bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attrition and temporal distribution of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium schistosomula in laboratory mice
Authors: Georgi J. R. , Wade S. E. , Dean D. A.
Published: June 2009

The total number and distribution of schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium in all tissues and organs of mice from infection to 14–27 days was determined by compressed tissue autoradiography. Attrition of schistosomula, manifested as a decrease in the number of autoradiographic foci, was observed in organs other than the liver. Attrition commenced about 2 days after cercariae entered the skin, and conformed to a single exponential function with a rate constant (± standard error) of 7·0±0·5%/day for S. mansoni and 3·2±0·7%/day for S. haematobium. The temporal distribution of schistosomula of S. mansoni and S. haematobium differed quantitatively. In the case of S. mansoni, concomittant with a decrease in skin counts, the lung curve rose rapidly to a peak centred on day 6 and thereafter decreased more or less parallel to the total body curve. Significant accumulation in the liver was not observed until day 7, whereupon liver counts rose steadily to a plateau that extended from about day 14 to the end of the experiment and approximated the number of adult worms recovered from the hepatic portal vessels on day 42. A maximum of 26% and mean of 12% of all foci in the body were counted on autoradiograms of tissues other than the skin, lung and liver. The pelt averaged 14% of the body weight yet schistosomula were detected only in the area initially exposed to cercariae. The eviscerated carcass averaged 54% of the body weight yet contained only 0·8% −3·4 % of the schistosomula during the period of accumulation in the liver. Between day 6 and day 14, the ratio of schistosomula in the pulmonary circulation to schistosomula in the systemic circulation did not remain constant, as would be the case if schistosomula circulated passively and randomly, but instead displayed a statistically significant decrease from 0·92 and 0·85. For these reasons, it was considered unlikely that schistosomula had circulated randomly and repeatedly through the pulmonary and systemic circulations and entered the hepatic portal system by chance, as hypothesized by Miller & Wilson (1980). Instead it was considered more probable that schistosomula migrating from lungs to liver had followed a directed path through intervening vessels (Kruger, Heitman, van Wyk & McCully, 1969) or tissues (Wilks, 1967). Schistosoma haematobium distribution patterns differed from those of S. mansoni in slower movement of schistosomula from skin, their peak accumulation in lungs at about day 8 followed by a low rate of decrease, and a very low liver plateau which approximated the number of adult worms recovered from the hepatic portal vessels on day 42.
Studies on the behaviour, and development in fish, ofSubtriquetra subtriquetra: a uniquely free-living pentastomid larva from a crocodilian
Authors: Winch Judith M. , Riley J.
Published: June 2009

The primary larva of the porocephalid pentastomidSubtriquetra subtriquetra, which infects the nasopharynx ofCaiman sclerops, is uniquely free-living. Eggs hatch within the nasal passages and the emergent larvae can remain infective to the fish intermediate host for 4–5 days. During this period larvae exhibit very stereotyped behaviour, alternating between a characteristic stationary ‘fishing’ posture and very brief periods of movement. Larval activity increases significantly at 3 days, probably effecting dispersal to a more favourable site for host invasion. Host location is passive and invading larvae penetrate to the swim-bladder where subsequent larval development, which involves 7 moults, occurs. All 8 larval stages are freely mobile in the swim-bladder and possess hooks. Sensilla, disposed in characteristic patterns, are present throughout development, increasing in number to the infective stage; the majority of sensilla are located on sensory papillae.
The seasonal occurrance of Trilocularia acanthiaevulgaris (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea) from spiny dogfish in the Irish Sea
Authors: McCullough J. S. , Fairweather I. , Montgomery W. I.
Published: June 2009

Trilocularia acanthiaevulgaris occurs in the stomach and spiral valve of the spiny dogfish. Statistical analyses show that the stomach and spiral valve worms of male fish and the stomach worms of female fish exhibit seasonal trends in prevalence and mean worm burden, with peaks occurring in May, June and July of each year. Spiral valve worms of female fish do not show this trend. Calculation of the product-moment correlation coefficient shows that the peak in the number of stomach worms occurs approximately 1 month before that of spiral valve worms in male fish. Strobilization of the adult spiral valve worms and development of the resulting free proglottides is also seasonal, and takes place in June/July in both sexes. Seasonal trends in prevalence, mean worm burden and maturation of T. acanthiaevulgaris may be related to water temperature, and the cyclical changes in levels of reproductive hormones and thyroid activity associated with migration and mating of spiny dogfish. It is suggested that the availability of infected intermediate hosts and diet of the dogfish may also be important in explaining the seasonality of infection.
Epidemiology of Heligmosomoides polygyrus in mice: experiments on natural transmission
Authors: Slater A. F. G. , Keymer A. E.
Published: June 2009

An experimental system is described for the study of the community dynamics of helminth–host populations, using Heligmosomoides polygyrus in the laboratory mouse. The results of a preliminary experiment using closed populations of 50 mice revealed that coexistence of host and parasite occurs for at least 4 months in the absence of immigration, with the generation of epidemiological patterns similar to those observed in the real world. In well-nourished mice the prevalence and intensity of infection initially increased with time and then declined, probably as a result of acquired immunity. The prevalence and intensity of infection increased less rapidly among hosts fed on a low protein diet, but continued to rise over the entire duration of the experiment. This continued rise is interpreted as evidence of a negative effect of protein malnutrition on host immunocompetence. The frequency distributions of parasite numbers/host were over-dispersed in each mouse population. No density dependence in parasite fecundity was detected. Aspiculuris tetraptera was also found to be present in the mouse populations. This parasite was not transmitted between mice fed on a high protein diet, but rose to a prevalence of 80 % in protein malnourished animals. No association between the intensity of A. tetraptera and H. polygyrus could be detected in individual hosts. The results are discussed in terms of the future potential of the system for the investigation of the role of acquired immunity (and its genetic control) in the generation of epidemiological patterns.
In vitroproliferative response to living schistosomula by T lymphocytes from mice infected withSchistosoma mansoni
Authors: James S. L.
Published: June 2009

The development of T cell reactivity toward schistosomula during murineSchistosoma mansoniinfection has been studied using an adaptation of thein vitrolymphocyte proliferation assay in which the response is elicited by exposure to living schistosomula. The reactivity measured in this system was shown to be a T lymphocyte function and to require the presence of adherent cells. This assay may therefore provide a new method for analysis of basic interactions between host cells and schistosomula. Lymph node cell responses were observed in two phases, the first of which appeared during the second week after infection, reflecting the immunogenicity of schistosome larval forms. A later, more pronounced response appeared during the chronic stage of infection, where sensitization appeared to be stimulated primarily by ongoing exposure to adult worms, rather than eggs. Lung-stage and skin-stage larvae elicited a similar degree of thymidine uptake by cells from chronically infected mice. Intact skin-stage larvae and particulate fractions provoked greater proliferation than soluble larval constituents, indicating that the lymphocyte response is directed in large part toward determinants which remain associated with the schistosomula during culture. However, the presence of major histocompatibility complex products on the membrane of lung-stage schistosomula did not influence the presentation of larval antigens to sensitized lymphocytes. The implications of these findings in immunity to schistosomiasis are discussed.
Epidemiology of East Coast fever: some effects of temperature on the development of Theileria parva in the tick vector, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus
Authors: Young A. S. , Leitch B. L.
Published: June 2009

The moulting behaviour of nymphal Rhipicephalus appendiculatus from the laboratory colony and 3 field strains from Kenya was greatly influenced by constant temperatures between 18 and 37 °C but was not significantly different for the 4 tick strains. Six batches of R. appendiculatus (Muguga laboratory) nymphs which had engorged on cattle parasitaemic with 4 stocks of Theileria parva (Kiambu 4, Kiambu 5, Muguga and Mbita 4) isolated in Kenya were incubated at constant temperatures between 18 and 37 °C during their pre-moult and post-moult periods. The Theileria infections in the salivary glands of the resultant adult ticks were assessed by staining with Feulgen's stain. Two stocks (Muguga and Kiambu 5) developed their highest infections in ticks incubated at 28 °C while the other two (Kiambu 4 and Mbita 4) developed their highest infections at 23 °C. Constant temperatures of 18, 33 and 37 ° C were detrimental to the development of salivary gland infections. Temperature influenced the rate of development and numbers of the earlier Theileria stages in the ticks. Engorged nymphal ticks incubated for 4 days at 37 °C during their pre-moult period developed lower infections than ticks exposed at 4 °C for 4 days.
The energy metabolism of adultHaemonchus contortus, in vitro
Authors: Ward P. F. V. , Huskisson N. S.
Published: June 2009

A comparison was made of the major excretory products when adultHaemonchus contortusworms were incubated with D-[U-14C]glucose under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Catabolites measured were propan-1-ol, acetate,n-propionate and CO2and the only major difference was that nearly twice as much CO2both in terms of quantity and radioactivity was excreted under aerobic than anaerobic conditions. The worms were also much more physically active under aerobic conditions. When worms were incubated under aerobic conditions with increasing amounts of fluoroacetate their CO2production was progressively reduced to the anaerobic level. Their movement and their ability to clump together was also progressively reduced. After aerobic incubation with fluoroacetate and D-[U-14C]g1ucose the quantity and radioactivity of citrate within worms increased greatly. When worms were similarly incubated anaerobically no increase in citrate occurred, no radioactivity was associated with the citrate and the worms appeared physically unaffected. When worms were incubated aerobically with fluoro[1-14C]acetate they produced radioactive fluorocitrate.
The identification of soluble adult antigen on the tegumental surface of juvenile Fasciola hepatica
Authors: Bennett C. E.
Published: June 2009

An antiserum was raised in rabbits against a soluble extract of fresh homogenized adult Fasciola hepatica of rat origin and was then absorbed with rat and mouse tissue antigens. This antiserum reacted specifically with the surface coat of adult flukes, of both rat and mouse origin, by indirect immunofluorescence to show the detail of surface spines. When tested against juvenile stages recovered from mice the reaction was positive with all but the earliest hepatic parenchyma stages. No reaction was present on the tegumental surface of newly excysted juveniles or stages 1 or 2 days post-infection (p.i.) whether recovered from the peritoneal cavity or the hepatic parenchyma.
Development of infectivity in Hyalomma detritum (Schulze, 1919) ticks infected with Theileria annulata (Dchunkowsky and Luhs, 1904)
Authors: Samish M. , Pipano E.
Published: June 2009

The time-course for the development of infectivity was studied in Hyalomma detritum ticks fed as pre-imagoes on calves infected with Theileria annulata. Unfed adults derived from infected nymphs were non- infectious when inoculated into susceptible calves, whereas ticks of both sexes that had fed for 2–3 days or longer on calves or rabbits were always infectious. Some adults fed for only 1–2 days were infectious, whereas others were not. As few as 2 ticks were capable of infecting susceptible calves.
Observations on the morphology and electrophoretic variation of enzymes of the rodent malaria parasites of Cameroon, Plasmodium yoelii, P. chabaudi and P. vinckei
Authors: Lainson F. A.
Published: June 2009

Six samples of rodent blood infected with malaria parasites were isolated from Cameroon. Of these, 2 contained mixed infections of Plasmodium vinckei and P. yoelii, 3 contained P. vinckei alone and 1 P. chabaudi alone. Each isolate was cloned and the resulting lines examined for morphology of blood and mosquito forms, and for electrophoretic variation in enzymes. The P. chabaudi and P. yoelii lines were morphologically and enzymically identical to isolates of the Central African Republic. Similarly, 1 P. vinckei line was identical to an isolate of the Central African Republic. The remaining 4 P. vinckei lines showed considerable variation, some enzymes being like those in isolates of surrounding regions, while others were unique to Cameroon.
Gorgoderina vitelliloba: an ultrastructural study on the development of the tegument from the metacercaria to the adult fluke
Authors: Hoole D. , Mitchell J. B.
Published: June 2009

The tegument of the metacercaria of Gorgoderina vitelliloba contains S1, S2, S3 and S4 secretory bodies. Between the parenchymal cells 2 types of tegumental cyton occur. Type 1 contains S1 and S3 secretory bodies, whilst S2 and S4 bodies are limited to Type 2. Type 1 cytons and S1 secretory bodies disappear at excystment. Post-metacercariae contain a third type of tegumental cyton in which a new secretory body, S5, occurs. This cyton type disintegrates 1–5 days after infection. The maintenance and development of the outer anucleate layer after this period is the responsibility of Type 2 cytons. Type 2 cytons and S2 and S4 secretory bodies have also been found within the cercarial body. When juvenile flukes migrate from the kidney to the bladder of their frog definitive host 21 days after infection, the outer anucleate layer increases in electron density. Within the bladder, however, the tegument of the adult fluke appears normal. The distribution of mitochondria within the outer anucleate layer changes during the fluke's migration. The mitochondria, which have a random distribution in the metacercaria, are located adjacent to the outer and basal plasmalemmas in the early kidney stages. In late kidney stages and bladder stages mitochondria occur only against the former membrane. The mitochondria increase in size in the adult fluke.
Ultrastructural observations on thein vitrointeraction of rat neutrophils with schistosomula ofSchistosoma mansoniin the presence of antibody and/or complement
Authors: Incani R. N. , McLaren Diane J.
Published: June 2009

Rat peritoneal neutrophils adhere to schistosomula ofSchistosoma mansoni in vitroin the presence of antibody, complement, or both. Ultrastructural studies have demonstrated that cell adherence is not intimate, and that electron-dense secretions are not liberated onto the parasite surface in the manner described for eosinophils. Cytochemical techniques confirm that peroxidase is confined within intracellularly located neutrophil secretion granules. The metabolic burst is shown to operate during Fc-mediated interactions, but since morphological damage depends upon the presence of complement in the system, toxic oxygen products would seem not to be involved in the initiation of surface perturbation. Complement-dependent, neutrophil-mediated schistosomular damage is characterized by vesiculation of the tegumental outer membrane, an increase in density of the tegumental cytoplasm and the eventual development of focal lesions. The cells migrate laterally to push aside damaged surface tissues and then adhere intimately to the exposed musculature. Damage appears earlier when both antibody and complement are present in the system, and this correlates with higher killing efficiency. The frequently observed association of contaminant eosinophils with areas of parasite damage indicates that eosinophils and neutrophils may cooperate to effect schistosomular killing. In the presence of antibody alone, attached neutrophils exhibit intense phagocytic activity towards the antigen-antibody complex formed at the parasite surface. This phenomenon may account for the eventual detachment of cells and lack of significant parasite damage recorded in this system
Further investigation of the pathogenicity, immunogenicity and stability of precocious Eimeria acervulina
Authors: McDonald V. , Ballingall S.
Published: June 2009

Attenuated lines of Eimeria acervulina were isolated between 62 and 72 h post-infection from the Houghton (H) strain. The inoculation of small numbers of oocysts of precocious (HP) lines gave substantial protection to Light Sussex chicks kept on litter against challenge with the virulent H strain. The precocious trait of the 72 h HP line was shown to be stable because the kinetics of oocyst production remained unaltered after 9 consecutive passages through birds in which only late developing oocysts were used for passage. The precocious 62 h HP line was subjected to further selection for 5 consecutive passages. The resultant (62 A HP) line was shown to be more attenuated than the 72 h HP line but remained capable of immunizing chicks against challenge with the H strain.
The use of plasma etching to reveal the internal structure of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nematoda)
Authors: Lee D. L. , Nicholls C. D.
Published: June 2009

Plasma etching has been used to strip away the cortical layers of the cuticle of adult Nippostrongylus brasiliensis to reveal the struts, with their supporting fibres, which are found in the fluid-filled middle layer of the cuticle, and the basal fibre layers. The etched specimens were studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. The results support earlier work, obtained by transmission electron microscopy, on the cuticle of this nematode. Plasma etching has been shown to have potential in studying the structure of nematodes.
Scanning electron microscopy of biopsy specimens removed by a colonoscope from the abomasum of sheep infected with Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Nicholls C. D. , Lee D. L. , Sharpe M. J.
Published: June 2009

The abomasum of living sheep infected with 50000 larvae of Haemonchus contortus was examined before and during infection, by means of fibre optic endoscopy. Biopsy specimens were removed from the abomasum of the living sheep and were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. Changes were noted in the surface structure of the abomasum 2 days after infection and larvae were seen on, and burrowing into, the mucosa. These changes became more pronounced as the infection proceeded, especially after day 10 of the infection when the adult worms had appeared. The behaviour of adult nematodes was observed within the abomasum and on occasions they were seen to move from surrounding areas into an area of haemorrhage, caused by removal of a biopsy specimen. Individual nematodes were removed from the abomasum by means of the biopsy forceps. Fibre optic endoscopy was shown to be a useful tool in the study of parasitic nematodes in vivo.
Cumulative effects of host resistance on Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann (Acarina: Ixodidae) in the laboratory
Authors: Chiera J. W. , Newson R. M. , Cunningham M. P.
Published: June 2009

The effect of host resistance on the feeding and development of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, the African brown ear tick, was investigated. In this 3-host species the percentages of larvae and nymphs engorging on resistant cattle, and also of those subsequently moulting, were significantly less than those of ticks feeding on susceptible rabbits (i.e. without previous tick-feeding experience). The mean weights of engorged larvae, nymphs and females were significantly reduced on resistant hosts. Fewer nymphs and females engorged, even when fed on susceptible hosts, if their previous feed had been on a resistant host, and the engorged weight was also less. If only one feed during the life-cycle was on a resistant host the final egg production was reduced by a factor of 13· 2· and l· for the larval, nymphal and adult feed respectively. The egg production of a tick population with all 3 stages feeding only on resistant hosts could be reduced by more than 98% if these effects were combined.
Lysosomes and tegument pathology in the chemotherapy of schistosomiasis with 1,7 -bis(p-aminophenoxy)heptane(153C51)
Authors: Watts S. D. M. , Orpin A. , MacCormick C.
Published: June 2009

One therapeutic oral dose (400 mg/kg) of 153C51 administered to infested mice caused pathological changes in the dorsal region of the tegument of maleSchistosoma mansoniduring the period 3–24 h after treatment. These changes occurred prior to the ‘hepatic shift’. At the ultrastructural level they consisted of a gradual accumulation in the tegument epidermis of numerous membranous inclusions with the characteristics of residual lysosomes and changes in the localization of acid phosphatase, a lysosomal enzyme. It seemed likely that these changes were due to inhibition or exhaustion of enzyme in the epidermis, followed by re-synthesis of enzyme in the cell bodies and its export to the epidermis. The elimination of hydrolytic activity from lysosomes in the epidermis would explain the accumulation of residual lysosomes. Drug- treated parasites retained their disguise of host red blood cell ghost antigens as shown by indirect fluorescent antibody-labelling and, therefore, it seemed unlikely that immunological factors could be important in producing the tegument pathology.
Cross-immunity to Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium in the hamster
Authors: Smith M. A. , Clegg J. A. , Webbe G.
Published: June 2009

Hamsters (WO strain) with a primary infection of Schistosoma mansoni or S. haematobium rapidly developed immunity to homologous challenge judged by the lung recovery assay. Immunity was detected at 4–5 weeks and reached a plateau 6 weeks after infection.

Using this information, hamsters with an 8-week primary infection with S. mansoni or S. haematobium were tested for resistance to homologous reinfection and resistance to a challenge with the other species of schistosome. Primary infection with S. mansoni or S. haematobium conferred a high level of immunity to reinfection with either species of schistosome judged by the perfusion assay, involving recovery of adult worms 6–10 weeks following challenge. Estimation of the level of immunity with the lung recovery assay, 5 days after challenge, indicated that immunity due to a primary infection with S.mansoni acted at or before migration of the challenge through the lungs but immunity stimulated by a primary S. haematobium infection was only partially effective at the lung stage and substantial destruction of challenging organisms occurred at a later stage of development.

Antibodies in immune sera of hamsters with a primary S. mansoni or S. haematobium infection were shown to bind to common antigens on the surface of young schistosomula of either species by u.v. microscopy using as detecting agent a fluorescein-labelled rabbit antiserum directed against hamster globulins.
Molecular structure and morphology of glycogen isolated from the cestode,Moniezia expansa
Authors: Orpin C. G. , Huskisson N. S. , Ward P. F. V.
Published: June 2009

A particulate polysaccharide was isolated by differential centrifugation and alkali extraction from homogenates of the cestodeMoniezia expansa. The polysaccharide had the structure of a glycogen. Its chemical properties, infra-red spectrum and optical rotation showed that it consisted of α-1, 4- and α-1, 6-linked glucopyranose units. Examination of the complex with iodine and the precipitate with concanavalin-A showed that the structure was highly branched. Oxidation with periodate and hydrolysis with α- and β-amylase were used to measure mean chain lengths. For the particulate preparation the average chain length was 12·9 glucose units and the exterior and interior chain lengths were 9·0 and 2·9 units respectively. The particulate preparation had a very high sedimentation constant (s20, w= 910) with a smaller component at abouts20, w= 600, but the alkali extracted material had ans20, w= 61 similar to that shown by alkali degradation of the particulate preparation. The morphology of the particulate material was similar to that of rat liver glycoge, α, β- and possible γ-particles being identified by electron microscopy. The α-particles were relatively stable under acidic conditions remaining intact down to pH 2·5. At pH 1·7 the α-particles dissociated into their constituent β-particles with a consequent decrease in the opalescence of the solution. The nitrogen content of 0·9% was high for a glycogen.
Factors affecting the acquisition of resistance against Schistosoma mansoni in the mouse. Evidence that the mechanisms which mediate resistance during early patent infections may lack immunological specificity
Authors: Harrison R. A. , Bickle Q. , Doenhoff M. J.
Published: June 2009

Mice infected with 25 to 35 unsexed Schistosoma mansoni cercariae became resistant to homologous challenge by 8 weeks, and the degree of resistance that was acquired correlated with the size of the worm burden and the tissue egg burden. Mice given 100 male or 100 female cercariae alone failed to become resistant even after 30–40 weeks of infection. When a super-infection of 100 male or 100–300 female cercariae was given to mice with 25 unsexed cercariae, the degree of resistance that was acquired was generally lower than in mice given 25 unsexed cercariae alone. In the super-infected mice there was no correlation between the size of the worm burden (mainly unpaired male or female worms) and the degree of acquired resistance. In mice super-infected with male worms there was an inverse correlation between the number of male worms and the number of eggs deposited in the liver and intestine by each mature worm pair. A positive correlation was, however, still found between the degree of acquired resistance and total tissue egg counts in mice super-infected with single sex cercariae. Mice injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously with intact S. mansoni eggs failed to become resistant to S. mansoni challenge. Transfer of lymphoid cells or serum, separately or together, from heavily infected and demonstrably resistant donor mice to naive normal or T-cell deprived recipients failed to render the recipients resistant to S. mansoni challenge. The results indicate that resistance to re-infection in mice with recently patent S. mansoni infections is dependent on the number of S. mansoni eggs entrapped in the tissues, and that excessive numbers of unpaired S. mansoni male or female worms can inhibit the fecundity of established worm pairs. The apparent acquired resistance to S. mansoni that has been observed in this model system may be largely a consequence of non-specific factors interfering with normal patterns of challenge worm migration and maturation.
The diurnal migration of the fowl cestode, Raillietina cesticillus
Authors: Gray J. S.
Published: June 2009

R. cesticillus was found to undergo a diurnal migration in both multiple and single worm infections of the fowl. This migration involved movement of both scoleces and strobilae and occurred in an anterior direction when the intestine was empty of food, and in a posterior direction when the intestine contained food. The relevance of the migration to the histological picture of the worm in situ is discussed and some possible explanations for the migration are suggested.
A comparative analysis of various developmental stages ofSchistosoma mansoniwith respect to their protein composition
Authors: Ruppel Andreas , Cioli Donato
Published: June 2009

The protein composition ofSchistosoma mansoniwas analysed by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide slab gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. A high degree of identity existed between protein patterns obtained from immature and adult parasites of the two sexes. Some stage-and sex-specific components were identified and their possible origin discussed.
The structure and formation of the egg-shell of Hammerschmidtiella diesingi Hammerschmidt (Nematoda: Oxyuroidea)
Authors: Wharton D. A.
Published: June 2009

The structure and chemistry of the egg-shell of Hammerschmidtiella diesingi was examined. The shell consists of 5 layers: external uterine layer, internal uterine layer, vitelline layer, chitinous layer and lipid layer. The uterine layers contain discrete spaces which open to the exterior via pores. Freeze etching revealed particles of 8·0 nm diameter in the external uterine layer and fibres measuring 2·6–3·1 nm in the chitinous layer. The morphology of the reproductive system, the cytoplasmic inclusions of the mature oocyte and the formation of the layers of the egg-shell are described.
The effect of age, acquired resistance, pregnancy and lactation on some reactions of cattle to infection with Ostertagia ostertagi
Authors: Michel J. F. , Lancaster M. B. , Hong C.
Published: June 2009

An experiment is described in which the effects of age, previous infection, pregnancy and lactation on some reactions of cattle to infection with Ostertagia ostertagi were studied. It was found that an acquired resistance to the establishment of worms developed more rapidly in 20-month-old heifers than in calves, that it was unaffected by pregnancy of the host but that it was largely lost by heifers in early lactation. The rate at which populations were turned over, i.e. the mean life-span of worms through the late 4th and 5th stages was unaffected by the factors studied. Although, in the conditions of the experiment, development of the worms was not arrested in susceptible calves, both age of the host and its previous experience of infection were significant causes of arrest, and in previously infected 20-month-old cattle 86% of the worms of a challenge infection were arrested. Pregnancy did not affect the proportion of worms that was arrested but in lactating heifers only marginally more worms were arrested than in calves. Worms that were not arrested grew more rapidly in calves and in lactating heifers than in empty heifers or those in mid-pregnancy.
Community control of helminth infections of man by mass and selective chemotherapy
Authors: Anderson R. M. , Medley G. F.
Published: June 2009

The design of mass and targetted community-based chemotherapy programmes for the control of the major helminth infections of man is discussed in relation to the population and transmission dynamics of the parasites. Rapid reinfection following a single mass or targetted anthelmintic application is shown to be a universal feature of helminth transmission, as a consequence of the regulatory or feed-back mechanisms controlling population abundance within both individuals and the community as a whole. Control of reinfection requires repeated community treatment where the intensity of application and the interval between treatments are dependent on the reproductive life-expectancy of the adult worm, the net force of transmission prior to control (the basic reproductive rate) and the factors which create aggregation in the distribution of parasite loads within the population. Selective or targetted treatment is shown to be most effective for the control of morbidity as opposed to the control of transmission. The impact of targetted treatment depends critically on the factors that generate heterogeneity in parasite burdens and on whether or not selectivity is based on a single or repeated identification of the ‘wormy’ fraction of the community. Monte Carlo simulation studies are employed to assess the likely impacts of different control strategies on average parasite abundance/person and the distributions of parasite loads within populations. Future epidemiological research needs are discussed in relation to theoretical work and recent field studies of predisposition to heavy infection.
Growth of Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro: development and application of a continuous-flow culture system
Authors: Williams G. T. , Hudson L.
Published: June 2009

The design and operation of a modular, bacteriological continuous-flow culture system have been adapted for the growth of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes in simple monophasic media. The system was designed to achieve a minimum of 200 days of continuous culture and provision was made for the continuous supply of medium and collection of parasites under sterile conditions. The system provides large quantities of epimastigotes with homogeneous morphology and uniform viability. The system also lends itself tothe analysis of the factors which affect parasite growth. We have examined the effects of changes in environmental parameters on epimastigote growth rate. Optimal growth was observed at 27 °C. The rate ofstirring of the culture had a small but definable effect on the growth rate, which was greatest at 80 r.p.m. Growth was only slightly affected by the level of dissolved oxygen between 10 and 50% saturation, but was inhibited at higher concentrations. Growth was slower at extreme values of pH but showed a broad optimum around pH 7·4.
Cryopreservation of Babesia bovis for in vitro cultivation
Authors: Palmer D. A. , Buening G. M. , Carson C. A.
Published: June 2009

The most efficient procedure for cryopreserving viable Babesia bovis organisms for in vitro cultivation consists of freezing extracellular parasites in a solution of 10% (w/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) using a cooling rate of 20 °C/min. Although cultures can be established from thawed infected erythrocytes, the plating efficiency is relatively low. Freezing extracellular parasites resulted in plating efficiency up to 25%, when thawed and placed in culture. Glycerin or dimethyl sulphoxide (Me2SO) can be used successfully in the cryopreservation of B. bovis, but apparent toxic effects greatly decrease their efficiency. B. bovis parasites have been kept at − 196 °C for 60 days with no appreciable reduction in plating efficiency.
The development of drug-resistant strains of Eimeria maxima in the laboratory
Authors: Norton C. C. , Joyner L. P.
Published: June 2009

The development of strains of Eimeria maxima resistant to buquinolate, methyl benzoquate, clopidol, sulphaquinoxaline and robenidine is described. It was not possible to standardize a schedule of inoculations and drug administration, which would enable the development of resistance to the different drugs to be compared directly. Resistance developed most readily to the quinolones. One robenidine-resistant strain proved to be drug-dependent. Dinitolmide showed unusual effects upon sporogony and three attempts to develop resistance against this activity failed. Chicks previously immunized with the parent strain were completely protected against infection with the drug-resistant strains.
The dynamics of infection of Tribolium confusum by Hymenolepis diminuta: the influence of infective-stage density and spatial distribution
Authors: Keymer Anne E. , Anderson R. M.
Published: June 2009

The mean parasite burden of a population of Tribolium confusum is shown to rise to a plateau as the exposure density of infective eggs of Hymenolepis diminuta increases. The level of this plateau is shown to be dependent on the nutritional status of the host population, being depressed from approximately 18 cysticercoids/beetle in hosts which have been starved prior to experimentation, to approximately 2 cysticercoids/beetle in satiated hosts. A simple model is used to describe the shape of this infection functional response in terms of the predator–prey interaction between hosts (T. confusum) and parasite infective stages (H. diminuta eggs). The distribution of successful infections/host is shown to be over-dispersed, even when hosts are exposed to infective stages arranged in a uniform spatial pattern. The over-dispersion of parasite numbers/host is shown to become more severe as the spatial pattern of infective stages changes from under-dispersed, through random, to over-dispersed. Experimental results are discussed in relation to the dynamics of parasite–host interactions, in which infection takes place by host ingestion of a free-living infective stage.
Symposia Of The British Society For Parasitology
Authors: Anderson R. M. , Canning Elizabeth U. , Taylor Angela E. R. , Muller R.
Published: June 2009

The 1981 Autumn Symposium (held at the Zoological Society, London, on 31 October) was a new departure for the British Society for Parasitology in that Cambridge University Press have taken over publication of the proceedings. The style and layout of the contributions have been changed in order to conform with the format currently used in the journal Parasitology. The symposia proceedings will now be published as separate issues of Parasitology but with their own distinctive colour and cover design. The proceedings will be available by subscription to the journal or separately. Furthermore, the meeting organizers will in future be responsible for editing the symposia: assistance will be by Drs Taylor and Muller during a transition period.
Immunological differences in Eimeria maxima: effect of a mixed immunizing inoculum on heterologous challenge
Authors: Long P. L. , Millard B. J.
Published: June 2009

The immunological differences known to exist between laboratory strains of Eimeria maxima was confirmed. Protection against challenge with different strains or field isolates of the species could be achieved by including small numbers (25 oocysts) of each in the immunizing inoculum. Similar protection was obtained when 4 distinct populations which were allowed to interbreed were used in the immunizing inoculum. This hybrid mixture of E. maxima was used to immunize chickens against challenge with 7 new isolates of E. maxima from poultry houses in different parts of England. The results show that although immunological differences exist within E. maxima good protection against many strains of this species may be achieved by initial infection with the hybrid mixture of E. maxima.
Surface antigens of and cross-protection between two geographical isolates ofSchistosoma mansoni
Authors: Hackett F. , Simpson A. J. G. , Omer-Ali P. , Smithers S. R.
Published: June 2009

Two isolates ofSchistosoma mansonifrom Puerto Rico and Egypt were examined to determine if there were differences in surface antigens of the schistosomulum and to assess the ability of the two isolates to induce protection against one anotherin vivo. Immune mouse and human patient antisera recognized the same antigens on the schistosomulum surface of both isolates. However, mice immunized with schistosomula-released products from the Egyptian isolate recognized an additional antigen ofMr13K on the Egyptian schistosomulum surface which was not present in the Puerto Rican isolate. In quantitative radioimmunoassay, sera from mice vaccinated with irradiated Egyptian cercariae bound more strongly to Egyptian schistosomula than to Puerto Rican parasites. Both isolates cross-protected against each other, but mice were less immune to challenge with Egyptian cercariae after being immunized with Puerto Rican irradiated cercariae. There was no difference in immunity to challenge when Egyptian irradiated cercariae were used to immunize. Although this evidence suggested some heterogeneity within the Egyptian isolate, cloned cercariae of the Egyptian isolate did not vary in their ability to cross-protect against each other. Furthermore, antisera from mice immunized with clones of Egyptian cercariae recognized the same schistosomulum surface antigens. The results reported here indicate that although there were small differences between the two isolates the major surface antigens are conserved.
Echinococcus granulosus: changes in the surface ultrastructure during protoscolex formation
Authors: Rogan M. T. , Richards K. Sylvia
Published: June 2009

Changes in the tegumentary projections of protoscoleces ofEchinococcus granulosus, developing within brood capsules, were examined at the ultrastructural level. The original scant covering of spineless, truncated microtriches was supplemented by a population of microvilli covering the entire surface of protoscoleces in the early stages of formation. As differentiation continued, rostellar hooks were formed by enlargement of single large (T1) microtriches, and normal spined microtriches were produced on the sucker region. These were formed in two ways: by addition of spine material to the truncated microtriches, andde novofollowed by up-lifting from the tegumentary surface. A second type of large microthrix (T2) was present in a band immediately below the developing hooks. These microtriches appeared to be formed from a fusion of existing microtriches, but were subsequently lost prior to scolex invagination. The microvilli were also shed from both the sucker and soma regions, to be replaced by microtriches and small blunt elevations respectively.
Interactions between the intestinal flagellates Giardia muris and Spironucleus muris and the blood parasites Babesia microti, Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium berghei in mice
Authors: Brett Sara J. , Cox F. E. G.
Published: June 2009

In mice infected with the intestinal flagellates Giardia muris or Spironucleus muris, together with the blood parasites Babesia microti or Plasmodium yoelii, there is a temporary decrease of flagellate cyst output coincident with the peak of the blood parasite infections, followed by a rapid return to normal levels. This decrease in cyst output is correlated with decreased numbers of trophozoites in the small intestine. The effect on S. muris is more marked than that on G. muris. Neither blood parasites has any effect on the total duration of the flagellate infection and the flagellates do not affect the blood parasites. In mice infected with G. muris or S. muris and P. berghei there is also a decrease in cyst output but this is less apparent than in infections with B. microti or P. yoelii because of the fatal nature of the P. berghei infection. It is suggested that the decrease in cyst output is probably due to changes in the contents of the small intestine or to non-specific immunological factors rather than to specific immunological changes.
Immunological comparison of four Trypanosoma spp. (sub-genus Schizotrypanum) from bats
Authors: Bower Susan M. , Woo P. T. K.
Published: June 2009

The antigenic differences and similarities between culture forms of Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) hedricki, Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) myoti, Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) vespertilionis and Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) dionisii, all isolated from bats, were compared using the double-diffusion technique. Antiserum to each trypanosome species was produced in rabbits by inoculating them with sonicated culture forms. Two isolates of T. hedricki were antigenically identical to each other, as were 2 isolates of T. myoti. There were several common antigens between the species. However, at least 1 antigen of each species was distinct from those of the other species.
Non-specific immunodepression by larval and adult Nematospiroides dubius
Authors: Ali N. M. H. , Behnke J. M.
Published: June 2009

Mice infected with Nematospiroides dubius generate weaker immune responses to concurrently administered sheep red blood cells (SRBC), than non-infected controls. The experiments described in this paper demonstrate that both adult and larval stages of N. dubius cause non-specific immunodepression of the response to SRBC. Mice which had been infected with larvae exposed to 25 krad. of irradiation, which prevents development to the adult luminal stages, produced as weak haemagglutination responses to SRBC as mice infected with normal worms even when SRBC were administered 6 weeks after infection. The removal of adult N. dubius by treatment with pyrantel 9, 11 and 15 days after infection with normal larvae did not restore the host's ability to respond to SRBC given on day 14. It was only when the mice had been without worms for 17 days that their capacity to respond normally to SRBC was restored. Mice infected with 60 or 400 transplanted adult worms produced depressed haemagglutination and plaque-forming responses to concurrently injected SRBC when compared with normal or sham-operated controls. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the possible role of non-specific immunodepression in facilitating the survival of N. dubius in the host.
Development of early larval stages of Taenia ovis in vitro using a cell monolayer
Authors: Lawrence S. B. , Heath D. D. , Parmeter S. N. , Osborn P. J.
Published: June 2009

An in vitro culture system incorporating a cell monolayer was used to induce most activated oncospheres of Taenia ovis to enter post-oncospheral development. Seven distinct developmental phases were recognized during the 23 days required for development to reach a stage similar to that achieved after 14 days in vivo. Secretions or tegumental substance were released during each developmental phase.
Temperature-dependent survival and reproduction within populations of the ectoparasitic digenean Transversotrema patialense on the fish host
Authors: Mills C. A.
Published: June 2009

The reproduction and survival of the ectoparasitic digenean Transversotrema patialense on the fish host Brachydanio rerio are shown to be temperature-dependent. Survival is reduced by any deviation from an optimum temperature of approximately 23°C. With increasing temperature the rate of egg production per surviving fluke rises progressively faster to a higher peak up to 29°C but falls to zero by 35°C. The span of egg production varies closely with the life-span of the parasite at each temperature. The optimum temperature for the total number of eggs produced by each cohort of parasites is also 23°C. This number is a function of both adult parasite survival and the rate of egg output.
Studies on the function of the oxyurid egg-shell
Authors: Wharton D. A.
Published: June 2009

The egg-shell of Hammerschmidtiella diesingi and Aspiculuris tetraptera reduces the rate of water loss from the egg when exposed to desiccation. Staining of the enclosed larva by acid fuchsin and the collapse of eggs exposed to desiccation indicate that the permeability barrier is heat labile. This suggests that the lipid layer is the main permeability barrie of the shell. The complex structure of the uterine layers has a similar morphology to the respiratory structures of the chorion of some insect eggs. Reflections from the shell, the rate of embryonic development under various conditions and the penetration of lead ions indicate that the shell does not trap a layer of air when immersed in water and the uterine layers cannot, therefore, function as a plastron network. Calculations indicate that if diffusion is limited to the pores in the external uterine layer, the area available for gaseous exchange is reduced by 85·5% in H. diesingi, 95·6% in A. tetraptera and 96·8% in Syphacia obvelata. It is suggested that the uterine layers of oxyurid egg-shells function in a similar fashion to the pores in bird egg-shells and the aeropyles in the chorion of insect egg-shells which do not possess plastron networks. These structures reduce water loss from the egg whilst ensuring an adequate supply of oxygen for embryonic development.