bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The production, transfer and assimilation of spermatophores by Entobdella soleae, a monogenean skin parasite of the common sole
Authors: Kearn G. C. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYIt has been shown that mating involving mutual exchange of spermatophores takes place in the skin-parasitic monogenean Entobdella soleae from Solea solea. The spermatophores are attached to the ventral surface of the body in the region of the vaginal opening and they are sucked into the vagina after mating by muscular contractions of the vaginal region.Mating takes place between young individuals with no vitellaria and between fully mature egg-laying adults but there is no evidence that self-fertilization takes place.The apparatus which manufactures the spermatophores is described and the evidence indicates that spermatozoa are injected into the jelly-like matrix of the spermatophore as the matrix is being extruded into the surrounding sea-water.I would like to thank the Director and Staff of the Laboratory of the Marine Biological Association at Plymouth for providing excellent facilities for this work and I am particularly grateful to Mr J. E. Green, who kindly fed and maintained infected soles at the Laboratory.
Nematode parasites of Oceanica: VIII. Filariids of birds, with a new genus and four new species
Authors: Schmidt Gerald D. , Kuntz Robert E. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYFilariids of birds of Taiwan, Palawan and Sabah are discussed. Oceanifilaria verrucosa gen. et. sp.nov. from woodpeckers is proposed in Dicheilonematinae. It differs from other genera in the subfamily in having asymmetrical caudal alae, in lacking sessile papillae between the alae and in possessing a band of cuticular bosses at the anterior end followed by a bare zone, the latter followed by irregular bosses over the rest of the body. Aprocta calliderma sp.nov. from a cuckoo differs from A. papillosa Chabaud, Anderson & Brygoo, 1959, in having an oesophagus about one-sixth as long. Parornithofilaria hepatica sp.nov. from a pigeon differs from P. lienalis (Orloff, 1947) Sonin, 1965, in having unequal spicules with the right 110–120 mm and the left 140–175 μm long. Parornithofilaria sonini sp.nov. from magpies differs from P. hepatica in spicule shape, tail length and distribution of caudal papillae. Other species reported and briefly discussed are: Hamato-spiculum quadridens (Molin, 1858) Boulenger, 1928, H. cylindricum (Zeder, 1803) Hartwich, 1954; Aprocta lepidogrammi (Tubangui & Masiluñgan, 1937) Anderson & Chabaud, 1958; A. cylindrica Linstow, 1883; Pseudaprocta decorata Li, 1933; P. gubernacularia Schikhobolova, 1930; P. sichoealinensis Oshmarin & Belous, 1951; Paraprocta brevicauda (Chandler, 1924) Maplestone, 1931; Paronchocerca tonkinensis (Chow, 1939) Lopez-Neyra, 1947; Diplotriaena corrugata Wehr, 1930; D. epsilon Johnston & Mawson, 1940; D. henryi Blanc, 1919; D. leiperi Anderson, 1959; D. ozouxi (Railliet & Henry, 1909) Henry & Ozoux, 1909; D. pungens (Schneider, 1866) Henry & Ozoux, 1909; and D. unguiculata (Rudolphi, 1819) Li, 1933.We wish to acknowledge the field support by Dr D. S. Rabor, Department of Biology, Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Republic of the Philippines, and the technicians of the Parasitology Department of Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 for general assistance in procurement and examination of hosts. Dr B. J. Myers assisted with initial handling of the specimens.
Demodex antechini sp.nov. (Acari, Demodicidae) parasitic on Antechinus stuartii (Marsupialia)
Authors: Nutting W. B. , Sweatman Gordon K. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe first marsupial demodicid, Demodex antechini, is described with notes on its life cycle, sexual dimorphism and pathology. This species is remarkably similar except for the marked sexual dimorphism, to demodicids of eutherian mammals. This suggests an early origin and a long evolutionary history of parallelism within the genus.Our thanks to Patricia Woolley, Waite Agricultural Institute, Glen Osmond, Australia, for the specimens used in preparing this paper. We would also like to thank Clifford Desch for the photography and the drawings. The work reported here was supported in part by NSF Grant (GB-3516).
The development ofEchinococcus granulosuslarvae in laboratory animals
Authors: Heath D. D. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYRabbits and mice, but not sheep, guinea-pigs or rats, were suitable hosts for secondary echinococcosis using protoscoleces obtained from Australian sheep. The host specificity is tentatively related to the phylogenetic relationship between the donor host and receptor host.The development rate of hydatid cysts in mice is described in terms of increase in fresh weight, dry weight, and maximum cyst diameter. Fertile cysts were found after 8 months when the water content of the cysts had increased to more than 95 %. The diameter of fertile cysts up to 14 months ranged from 6 to 30 mm. By 14 months, the average fresh weight of cysts was greater than the body weight of the mice.This work was carried out during the tenure of an Australian Wool Board Senior Postgraduate Scholarship, and forms part of a thesis to be presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the Australian National University.I wish to thank my supervisor, Professor J. D. Smyth, for guidance and criticism.
Modulation of the bacterial clearance activity of haemocytes from the freshwater mollusc, Lymnaea stagnalis, by the avian schistosome, Trichobilharzia ocellata
Authors: Núñez P. E. , Ademal C. M. , De Jong-Brink M. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe ability of haemocytes, from the haemolymph of the gastropod mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis, to recognize and eliminate the bacterium Aeromonas salmonicida was shown using an in vitro bacterial clearance assay. The assay employs a dye which is reduced by A. salmonicida in direct proportion to the number of viable bacteria resulting in a colour change which can be determined spectrophotometrically. Addition of cytochalasin B resulted in a marked decrease in bacterial clearance, implicating both intracellular and extracellular cytotoxicity of haemocytes. A comparison of haemocytes from uninfected snails and snails infected with the avian schistosome parasite Trichobilharzia ocellata showed that both juveniles and adults of L. stagnalis were susceptible to infection with T. ocellata. After exposure to the trematode for 1·5 h the haemocytes from these infected snails had an enhanced clearance capacity, whilst cells obtained from snails with 24–96 h infections showed decreased clearance of the bacteria, indicating suppression by the parasite. Haemocytes, as well as plasma, which was tested on haemocytes from uninfected snails, were used and hence a distinction was made between cell and humoralassociated effects. The results show that both cellular and humoral components of immunity were activated, then suppressed, following exposure to the parasite. Infection with T. ocellata seems to have a modulating effect on the bactericidal activity of the internal defence system of the snail host, L. stagnalis.
Genetic differences in the interactions of a microsporidian parasite and four clones of its cyclically parthenogenetic host
Authors: Ebert D. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYHost–parasite interactions were studied for the microsporidiumPleistophora intestinalisand its host,Daphnia magna. Two host clones were established from the same population from which the parasites were taken (home-1 and 2), and two clones from two other ponds (neighbour and Munich clone). With increasing clutch number infected females from home-1 clone produced relatively smaller clutches than uninfected females. Age and body length at maturity were not affected by the infection, but body length of the sixth adult instar was reduced. In an experiment including all four host clones, the parasite reproduced well in the two home clones and in the neighbour clone, but poorly in the Munich clone. Juvenile growth and age at maturity was not affected in the two home clones, but for the neighbour and the Munich clone age was delayed by 2·2 days and 4·1 days, and juvenile growth reduced by 16 and 23%, respectively. Significant host-clone x parasite-treatment interactions were also found for size at maturity and clutch size. This pattern of host-parasite interactions suggests that there is no general positive relation between disease severity and parasite multiplication rate.
Schistosome extracts with heat shock factor activity revealed by the gel shift assay
Authors: Levy-Holtzman R. , Schechter I. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYTo understand the regulated expression of stage-specific genes of schistosomes, it is necessary to identify regulatory DNA elements and DNA-binding proteins that control the level of gene transcription. Here we describe the preparation of Schistosoma mansoni extracts with active transcription factors detected by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). We analysed the hsp70 system of S. mansoni because the promoters of the hsp70 gene contain two heat shock elements (HSE) that differ from the consensus sequence (CnnGAAnnTTCnnG) at one (HSEI) or three (HSEII) positions, and it is known that transcriptional activation of hsp70 genes is mediated by interaction of HSE with the heat shock factor (HSF). Analyses of parasite extracts from different developmental stages demonstrate the presence of putative HSF that correlates with the pattern of hsp70 mRNA expression (cercariae-, schistosomula+, adult worms+). Cercarial extracts did not show binding of 32P-labelled HSEI or HSEII. Extracts of schistosomula and of adult worms kept at 37 or 42 °C showed binding of HSEI but not HSEII. The specificity of HSEI-HSF complex formation was ascertained by inhibition experiments. The EMSA experiments and structural features of the hsp70 promoter indicate that HSEI is the major DNA element responsible for transcriptional activation of the hsp70 gene, while the HSEII may be a redundant sequence with minor (if any) regulatory function. The extracts reported here can be used to study transcriptional control of other schistosome genes.
Response of inbred mice to infection with a new isolate ofTrypanosoma musculi
Authors: Chiejina S. N. , Street J. , Wakelin D. , Behnke J. M. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryA new isolate ofTrypanosoma musculihas been derived from organisms recovered fromMus spretuscaptured in Lisbon, Portugal. The time-course and profiles of infection with this isolate in inbred mice have been compared with those obtained with the existing Partinico II isolate. Infections with the Portuguese isolate are less intense, and controlled more quickly than those with the Partinico isolate. As with the latter, there are marked mouse strain-dependent influences on infection with the Portuguese isolate, but these strain-dependent characteristics differ considerably with each isolate. For example, NIH mice were the most susceptible to the Partinico II isolate, but virtually refractory to the Portuguese isolate. Mice exposed to infection with one isolate show complete immunity to both homologous and heterologous challenge infections. These striking interactions between host and parasite genotype are discussed in terms of immunological influences on infection.
Genetic structure and epidemiology ofAscarispopulations: patterns of host affiliation in Guatemala
Authors: Anderson T. J. C. , Romero-Abal M. E. , Jaenike J. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryIn Guatemalan villages people commonly rear pigs, and both hosts may be infected withAscaris. This study was designed to ask whether both humans and pigs are potential hosts in a single parasite transmission cycle in such villages, or alternatively, if there are two separate transmission cycles, one involving pigs and one involving human hosts. Parasites were collected from both host species from locations in the north and south of Guatemala. Allelic variation in the nuclear genome ofAscariswas measured using enzyme electrophoresis, while mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variation was quantified using restriction mapping. Low levels of enzyme polymorphism were found inAscaris, but allele frequencies at two loci, mannose phosphate isomerase and esterase, suggest that there is little gene exchange between parasite populations from humans and pigs. MtDNA haplotypes fall into two distinct clusters which differ in sequence by 3–4%; the two clusters broadly correspond to worms collected from humans and those collected from pigs. However, some parasites collected from humans have mtDNA characteristic of the ‘pigAscaris’ haplotype cluster, while some parasites collected from pigs have mtDNA characteristic of the ’ haplotype cluster. These shared haplotypes are unlikely to represent contemporary cross-infection events. Patterns of phylogenetic similarity and geographical distribution of these haplotypes suggest, instead, that they are the result of two historical introgressions of mtDNA between the two host-associatedAscarispopulations. The results clearly demonstrate thatAscarisfrom humans and pigs are involved in separate transmission cycles in Guatemala.
Endotoxins and the pathogenesis ofTrypanosoma brucei bruceiinfection in mice
Authors: Alafiatayo R. A. , Crawley B. , Oppenheim B. A. , Pentreath V. W. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryThe involvement of endotoxins inTrypanosoma brucei bruceiinfection in CD-1 mice was investigated by theLimulusamoebocyte lysate (LAL) test. At 7 days post-infection mean serum endotoxin level was elevated by 2·5 times (36·4 pg/ml cf. control 14·25 pg/ml, P < 0·001) and a similar increase was maintained throughout the infection (survival 28–35 days). Purified disrupted parasites contained significant endotoxin activity (mean value 280 pg/mg protein). The mouse infections were also associated with progressive Gram-negative bacteraemia (present in 4 Out of 5 infected animals by day 28 p.i.). The increased endotoxin levels may be due to parasite products, the products of intercurrent bacterial infections, other unidentified sources (e.g. from the gut), or a combination of these. It is concluded that the raised endotoxins may be important contributive factors in the pathogenesis of experimental murine trypanosomiasis.
Dipstick dot ELISA for the detection of Taenia coproantigens in humans
Authors: Allan J. C. , Mencos F. , Garcia-Noval J. , Sarti E. , Flisser A. , Wang Y. , Liu D. , Craig P. S. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryA dipstick dot ELISA for detection of Taenia-specific coproantigens was developed. The test was based on a sandwich ELISA using antibodies raised against adult Taenia solium. Antibodies were adsorbed to nitrocellulose paper previously adhered to acetate plastic to form dipsticks. Once blocked with 5% skimmed milk and dried the antibody-coated dipsticks were stable for several weeks at room temperature. Both micro and dot ELISA formats were genus specific although the dot ELISA was less sensitive than the micro ELISA based on the same antiserum. During field studies, in which the majority of samples were tested in rural villages soon after collection, 3728 samples were tested. All samples were also examined by microscopy using formol ether concentration and individuals questioned to determine whether they were aware of being infected. After the initial diagnostic work individuals were treated with taeniacidal drugs for worm recovery. Use of the coproantigen test significantly increased the number of cases diagnosed. Of the 41 cases diagnosed by the three diagnostic techniques combined 31 were detected by the dipstick assay making it the most sensitive technique employed. The specificity of the dipstick assay was 99·9% with a positive predictive value of 88·%. The combined diagnostic approach did not, however, diagnose all cases. The coproantigen test was fast and easy to use. Further improvements may make the dipstick test suitable for wide-scale use in field studies and diagnostic laboratories.
Observations on the pathogenicity and pathology of Ascaridia galli
Authors: Ikeme M. M. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe pathogenicity and pathology of Ascaridia galli infections of poultry were studied using repeated doses of varying numbers of eggs. No significant effect due to infection was seen on p.c.v. and Hb. values of infected chickens. Haemo concentration occurred parallel with sporadic diarrhoea, which follows high levels of repeated dosing. This phenomenon complicated the interpretation of blood protein values. A/G ratios were, however, worked out and analysed. No significant differences were noticed between the groups and it was concluded that under the levels of inoculation employed during the study there were no significant effects of A. galli infections on blood protein values as well as p.c.v. and Hb.values of infected chickens.Symptomatic developments, macroscopic lesions and pathological changes of intestinal tissues due to infection were followed up in detail. They were most severe in chickens on the least nutritive diet and sustaining the highest levels of repeated doses. Pathogenicity of larval and adult parasites was described. The presence of large numbers of adult parasites was associated with intestinal obstruction in host. This was seen mostly in chickens on low nutrition and sustaining either low or high levels of repeated inoculation, and very rarely also in chickens under high plane of nutrition but sustaining repeated inoculation of small numbers of eggs. Cellular infiltration as a result of infection was found to be extremely rare.It was present as fibroblasts and only in association with dead larvae.The author is indebted to the Department of Technical Cooperation, under whose Fellowship the study was carried out; the Department of Zoology, Edinburgh University, for facilities provided; the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Lasswode Poultry Research Laboratories, for the free supply of chickens used here; Dr J. A. Campbell of Edinburgh University for his keen interest, encouragement and advice throughout this work; and finally to G. Obiwelozor for reproducing the photographs from the original manuscript.
Changes in adult Nippostrongylus brasiliensis during the development of immunity to this nematode in rats: 2. Total lipids and neutral lipids
Authors: Lee D. L. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe total lipids and the amount of neutral lipids of male and female N. brasiliensis, from 7-day and 15-day infections, have been studied quantitatively. There is an increase in total lipids from 10·9 ± 2 to 15·5 ± 2 % in females and an increase from 8·4 ± 1 to 14·6 ± 2 % in males. In both sexes there is a rise in cholesterol and trigylceride content and a fall in free fatty acid content. These changes are discussed with reference to the development of immunity of the host to this nematode.I wish to thank Mrs B. Fisher, Mr A. W. Pearson and Mr N. Sykes for assistance during this work. These results form part of a programme of work supported by the A.R.C. while I was at the Molteno Institute, University of Cambridge, and continued at the Houghton Poultry Research Station. I wish to thank Dr P. Tate for accommodation at the Molteno Institute during the early part of this work.
Phenotypic analysis of the cellular responses in regional lymphoid organs of mice vaccinated againstSchistosoma mansoni
Authors: Constant S. L. , Mountford A. P. , Wilson R. A. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYThe cellular responses in regional lymphoid organs of C57B1/6 mice were examined, following protective immunization with 20 krad.-irradiated cercariae ofS. mansoni. Marked changes in total cell number were observed, with peak increases of 13·5-fold in the skin-draining (axillary) lymph nodes and 6·9-fold in the lung-draining (mediastinal) lymph nodes. In contrast, cellular responses were small in the spleen and undetectable in the brachial lymph nodes. The temporal pattern of responses was coincident with the kinetics of parasite migration, events in the mediastinal lymph node being apparent only after day 7. Phenotypic analysis of the cellular changes revealed an increase both in T lymphocytes and, to a greater extent, in B lymphocytes. The changes in Thyl+cells comprised an increase in both L3T4+and Lyt2+populations. A comparison of mice exposed to non-immunizing parasites (normal or 80 krad.-irradiated cercariae) with protected animals, revealed smaller and more transient cellular changes in the axillary lymph nodes of the former. We suggest that the successful immunization of mice with attenuated parasites depends upon the prolonged priming of lymphocytes within the lymph nodes draining the skin-exposure site and that the persistence of 20 krad.-irradiated parasites within these nodes provides the requisite stimulus.
Immunogenetic correlates of susceptibility to infection with Heligmosomoides polygyrus in outbred mice
Authors: Keymer A. E. , Tarlton A. B. , Hiorns R. W. , Lawrence C. E. , Pritchard D. I. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYOutbred MF1 mice were characterized with respect to their susceptibility to infection with Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda) on the basis of faecal egg counts after 8 weeks of repeated infection (50 larvae/week). Selective breeding for resistance and susceptibility was carried out over 3 generations. The H-2 type of a sample of the mice was determined, and antigen recognition assessed on the basis of Western blots against adult and larval H. polygyrus homogenate. The selective breeding programme yielded very strong evidence for the heritability of susceptibility to infection. The results were consistent with a model of single gene control with resistance dominant over susceptibility. The presence of the H-2k haplotype was significantly associated with susceptibility, as was the recognition of a 17 kDa antigen in blots against both larval and adult worm homogenate. The proportion of mice phenotypically susceptible to infection, the proportion bearing the H-2k haplotype, and the proportion recognizing the 17 kDa antigen, were all approximately 0.25.
The laboratory maintenance of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum (Nitzsch, 1824)
Authors: Sharp G. J. E. , Secombes C. J. , Pike A. W. 
Published: June 2009

SUMMARYA protocol for the routine laboratory maintenance of the life-cycle of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, using herring gulls (Larus argentatus), Cyclops abyssorum and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss ( = Salmo gairdneri) as the definitive, first and second intermediate hosts respectively, is described.
Frequency distributions of parasites in a population of three-spined sticklebacks,Gasterosteus aculeatusL., with particular reference to the negative binomial distribution
Authors: Pennycuick Linda 
Published: June 2009

All three species of parasites found in sticklebacks from Priddy had overdispersed distributions, similar in shape to host–parasite distributions described by other authors.The distributions of bothEchinorhynchus clavulaandDiplostomum gasterosteiwere fitted closely by the negative binomial. The values ofkwere similar for both species, being always less than unity; theDiplostomumdistributions were more overdispersed and therefore had higher values ofp.TheSchistocephalusdistributions were mostly described by the log normal, but the high percentage infection and relatively low overdispersion meant that the fit was often not close. There was also some truncation at the upper end.The relationship between the parameters of the negative binomial (pandk) and the shape and parameters of the original distribution have been investigated, both theoretically and with respect to the distributions of the stickleback parasites.In generalpvaried as the overdispersion andkas the percentage infection.The advantages of an overdispersed distribution to the host and parasite populations are discussed and related to the life cycles of the parasites.I am most grateful to Dr H. D. Crofton for his help and encouragement during this study, and to the staff of the Computer Unit, University of Bristol for their assistance with programming problems. This work was supported by a Science Research Council research studentship and a NATO studentship.