oesophagostomum radiatum: inhibition of in vitro development by newborn calf serum
Authors: East I. J. , Fitzgerald C. J.
Published: June 2009

Oesophagostomum radiatum developed to fourth stage larvae after 14 days in in vitro culture. However, development was totally inhibited if the standard 50% foetal calf serum in the medium was replaced by newborn calf serum. Inhibition did not occur with serum from cattle immune to O. radiatum through natural infection or experimental vaccination irrespective of the titre of specific antibodies to O. radiatum in each serum. The inhibitory action of NCS could be abolished by heat treatment at 56°C for 1 h but not by dialysis or repeated freeze-thawing. The inhibition was not consistent with observed differences in the activity of 19 enzymes in the various sera or the absence of various thiol-containing stimulants of worm development.
Schistosoma haematobium: the effect of Astiban on the cell composition and ultrastructure of the vitelline gland and the ultrastructure of the tegument and gastrodermis
Authors: Leitch B. , Probert A. J.
Published: June 2009

Treatment of Schistosoma haematobium (Nigerian strain) in hamsters with a single dose of 40 mg/kg of Astiban caused a reduction in the number of S1, S2, and S3 vitelline cells and an increase in S4 cells. Following seven daily doses of the drug, a marked reduction in S1 cells and a complete loss of S2 and S3 cells occurred such that 95% of the cells were S4 cells, all of which were structurally abnormal. Coagulation and disintegration of the protein granules of the vitelline droplets occurred with increase in lipid droplets, swelling of the nuclear membrane and an increase in cytosegresomes. Blebbing of the tegument in both sexes occurred following a single treatment and vacuolation of the basal infolds and alterations to the mitochondria also resulted, but severe erosion of the tegument was rare even following repeated drug treatment. Damage to the gastrodermis was severe with the development of autophagic vacuoles containing whorls of myelin and sequestered portions of damaged tissue. The degree of damage increased with the number of drug treatments.
Chemoprophylactic drug trials for treatment of dracunculiasis using the Dracunculus insignis-ferret model
Authors: Eberhard Mark L. , Brandt Floy H. , Ruiz-Tiben Ernesto , Hightower Allen
Published: June 2009

Groups of ferrets inoculated with Dracunculus insignis were treated with various anthelminthic compounds to evaluate the potential use of drugs in controlling the human parasite D. medinensis. The three primary compounds tested were diethylcarbamazine (DEC), albendazole (ALBZ), and ivermectin (IVER); they were administered in dosages of 60 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 1 mg/kg, respectively. Groups of animals received treatment either once at 60 days after inoculation, once at 60 and 90 days, or for 3 days at either 60 or 90 days postinoculation. The most marked decrease occurred in the animals that received treatment once at 60 and at 90 days after inoculation. This was observed for all three drugs tested. Increased dosages, i.e., 3 days of treatment at 60 or 90 days did not result in decreased worm burdens. In no group was there a statistically significant reduction in worm burden when compared with controls. Two other compounds, metrifonate and CGP 6140, were tested in a more limited manner, but again the worm recovery rates were comparable with those in control groups. It would appear that existing drugs commonly used to treat helminthic infections are poor candidates for use in the campaign to eradicate guinea worm disease.
Molecular cloning of the cDNA encoding a 42 kDa antigenic polypeptide ofAnisakis simplexlarvae
Authors: Sugane K. , Sun S. , Matsuura T.
Published: June 2009

The gene encoding an antigenic polypeptide ofAnisakis simplexlarvae was studied using recombinant DNA techniques. cDNA synthesized from poly(A)-rich mRNA fromA. simplexlarvae was ligated into phage vector λ gtll DNA and packagedin vitro. The phages were propagated onEscherichia coliand a λ gtll expression library was constructed. A cDNA clone encoding a 42 kDa antigenic polypeptide was selected by immunoscreening of the library and identified by the epitope selection method. A clone containing cDNA for a 42 kDa protein was isolated. The gene encoding this 42 kDa antigenic polypeptide was characterized by DNA and RNA blot analysis using the cDNA as a probe. The gene was transcribed to mRNA with approximately 1400 nucleotides and translated to 42 kDa polypeptide. The antigenic β-galactosidase fusion protein synthesized by bacteria had no cross-reactivity with other parasite-infected sera.
Effects of patent Echinostoma caproni infection on the sterol composition of the digestive gland-gonad complex of Biomphalaria glabrata as determined by gas-liquid chromatography
Authors: Shetty P. H. , Fried B. , Sherma J.
Published: June 2009

Sterols in the digestive gland-gonad (DGG) complex of Biomphalaria glabrata (Gastropoda) infected with patent larval stages of Echinostoma caproni (Trematoda) versus uninfected control snails were studied by gas-liquid chromatography. The major sterol present in both populations was cholesterol, 59% in the infected snails and 51% in the controls. Infected snails contained the same phytosterols as the controls—desmosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol–but the percent composition was reduced. The reduction was significant for both campesterol and stigmasterol.
Isozymic pattern of lactate dehydrogenase in cases of bancroftian filariasis
Authors: Misra S. , Mahopatra T. M. , Rathaur S.
Published: June 2009

Isozymic patterns of lactate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.1.1.27) by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) were observed m various categories of filariasis and controls, i.e. asymptomatic microfilaraemia and symptomatic amicrofilaraemia, endemic normal and non-endemic normal. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was also observed amongst the above categories of patients. An increase in enzyme activity and change in the isozymic pattern was observed in the above categories of filaria infected serum. LDH activity doubled in asymptomatic microfilaraemia whereas in symptomatic amicrofilaraemia the increase in LDH activity was thirtyfold. The isozymic pattern of microfilaraemia cases showed the presence of three bands B4, A1B3, A2 B2, which are quite thick as compared to normal healthy subjects, whereas the patients with symptomatic amicrofilaraemia showed marked elevation of serum LDH-4 or A3B1. The LDH was partially purified by combined treatment of (NH4)2SO4 fractionation and gel filtration. The isozymic pattern of purified LDH showed a similar pattern.
Induction of protective immunity toBrugia pahangiin jirds by drug-abbreviated infection
Authors: Horii Y. , Nakanishi H. , Mori A. , Ueda M. , Kurokawa K. , Zaitsu M. , Oda T. , Fujita K.
Published: June 2009

Protective immunity of homologous challenge infection was examined in jirds after drug-abbreviated infection withBrugia pahangi. Mebendazole (MBZ) treatment at the early prepatent (5–7 weeks of post infection) or the late prepatent (7–9 weeks of post infection) period was highly effective in causing almost complete eradication of the primary infection. After challenge infection, the worm burden was significantly reduced 19% (31·1 in average) and 77% (9·5) to that of the controls (38·8 and 41·7), respectively. The magnitude of eosinophil response paralleled the degree of protection. No or only a few microfilariae were seen after challenge infection in jirds treated during the prepatent periods. They were also resistant to intravenous challenge with the microfilariae ofB. pahangi. MBZ treatment at the patent period was, on the contrary, incomplete against primarily infected adult worms, and was not able to induce either significant protection (30·1 vs 33·1 in control) or eosinophil response to the challenge infection.
Studies on cryopreservation of third-stage larvae of Parastrongylus cantonensis
Authors: Chao David , Wang Lian-Chen , Chen Eng-Rin
Published: June 2009

Attempts have been made to increase the survival rate of third-stage larvae of Parastrongylus cantonensis during cryopreservation. Parasites were obtained from experimentally infected snails, Biomphalaria glabrata. The maximum non-toxic concentrations of cryoprotectants dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and glycerol were determined as 10% v/v in NCTC 109 medium. Different pre-cooling times and serum additives were assayed to determine their effects on the viability of larvae. Larvae pre-cooled at –20°C for 15–20 minutes before transfer to –70°C had the optimum survival rate. The presence of serum was essential for further cooling to –196°C. There were no differences between native and heat-inactivated sera on the larval viability. The survival of larvae recovered after storage at –196°C was higher in sera collected from the rat, man, or fetal calf than in sera collected from the mouse, dog, or horse. Viability assessed by mouse-infections showed that thawed larvae retained infectivity for susceptible hosts, but it was significantly lower than that of unfrozen control worms.
Effect of irradiation on the viability of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and A. costaricensis infective larvae
Authors: Ooi H. K. , Ishii K. , Inohara J. , Kamiya M.
Published: June 2009

Infective larvae (third-stage larvae) of both Angiostrongylus cantonensis and A. costaricensis from their snail intermediate host were subjected to either X-ray or gamma-ray irradiation. The viability of the irradiated larvae was assayed by oral inoculation of the larvae into rodents (A. cantoflensis in mice and rats, A. costaricensis in mice only). From the results of worm recovery, the minimal dose of irradiation that inhibited the infectivity of the third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis and A. costaricensis was 2 and 4 kGy, respectively.
Some observations on hydatidosis in Jordan
Authors: Abo-Shehada M. N.
Published: June 2009

A total of 2.8% (5 of 176) sera from schoolchildren and university students were seropositive for hydatidosis (Echinococcus granulosus) by the ELISA IgEtest. The prevalence of seropositivity was 4·5% among females of all age groups (5–24 years) and among males of the age group 18–24 years. Males of the age group (5–17 years) were seronegative. The ratio of seropositivity between schoolboys and schoolgirl was 1:4. Sera collected from 1085 university students, aged 18–24 years, and from 1656 outpatients from northern and central Jordan, and the Jordan River valley, when tested by the IHA test, revealed the presence of antihydatid agglutinating antibodies in 5·16% (56 of 1085) and in 3·6% (60 of 1656) respectively, with a male to female infection ratio of 1:3 in the unviersity students and 1:1·1 in the outpatients. Intensity, prevalence and cyst fertility of E.granulosus increased increased in sheep with age. The results of this study indicate that hydatidosis is in an endemic steady state in Jordan with estimated economic losses if JD 3·0 (=US $ 4·4) per infected sheep.