bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biology of Monanema globulosa, a rodent filaria with skin-dwelling microfilariae
Authors: Bianco A. E. , Muller R. , Nelson G. S.
Published: June 2009

Monanema globulosa (Nematoda: Filarioidea) was recovered from four species of rodents in Kenya, with a prevalence of up to 94% in the striped mouse, Lemniscomys striatus. The adult worms are site-specific to the pulmonary arteries and release sheathed microfilariae that travel via the blood to the skin. Densities of microfilariea in the ears (mf/mg) were five to eight times greater than in any other region of the body and were directly proportional to the number of adult worms present. Highest concentrations of microfilariae in the skin were reached after 100 to 200 days and low numbers persisted in most animals for approximately 500 days.

Third-stage larvae from ticks (Haemaphysalis leachii) injected subcutaneously into jirds migrated widely through the body during early development. Moults occurred twice, after 5 to 10 days and 25 days, and the mean prepatent period was 75 (range 69 to 88) days. A mild eosinophilia developed which peaked after 29 days. Adults in the lungs provoked widespread and intense perivascular cuffing and more localized hypertrophy and fibrosis of the intima in arterioles. Dead adults caused granulomata which obliterated smaller vessels. Microfilariae in the skin elicited no local tissue reaction, but some which invaded the eyes caused a monocyte infiltration of the cornea. It is concluded that the parasite is well adapted to its natural hosts and that it has potential as a rodent model for human onchocerciasis because of the localization of microfilariae in the skin.
Brugia pahangiin nude mice: protective immunity to infective larvae is Thy 1·2+cell dependent and cyclosporin A resistant
Authors: Vickery Ann C. , Nayar Jai K.
Published: June 2009

Mechanisms of protective immunity to larvae ofBrugia pahangiwere studied in congenitally athymic nude C3H/HeN mice and their syngeneic heterozygous littermates. An average 11% if subcutaneous larval inocula was recovered from control nudes 28 days after inoculation. No worms were recovered from nude recipients of viable splenic Thy 1·2+T lymphocytes from heterozygotes which had killed a priming does ofB. pahangilarvae. Primed T lymphocytes, depleted of either Lyt 1·1+of Lyt 2·1+cells or incubated with anti-Thy 1.2 monoclonal antibody and complement, failed to protect nude mic against a larval challenge. Nor were primed B lymphocytes depleted by Thy 1·2+T cell contaminants protective. Treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA) did not increase the numbers of worms recovered from heterozygotes nor did CsA treatment of heterozygous cell donor abolish the ability of primed Thy 1·2+T lymphocytes to transfer protection to nude mice. IgG but not IgM antibody titres toB. pahangiantigens were depressed in all CsA-treated mice. CsA treatment of nude mice had no direct effect upon development ofB. pahagilarvae. These results show that ptotective immunity to larvae ofB. pahangiin mice depends upon small numbers of Thy 1·2+T cells which are CsA-resistant.
Comparative study of assays detecting circulating immune complexes and specific antibodies in patients infected with Toxocara canis
Authors: Aguila C. , Cuéllar C. , Fenoy S. , Guillén J. L.
Published: June 2009

A sandwich ELISA method using previously described E/S antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies has been developed to detect circulating immune complexes in patients infected with Toxocara canis. This technique could be used for the study of the dynamics of the parasite-host relationship, as we believe the detection of immune complexes and/or soluble antigen to be an improvement over detection of antibodies only. In this parasitosis, antibodies may be present in residual levels for prolonged periods after active infection.
Superoxide dismutase activity in nematodes
Authors: Sanchez-Moreno M. , Leon P. , Garcia-Ruiz M. A. , Monteoliva M.
Published: June 2009

The activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (E.C.:1.15.1.1) and catalase (E.C: 1.11.1.6) were studied in purified extracts of four nematodes:Ascaris suum, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara canisandT. catiadult males and females. No catalase activity was found in any of the extracts. The results reveal that the SOD activities of the four parasites presented species differences and also sexual differences within each species. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern analysis confirmed that the mobilities, widths and band intensities varied according to the species and sex of the parasite from which the enzyme was obtained.
Chemoprophylactic studies with ivermectin against subperiodic Brugia malayi infection in the leaf monkey, Presbytis cristata
Authors: Mak J. W. , Lam P. L. W. , Noor Rain A. , Suresh K.
Published: June 2009

Four Presbytis cristata were treated with oral ivermectin at the same time as the subcutaneous inoculation of 100 infective larvae monthly for three months. Two animals given 0·2 mg/kg monthly and two others given 0·3 mg/kg monthly as well as three control animals became patent for microfilaraemia. However, only 1% of the infective dose was recovered as adult worms from animals in the higher drug dosage group compared to 8·2% and 6·2% in the lower dosage and control groups respectively.
A comparative study of the protein content of some helminths and the suitability of assay methods
Authors: Abidi S. M. A. , Nizami W. A.
Published: June 2009

The protein content of fresh homogenates and their corresponding TCA precipitated fractions of 10 different species of helminths was estimated by the methods of Lowryet al.and Spector using the Folin phenol reagent and Coomassie brilliant blue G-250 respectively. The former method gives exaggerated values as compared to the latter method. The parasite phenols, phenolic proteins and catecholamines could be responsible for interference in the Lowry's procedure. The TCA non-precipitable moieties also give colour only with the Folin phenol assay. The pronounced intra-specific differences in the total protein content of helminths reflect their metabolic variations and adaptations. Habitat does not appear to influence the protein content of parasites, however, the effect of host variation was evident in the pouched amphistomeG. crumenifer. It is concluded that the dye binding method gives more consistent results and it can be conveniently applied to crude tissue homogenates of helminths.
Studies on the chemical nature of the cyst wall ofMicrophallus madrasensis
Authors: Ramasamy P. , Panicker S. Lekha
Published: June 2009

The cyst wall ofMicrophallus madrasensisresisted 6 N and 11·3 N hydrochloric acids (HCL) 36 N concentrated sulphuric acid (H2S04) and 0·35 M sodium hypochlorite. It was partially dissolved in 0·6 M sodium azide and completely dissolved in 16 N nitric acid (HNO3). An HCl hydrolysate of the cyst wall contained 10 amino acids viz. alanine, leucine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, histidine. phenylalanine. tyrosine. cystine and proline. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of a fast moving fraction which stained with periodic acid-Schiffs (PAS) reagent and toluidine blue was noticed in tris-glycine buffer soluble and methanol water soluble substances present in the cyst wall. Triton X-100 soluble substances present in the cyst wall revealed the presence of two slow-moving fractions stained only with PAS, and also a fast-moving fraction stained only with toluidine blue. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) soluble substances in the cyst wall revealed the presence of two fast-moving fractions which stained with PAS and toluidine blue. The slow-moving fractions are protein-bound carbohydrates. The fast-moving fractions obtained after fractionation with SDS are acid mucopolysaccharides or nucleoproteins whereas the single fraction (Triton X-100 soluble substances) which stained with toluidine blue appears to be a carbohydrate-free protein. The cyst wall ofM. madrasensisalso consisted of phospholipids and neutral lipids.
Some enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism inMesocestoides cortiandHeterakis spumosa
Authors: Dubinský P. , Rušcinová B. , Hetmanski S. L. , Arme C. , Turčeková L. , Ryboš M.
Published: June 2009

The activities of selected enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism were measured in tetrathyridia ofMesocestoides cortiand in adult females and males ofHeterakis spumosa. When the species were compared, only lactate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolphyruvate carboxykinase activities were considerably higher inM. corti. Activities of other enzymes were higher inH. spumosa, with malate dehydrogenase activity being considerable so. InH. spumosa, enzyme activity was higher, and succinate dehydrogenase markedly so in males, when compared with females. Tetrathyridia aged 170 and 210 days show relatively stable malate and lactate dehydrogenase activities, and mice of ICR and BALB/c strains are suitable for the maintenance of tetrathyridia.
In vitro stress selection of nematophagous fungi for biocontrol of parasitic nematodes in ruminants
Authors: Larsen M. , Wolstrup J. , Henriksen S. A. , Dackman C. , Grønvold J. , Nansen P.
Published: June 2009

Laboratory experiments were designed to select nematophagous fungi that were able to survive in vitro conditions simulating passage through the gastro-intestinal tract of cattle. All of the tests were conducted at 39°C. In a primary stress selection step in diluted rumen fluid, 21 isolates were obtained. Each of the primary stress selected isolates was tested in synthetic saliva, rumen fluid simulating the activity in the rumen, rumen fluid followed by pepsin-hydrochloric acid treatment simulating the additional effect of ruminal and abomasal activity, pepsin-hydrochloric acid solution simulating conditions in the abomasum and finally in a trypsin solution as an example of enzyme activity in the gut. The effect of the rumen fluid alone, or rumen fluid followed by pepsin-hydrochloric acid treatment, were responsible for the reduction in surviving fungal isolates. Only six of thirteen isolates belonging to the genus Arthrobotrys survived while seven of eight isolates of the genus Duddingtonia survived. Fourteen isolates were tested for their predatory capacity in a dung pat bioassay. Fungi of the genera Arthrobotrys and Duddingtonia reduced the development of Ostertagia ostertagi third stage larvae by approximately 75% and 96% respectively compared to the number of larvae that developed from fungus-free control pats.
Chromosome numbers in Onchocerca dukei and O. tarsicola
Authors: Post R. J. , Bain O. , Kläger S.
Published: June 2009

Testicular examination of male Onchocerca dukei and German O. tarsicola revealed five pairs of chromosomes, which is typical of most filariae. In contrast to German O. tarsicola, specimens from Sweden had only three pairs of chromosomes.
Karyological studies of Isthmiophora melis (Schrank, 1788) from its type locality
Authors: Mutafova T. , Kanev I. , Eizenhut U.
Published: June 2009

The karyotype of Isthmiophora melis (Trematoda:Echinostomatidae) is described. The chromosome number in the diploid cell is 2n = 20. The absolute (La) and relative (Lr) lengths of the chromosomes, as well as the centromere position (Ic), are determined. The differences in length between the adjacent chromosomes in the ordered series are not great, with the exception of chromosome 1 which occupies 20.58% of the genome length. This chromosome is metacentric, with lightly stained and elongated centromere region with Giemsa staining. Chromosome 7 is submetacentric. Chromosomes 2 to 6 are defined as telo-subtelocentric, while chromosomes 8 to 10 are subtelo-submetacentric. The fundamental number of arms in the I. melis karyotype is NF-22.
A survey on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of dogs in the area of Thessaloniki, Greece
Authors: Haralabidis S. T. , Papazachariadou M. G. , Koutinas A. F. , Rallis T. S.
Published: June 2009

Faecal specimens randomly taken from 232 healthy dogs living in the area of Thessaloniki were screened for internal parasites. In 39·2% of the examined dogs excretion of Sarcocystis bovicanis (1·3%), Isospora ohioensis/burrowsi (3·9%), Giardia lamblia (0·8%), Hammondia heydorni (0·4%), Dicrocoelium dendriticum (0·8%) Diplopylidium nolleri (0·4%), Joyeuxiella pasqualei (0·8%), taeniids (0·4%), Toxocara canis (22·4%), Toxascaris leonina (1·3%), Uncinaria stenocephala (3·0%), Trichuris vulpis (2·6%), Spirocerca lupi (0·4%), or Linguatula serrata (0·4%) was detected. The overall rate of infection did not show any significant difference concerning sex or age. T. canis, however, was significantly more often found in the youngest age group (1–3 months).
Persistence of Gnathostoma hispidum in chronically infected rats
Authors: Koga M. , Ishii Y.
Published: June 2009

Gnathostomiasis by Gnathostoma hispidum has occurred mainly in southern and western areas of Japan since 1980. In all cases, patients had eaten live loaches, freshwater fish imported from southeast Asia. Chief symptoms were creeping linear skin eruptions and eosinophilia, both of which disappeared in most patients within three months after the onset, and never recurred thereafter. In order to study how gnathostome larvae may survive and behave in humans, rats were infected with gnathostome larvae. Loaches were purchased in city markets in Fukuoka. Gnathostome larvae (G. hispidum) were recovered from the fish and fed to rats. They were killed at intervals of one and six months and one, two and three years postinoculation. Encysted larvae were found in the muscles of all rats and recovered larvae were all viable. A migrating larva was observed in muscle tissue from one rat that was killed three years postinoculation. In histological sections, walls around encysted larva were much thinner in a rat killed three years postinoculation than in a rat killed one month postinoculation.
Dispersion and abundance of Maritrema arenaria in Semibalanus balanoides in north-east Ireland
Authors: Carrol H. , Montgomery W. I. , Hanna R. E. B.
Published: June 2009

Infection of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides with the digenean trematode Maritrema arenaria was investigated at 17 sites along the Co. Down coastline. There was a low background level of infection. Abundance of M. arenaria, however, was substantially greater at sites close to fish factories and at a site close to a sewage works. Aggregation of M. arenaria in S. balanoides was least marked at low mean parasite burdens. The parasitic burden was related more closely to barnacle size at a site of heavy infection than at one with a low abundance. There was a significant association between height on the shore and number of encysted metacercariae in S. balanoides. This was independent of variation in host size. It is concluded that relationships that bring about overdispersion of digeneans, such as that between the size-structure of the host population and parasite infection, may be dependent on the overall abundance of the parasite.
Antagonistic effects of Schistosoma mansoni on superimposed Hymenolepis diminuta and H. microstoma infections in mice
Authors: Andreassen J. , Odaibo A. B. , Christensen N. Ø.
Published: June 2009

Patent, but not prepatent, Schistosoma mansoni infections in mice enhanced the expulsion of a superimposed infection with Hymenolepis diminuta. An antagonistic effect was also directed against a superimposed H. microstoma infection in mice harbouring patent S. mansoni infections.
The rate of development and longevity of the monogenean skin parasite Entobdella soleae
Authors: Kearn G. C.
Published: June 2009

Using soles (Solea solea) infected experimentally with oncomiracidia of the monogenean skin parasite Entobdella soleae, it was found that the parasite begins to assemble eggs at about 85 days post infection and may survive for as long as 6½12 months at 12± 1°C. Growth of the anterior hamuli continues throughout life but the growth rate decreases with time. The oldest (largest) parasites recovered from laboratory soles were similar in size to the largest parasites collected in the wild.
Effect of the organophosphorous insecticide, chlorpyrifos (Dursban), on growth, fecundity and mortality ofBiomphalaria alexandrinaand on the production ofSchistosoma mansonicercariae in the snail
Authors: Ibrahim W. L. F. , Furu P. , Ibrahim A. M. , Christensen N. Ø.
Published: June 2009

Exposure ofBiomphalaria alexandrinato sublethal concentrations (0·125, 0·25 and 0·05 ppm) of the organophosporous insecticide, chlorpyrifos (Dursban), induced a reduction in egg production and egg hatchability. Exposure ofSchistosoma mansonimiracidia to the insecticide (60 min, 0·05 ppm) prior to infection ofB. alexandrinadid not affect the subsequent production of cercariae. However, exposure ofS. mansoni—infected snails to the insecticide until day 55, from day 20 to day 62 and from day 35 to 62 following infection resulted in blockage of cercarial shedding. cercarial shedding commenced in some snails when the treatement stopped. Exposure to the insecticide in concentrations of 0·125 and 0·25 ppm during the first 20 days following infection did not affect the subsequent production of cercariae, but exposure to 0·5 ppm during the first 20 days affected markedly the production of cercariae due to a high snail mortality. The findings indicate that the cercaria is the target stage for the activity of chlorpyrifos on the intramolluscan larval development. It is suggested thatS. mansonicercarial production inB. alexandrinamay he a useful system for monitoring the effect of low concentrations of pesticides on the aquatic environment, and that the ability by chemical means to interrupt the cercarial production might be a useful tool in further analyses of important aspects of the snail/parasite relationship.
Seasonal patterns in the transmission of Schistosoma haematobium in Attaouia, Morocco
Authors: Khallaayoune K. , Laamrani H.
Published: June 2009

In the Attaouia area, the density of Bulinus truncatus (Audouin, 1827), was monitored monthly for a period of one year in correlation with weather variations. Snails were active throughout the year and particularly abundant at the end of spring and summer. Two snail generations were found to overlap. The infection rate of B. truncatus reached a maximum of 3·5% in the summer when human water contact was frequent. A selective survey conducted in the village of Lamyayha showed that the prevalence of infection with S. haematobium among the local population was 21·2% who were passing from 10 to 80 eggs per 10 ml of urine.
Growth, development and allometry of Philophthalmus nocturnus in the eyes of domestic chicks
Authors: Swarnakumari V. G. M. , Madhavi R.
Published: June 2009

Fifty day-old chicks were each infected with 10 excysted metaccreariae of Philophthalimus nocturnus Looss. 1907 around each orbit and growth, development and allometry were studied. The growth rate showed two phases over a period of 35 days, a limited lag phase lasting two days post-infection in which flukes did not exceed 440 μm in length, and a rapid phase during which growth was rapid and flukes reached a size of 3·008–3·504 mm on day 35. Five developmental stages were noticed during the course of development of the metacercaria to the egg-producing adult stage. Eggs appeared in the uterus on day 14 and oculate miracidia on day 25. The hindhody, testes and ovary showed positive allometric growth, the pharnyx less so, whereas negative allometric growth was shown by the forebody. Body width, oral sucker and ventral sucker were close to isometry, growing at the same rate as the body length.
Differential establishment and survival ofHymenolepis diminutain syngeneic and outbred rat strains
Authors: Ishih A. , Nishimura M. , Sano M.
Published: June 2009

ExperimentalHymenolepis diminutainfection was carried out in inbred strains of rats (F344/N. JAR-2. LOU/M, TM, DA and DA-bg/bg) and outbred Wistar rats. All strains became infected with this cestode, but clear strain-dependent variation in the susceptibility toH. diminutainfection was observed. Marked differences in worm persistence and worm weight were found at 6 weeks post-infection in TM and DA rats. These strains would be useful to clarify the interactions betweenH. diminutaand its rat host.
Histopathology of the small intestinal mucosa in Nematodirus spathiger infection in rabbits
Authors: Hoste H. , Mallet S. , Fort G.
Published: June 2009

Rabbits were experimentally infected with two levels (5000 and 17000) infective larvae of Nematodirus spathiger. Histological (villus length, mucosa to serosa ratio, crypt surface) and biochemical (protein content, alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase activities) measurements relating to the small intestinal mucosa were examined along the entire length of the organ. In the proximal intestine, the presence of worms was associated with villus abrasion, increased crypt surface and decreased alkaline phosphatase and leucine aminopeptidase activities. Conversely, beyond the main Site of infection in the distal small intestine, some signs of hypertrophied villi and crypts were noted without any changes in enzyme activities. These distal variations were similar to those previously described in experimental Trichostrongylus colubriformis infections of rabbits. These results tend to confirm the use of the rabbit as an experimental model to study Nematodirus infection. They also suggest that the distal adaptive process in the nematode-parasitized small intestine could occur independently of the worm species.
Changing chemosusceptibility in the second-stage larvae of Toxocara canis by long-term incubation
Authors: Akao Nobuaki , Goto Yoshihisa , Kondo Kaoru , Tsuda Yoshisuke
Published: June 2009

Second-stage larvae of Toxocara canis were maintained in vitro for one year. Susceptibility of the larvae to drugs was evaluated by means of minimal larvicidal concentration (MLC) and larval bursting percentage. MLCs of citral and decanoic acid were almost constant throughout all stages of incubation. However, bursting percentage markedly varied within the first 20 weeks of incubation. Therefore, while larvae are available for use in the MLC assay at any stage of incubation, those beyond the first 20 weeks after incubation should be used for the bursting assay to obtain reproducible results.
Effects of luxabendazole on the tegument of Fasciola hepatica
Authors: Stoitsova S.R. , Gorchilova L.N.
Published: June 2009

The effects in vivo of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg of luxabendazole (LBZ) on the tegument of Fasciola hepatica have been examined 48 h, 7 days and 14 days post-treatment of experimentally-infected rats. As early as 48 h post-treatment, the drug is shown to provoke significant damage to the tegument. The pathological phenomena characterizing LBZ damage are blebbing of the apical plasmalemma, formation of microvillus-like projections over the free surface, swelling of the basal infolds and stimulation of autophagy. The spines are often fractured; the tegument in the vicinity of spines seems more strongly altered than that in other foci. The basal layer is often changed, from increase of electron density to lack of integrity with the apical cytoplasm. The progress of the ultrastructural damage with time is not expressed. However, cytochemical data show that at longer post-treatment intervals the surface-coat structure becomes irregular and patches of ruthenium red positive material of variable thickness are focally accumulated. Only a slight dose-effect is noted 48 h after LBZ application when the alterations provoked by 5 mg/kg are less evident than those by 10 and 20 mg/kg.
Antibody responses in the wild vole, Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae, naturally infected with Echinococcus multilocularis by Western blotting
Authors: Ito A. , Nakao M. , Ito M. , Matsuzaki T. , Kamiya M. , Kutsumi H.
Published: June 2009

Antibody responses against crude antigens and the two (Em18 and Em16) epitopes of Echinococcus mulfilocularis were analysed by Western blotting using sera from the wild vole, Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae (Crb), which were captured in Hokkaido, Japan and found to have been naturally infected with eggs, and compared with those in patients of AHD and mice experimentally infected with protoscoleces of this parasite. Antibody responses in the wild vole were demonstrated most clearly with anti-Crb-IgG antiserum but more faintly with anti-rat-IgG antiserum and poorly with anti-mouse-IgG or anti-human-IgG antisera or Protein G. Although only two serum samples of the wild vole found naturally infected were analysed, antibody responses against Em18 and Em16 in these voles appeared to be similar to those in AHD patients but differed from those in mice.
Experimental infection with Taenia saginata (Poland strain) in Taiwanese pigs
Authors: Fan P. C. , Chung W. C. , Lin C. Y. , Pawlowski Z. S.
Published: June 2009

Two 22-day-old Landrace-Small Ear Miniature (L–SEM) pigs, five 45 to 66-day-old Small Ear Miniature (SEM) pigs, and one 16-day-old Holstein calf were each fed 1000, 3000 or 10000 Taenia saginata (Poland strain) eggs respectively and killed 34–77 days after inoculation. Four of the five SEM pigs and the Holstein calf were susceptible to this parasite. However, two L–SEM pigs and one SEM pig remained negative. The cysticerci recovery rates for the SEM pig and Holstein calf were 36% and 3%. respectively. All cysticerci from the SEM pigs were found in the livers, more in the parenchyma (89%) than on the surface (11%). Only eleven cysticerci in two SEM pigs were mature and the remainder were either immature, degenerated or calcified. The cysticerci in the calf were distributed throughout the body: leg muscles (248), heart (27), tongue (17), intercostal muscles (14), diaphragm (5), kidney (I) and liver (1). Most (299) of the cysticerci were mature, one was immature and 13 were degenerated or calcified. The length, width, diameter of the protoscolex and sucker of the cysticerci from the calf were larger than those from the SEM pigs. However, the diameter of the rostellum of the latter was slightly larger than the former. Hooklets were not found on any mature cysticercus recovered. The results of the present study provide evidence that the SEM pig can he used as an experimental intermediate host for T. saginata.
Experimental infections with Nematodirus spathiger in rabbits
Authors: Hoste H. , Fort G.
Published: June 2009

The feasibility of infecting laboratory rabbits experimentally with the ovine nematode Nematodirus spathiger was examined. Eight-week-old rabbits were dosed either with 5000 or with 17 000 third-stage larvae and killed on days 10, 21 or 42 post-infection. With the lower dose, 20 to 40% of the inoculum were recovered at necropsy. Similar values were recovered at necropsy. Similar values were observed with the 17 000 dose on days 10 and 21 post-infection, but on day 42 the worm population was residual (0·6%). With both dose levels, during the course of infection, the worm populations were mainly composed of fourth-stage larvae and worm egg excretion was low. N. spathiger mainly inhabited the proximal jejunum. The results were compared with N. spathiger infection in sheep to assess the usefulness of the rabbit as an experimental model for Nematodirus infection.
The effect of catecholamines and catecholamine antagonists on the third larval moult of Dirofilaria immitis in vitro
Authors: Warbrick E. V. , Ward S. A.
Published: June 2009

Various catecholamines and catecholamine antagonists have been examined for their effects on the third larval moult of the parasitic nematode, Dirofilaria immitis, cultured in vitro. The non-selective α and β agonist, noradrenaline, and the β agonist, isoprenaline, had no effect on the timing of the third stage moult when used at a concentration of 10−5M. The α-adrenergic antagonist. phentolamine, resulted in worm mortality at 10−5M. At 10−7M, both phentolamine and the β-antagonist, propranolol caused a significant reduction in the numbers of larvae capable of completing the third stage moult. Idazoxan, an a2-antagonist, at 10−5M did not affect worm mortality but did completely prevent ecdysis. The potential of these compounds as possible filaricides is discussed.
Efficacy of ivermectin against Parastrongylus malaysiensis infection in rats
Authors: Ambu S. , Mak J. W. , Ng C. S.
Published: June 2009

The efficacy of ivermectin on experimental infections of P. malaysiensis in rats was determined. Ivermectin was 99·4% and 97·9% effective at a dosage of 400 mcg and 800 mcg respectively at seven days post-infection. The same two dosages of ivermectin when given at 14 days post infection had an efficacy of 100%. However, as an adulticide it had only 40·7% efficacy. Ivermectin may therefore be useful for the treatment of parastrongyliasis due to the larval stages of the worm which can cause significant pathology in man and animals.
Parasites of wild houbara bustards in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Jones A. , Bailey T.A. , Nothelfer H.B. , Gibbons L.M. , Samour J.H. , Bowardi M. Al , Osborne P.
Published: June 2009

Seven free-living houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueeni) wild-caught in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were examined for helminth parasites. Of five birds investigated post mortem, one was free of gastrointestinal helminths. Two other birds expelled worms following clinical examination and anthelmintic treatment. This is the first report of the parasites of free-living, as opposed to captive, houbara bustards in the UAE. In infested wild birds, fewer species of helminths were recovered than had been found in captive birds and those species present had also been found in captive houbaras. Despite heavy worm burdens, the infested birds were in good condition. Two species of cestodes (Otiditaenia conoideis, Hispaniolepis falsata), two of acanthocephalans (Centrorhynchus lancea, Mediorhynchus taeniatus) and two of nematodes (Hartertia rotundata, Allodapa sp.) were recovered. Histopathological examination of tissue samples from the intestine of three birds revealed no significant pathological changes attributable to the presence of parasites but only localized responses at the sites of parasite attachment.
The effect of dexamethasone on resistance of older lambs to infection with Nematodirus battus
Authors: Winter M.D. , Wright C. , Lee D.L.
Published: June 2009

Old lambs (8 months of age) infected with 50,000 L3 of Nematodirus battus had larvae developing normally in their tissues on day 4 post-infection (P.I.), but by day 8 P.I. there were only 4105 ± 1044 worms left in the alimentary tract. Some of these worms contained crystals in their intestine. Eight-month-old lambs treated with dexamethasone and infected with 50,000 L3 of N. battus contained a mean worm burden of 7878 ± 1262 on 18 days P.I. Untreated 8-month-old lambs similarly infected were virtually worm free by day 18 P.I. Peripheral eosinophilia became elevated in the untreated lambs over the course of infection and, at post-mortem, the tissue mast cell and eosinophil counts were much higher than in the dexamethasone treated group. Although the phenomenon of age resistance is thought to have a strong immunological component, there may also be other physiological factors, resulting in fewer nematodes and lower fecundity of the worms.
What makes a fish a suitable host for Monogenea in the Mediterranean?
Authors: Caro A. , Combes C. , Euzet L.
Published: June 2009

Monogenean richness of marine fish is highly variable among host families and species. On the basis of 160 fish species selected because their parasite fauna was considered as ‘adequately’ investigated, an attempt was made to find associations between parasite richness and various characters of the hosts. No clear correlation was found with maximal size, although the smallest species (less than 10cm) seem to never harbour monogeneans. Correlations were found with nectonic, migrating and gregarious behaviours. However, taxonomy of fish appears to be extremely important as a determinant of monogenean richness. In the absence of a satisfactory phylogeny of hosts, no attempt was made to control the analysis for phylogeny. However, removing some families characterized by a high parasite richness (sparids, sciaenids, mugilids) shows that the association with gregariousness holds, whereas the others tend to disappear.
Chromosomes of Acanthocephalus lucii
Authors: Mutafova T. , Nedeva I. , Kanev I.
Published: June 2009

Chromosomes of Acanthocephalus lucii (Muller, 1776) were observed using conventional staining techniques. The number of chromosomes in females and in their developing eggs (2n = 8) as well as the mean (La) and relative length (Lr) of the chromosomes and the localization of the centromere (Ic) were determined. Peculiarities in the behaviour of the chromosomes are also described.
Evaluation of an enzymatic immunohistochemical technique in human trichinellosis
Authors: Ben G.J.M. , Malmassari S.L. , Nuñez G.G. , Costantino S.N. , Venturiello S.M.
Published: June 2009

A comparative study was undertaken between an enzymatic immunohistochemical technique (EIT) developed for the diagnosis of human trichinellosis and the indirect immunofluorescence test (IIF), analysing sera from outbreaks of human trichinellosis in Argentina. The HIT was developed using a biotinylated anti-human gammaglobulin and a preformed macromolecular complex of avidin and biotinylated peroxidase. In both tests, the antigen used consisted of infected rat tissue sections containing muscle larval cysts of Trichinella spiralis. Results showed that the HIT closely correlated with IIP and also allowed diagnosis at an early stage of infection, thus helping to provide effective treatment for the disease. When the test was performed on sera from healthy individuals and those with other parasitic infections, cross-reactions were observed only with sera from patients with toxocariasis (1/8), Chagas' disease (3/17) and four out of 100 healthy individuals. No cross-reactions were observed with sera from patients with toxoplasmosis (0/7) or hydatidosis (0/8). Assay sensitivity was 100% and its specificity 93%. Since it renders no false negative results, BIT is an effective screening tool for detecting infection and should prove to be an important diagnostic technique for trichinellosis in rural areas and for epidemiological surveys.
The relative importance of bladder versus neotenic stages of Polystoma marmorati and P. umthakathi in natural frog populations in South Africa
Authors: Du Preez L.H. , Kok D.J.
Published: June 2009

Infection levels of Polystoma marmorati (Polystomatidae: Monogenea) in the painted reed frog, Hyperolius marmoratus, and P. umthakathi in the kloof frog, Natalobatrachus bonebergi, were studied under natural conditions. The recorded prevalence for P. marmorati was generally high in adult frogs and low in tadpoles. In the case of P. umthakathi, the opposite was found with a low prevalence in adult frogs and a very high prevalence in tadpoles. Based on these findings, the hypothesis is presented that for P. marmorati the neotenic stage does not play a determining role and the population is maintained by bladder parasites. For P. umthakathi the neotenic stage appears to be more important than the bladder parasite and the population can probably survive without any significant contribution from bladder parasites.
Population dynamics of and larval trematode interactions with Lymnaea tomentosa and the potential for biological control of schistosome dermatitis in Bremner Bay, Lake Wanaka, New Zealand
Authors: Davis N.E.
Published: June 2009

Lymnaea tomentosa, the intermediate host of a schistosome which causes schistosome dermatitis in Lake Wanaka, was found to depths of 16 m. The snail recruits in January, lives for up to 21 months, is associated with all water plant species and is found in areas devoid of macroscopic plants. It is host to several trematode species. Avian schistosome infections appear in the spring when echinostome prevalence is low, and a decrease in schistosome prevalence may be correlated with an increase in echinostome prevalence during the summer. A multiple-kind lottery model analysis of parasite species richness implies that interspecific interactions may be occurring in the host snail during the months of December and January.
Specific gravity of Opisthorchis viverrini eggs
Authors: Harnnoi T. , Wijit A. , Morakote N. , Pipitgool V. , Maleewong W.
Published: June 2009

The specific gravity of the eggs of the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini was determined using a sucrose gradient centrifugation and found to range from 1.2713 to 1.3043. The peak egg count was located at the sucrose fraction with a specific gravity of 1.2814. An attempt to float eggs in saturated sodium nitrate solution, sp.gr. 1.4, failed. Examination of human stool specimens for O. viverrini eggs by simple flotation in saturated sodium nitrate solution and the formol-ether sedimentation technique revealed that the flotation technique was not as efficient as the sedimentation technique. It was suggested that the flotation techniques were inappropriate for the detection of O. viverrini eggs in faeces or contaminated soil.
The Laboratory Diagnosis of Bilharziasis
Authors: Blackie W. K.
Published: June 2009

Bilharziasis is unquestionably one of the major parasitic diseases of Southern Africa where both the urinary and intestinal forms occur. When it presents in the classical form, the diagnosis either from the clinical or laboratory viewpoint is seldom a major problem; but when, as so often happens, the presenting features have little in common with the accepted text-book descriptions of the disease, diagnosis becomes a matter of considerable difficulty.
Studies on Parasites of the Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin) from South Eastern England
Authors: Oldham J. N.
Published: June 2009

The widespread distribution in Britain of the grey squirrel prompted an investigation of the parasite fauna of this rodent to find if it was capable of acting as a disseminator of parasites to other mammals or birds, particularly domesticated ones.
Favored RLE for Axenic Culture of Neoaplectana glaseri
Authors: Stoll Norman R.
Published: June 2009

Favored RLE for use in promoting growth and development of Neoaplectana glaseri in axenic cultures include those made from the livers of rabbits sacrificed late in pregnancy or early postpartum, and used after subsequent refrigerated storage periods of 15–90 days.
A Study of the Gastrodiscinae Monticelli, 1892 (Gastrodiscidae: Paramphistomoidea)
Authors: Willmott Shiela , Pester F. R. N.
Published: June 2009

All three genera of the Gastrodiscinae, namely, Gastrodiscus Leuckart, 1877, Homalogaster Poirier, 1883 and Gastrodiscoides Leiper, 1913 are shown to lack a true pars prostatica and cirrus pouch. The two last-mentioned have some part of the male ducts provided with cilia and all three possess papillae on the ventral surface; these papillae are demonstrated to have a very different structure in each of the three genera. These and the male ducts are described and the subfamily Gastrodiscinae and the genus Gastrodiscoides are redefined.

Gastrodiscoides hominis is recorded from a Rhesus monkey.
Oligapta manteri sp. nov. (Axinidae: Monogenoidea) and Pseudothoracocotyle scomberomori sp. nov. (Gastrocotylidae: Monogenoidea) from South Pacific Fishes
Authors: Young P. C.
Published: June 2009

Oligapla manteri sp. nov. is described from the gills of Hernirham phus sp. from Noumea, New Caledonia. It differs from the existing species in the genus, O. oligapta because the atrial spines are res tricted to a circle of 16, the penis is armed with 47 anteriorly directed, pear-like spines, and the sclerotization of the copulation canal is conical. Pseudothoracocotyle scomberomori sp. nov. is described from the gills of Scornberomorus commersoni from Heron Island, and Green Island, Queensland, Australia. The new species differs from the existing species in the genus, P. ovalis, because the genital pore is not sclerotized, there are two pores to the copulation canal, and the clamps are more numerous and larger.

I should like to thank Dr. H. W. Manter of the Department of Zoology, University of Nebraska who very kindly gave me the specimens of Oligapta manteri; Dr. W. W. Becklund of Beltsville Parasitological Laboratory, U.S.A. who kindly lent me cotypes of T. crocea, and Dr. J. C. Pearson of the Department of Parasitology, University of Queensland for his help during the study.
A Critical Review of Zebrowski's Preliminary Report on Hog Lung-Worms
Authors: Goodey T.
Published: June 2009

In “Veterinary Medicine” for March, 1924, Dr. M. C. Hall contributes the third instalment of his paper, “Developments in Veterinary Parasitology during the past Fifteen Years,” and on pages 190 and 191, under the heading Lungworms (Metastrongylidæ), considers work on the life histories of the lung-worms of sheep and cattle, Dictyocaulus filaria and D. viviparus, and then refers to the paper under review. His words are as follows: “The life-histories of the swine lung-worms Metastrongylus elongatus and M. brevivaginatus have been ascertained by an American worker, Zebrowski. In general it is similar to that of Dictyocaulus filaria above, but the moisture requirements of the larvæ in cultures are rather exact. Zebrowski's work, published in 1921 in the proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science, has been quite generally overlooked.”
Biometrical Observations on Shells ofLimnaeaSpecies
Authors: Peters B. G.
Published: June 2009

1. In differentiating between species of snails various ratios of shell dimensions are frequently used as biological constants descriptive of the species. Some of the ratios commonly used are: length to breadth (L/B), length to length of body-whorl (L/W), length to length of shell aperture (L/l), and length of shell aperture to its breadth (1/b). Mean and extreme values of these ratios are given for small samples of five species ofLimnaea.

2. InL. palustristhe least variable of these simple ratios is L/W and the next best is L/l. Statistics are given for the distributions of these two ratios.

3. Data collected by Mozley are used to show that inL. palustristhe ratio L/l (at least) is subject to considerable local variation, a fact which detracts from its value as a species constant.
A. Technique for Counting Trematode Eggs in Sheep Faeces
Authors: Whitlock H. V.
Published: June 2009

A technique is described for the floatation and enumeration of trematode eggs. A special sampling and mixing pipette has been designed. The floatation fluid is a solution of potassium mercuri-iodide (K2HgI4). A modified McMaster egg-count slide, or else a calibrated sliding toppiece apparatus is used for counting the eggs and estimating the number per gramme of faeces. The apparatus is illustrated and described.
Further Observations on the Seasonal Variation in Worm Egg Output in Scottish Hill Sheep
Authors: Morgan D. O. , Parnell I. W. , Rayski C.
Published: June 2009

From the study of the worm egg output of nearly fifteen hundred sheep on many hill farms in Scotland it has been shown that:-

(i) Worm egg output in ewes and gimmers is lowest in early winter and highest in spring and early summer; this is followed by a marked decrease towards the winter months.

(ii) Generally in ewe hoggs the worm egg output is the same as that in older sheep, but shows greater variability; on occasion the spring peak may be absent.

(iii) The level of worm egg output of hoggs is generally higher than that of older sheep, and in this respect gimmers tend to fall between hoggs and ewes.

(iv) Weather conditions may have an influence on the height and duration of the spring peak of worm egg production.
On Trichochenia mucronata n.sp. and a New Subfamily Trichocheniinae (Trichostrongylidae Leiper, 1912)
Authors: Singh Satya Narayan
Published: June 2009

Travassos (1937) in his monograph on Trichostrongylidae Leiper, 1912, deals with Trichostrongyles belonging to 91 genera under 13 subfamilies of which 4 are new. He places Molineus Cameron, 1923, along with 33 other genera in the type subfamily Trichostrongylinae Leiper, 1908. Subsequently Skrjabin and Schulz (1937) erected the subfamily Molineinae with Molineus as type.
The Incidence of Larval Trematodes in Adults ofVelacumantus australis(Quoy and Gaimard) (Gasteropoda: Potamididae)
Authors: Ewers Wm. H.
Published: June 2009

Velacumantus australisis a common mollusc along the easter and southern coast of Australia. A study of the incidence of larval trematodes in several populations ofV. australisshowed that the incidence of the various infections varied considerably with time and place. Heterophyids were usually the commonest infection, while schistosomes and echinostomes were frequently absent. In one population, seasonal changes in the incidence of philophthalmids and schistosomes were found to be positively correlated, and seasonal changes in the incidence of philophthalmids and echinostomes were found to be negatively correlated. These results are discussed.
On a New Species of Oxysomatium Railliet and Henry, 1913 and Some Notes on the GeneraOxysomatium andAplectana
Authors: Fotedar D. N.
Published: June 2009

The cuticle is smooth. The lateral alae extend from the middle of the oesophagus to the region of the spicules in the males, but in females they are extended further posterior to the middle of the tail or more. The anterior short "pharynx", the procorpus, is poorly differentiated from the remaining cylindrical portion of the oesophagus. Three sclerotized structures are present at the anterior end of the oesophagus. The posterior flaps of the valves of the bulb extend slightly into the dilated lumen of the intestine. The intestine at its commencement is broader than the bulb, and gradually narrows down towards the anus. The excretory pore is situated anterior to the usual pre-bulbar position, and is located at the beginning of the posterior third of the cylindrical oesophagus. It is surrounded by a crown of chitinous rod-like structures. The tail is sharply pointed in both sexes.
Sarconema eurycerca (Wehr, 1939) in the Mute Swan
Authors: Boughton E.
Published: June 2009

On the 17th September, 1964, a Mute Swan, Cygnus olor (Gmelin) was received for examination. It was a male bird, estimated to be about three years old, which had been found at Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, and had been killed on account of a broken wing which had healed badly. It was believed to be of wild stock.
On Pseudophysaloptera formosana formosana (Yokogawa, 1922) Lincicome, 1948 from Sorex perroteti in India
Authors: Farooqui Nasrullah , Ali S. Mehdi
Published: June 2009

A single pair of this interesting worm was once collected from a common shrew Sorex perroteti.

These are fairly thick and stout worms with creamy white colour and thick striated cuticle. The body is almost cylindrical throughout its length except at the extremities where it is slightly attenuated, more so in the posterior region which ends in a slightly bifid tip in the female. The cuticle is very much inflated not only in the posterior region surrounding the tail but the inflation continues anteriorly all along the length of the body. Near the anterior extremity the cuticle is more prominently inflated to form a bulbous collar round the base of the lips. The lips are very prominent and each possesses three fairly well developed teeth, a pair of well developed sub-median papillae and an equally prominent amphid lateral in position is also present.
Observations on the Incidence ofToxocaraandToxascarisin Dogs and Cats from the London Area
Authors: Oldham J. N.
Published: June 2009

Using an autopsy method of examination, an incidence of infection withToxocara canisin 250 dogs was 6·4% and withToxascaris leoninait was 2%. Of 100 cats examined, 8% harbouredToxocara catiand 3%Toxascaris leonina. Other British records concerning the incidence of the dog parasites are discussed and attention is drawn to certain reservations that must be placed on their acceptance.
On Euparadistomum pearsoni n.sp. (Trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae) from the Gall Bladder of the Domestic Cat in Papua
Authors: Talbot N.
Published: June 2009

A new species of the genus Euparadistomum is described from the gall bladder of the domestic cat on Gemo Island, Papua. The incidence of the parasite is extremely low in the Port Moresby area, being recorded from only 1·6% of cats examined. E. pearsoni is the second species recovered from the domestic cat. A revised key to the genus is provided.