Metazoan parasite community of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Steindachnerina brevipinna</Emphasis> (Curimatidae) from Southern Brazil

In order to examine the ecological relationships of metazoan parasites and their hosts, 63 specimens of Steindachnerina brevipinna have been collected from April to September 2006, in the rivers Guairacá and Corvo, tributaries of the low Paranapanema River. Five different parasite species have been found (Paranaella sp., Sphicterodiplostomum musculosum, Cosmoxynema vianai, Travnema travnema and Spinoxyuris sp.), with parasite richness from 1 to 4. The dominance index (C > 0.25) was calculated for S. musculosum and aggregation of S. musculosum and Paranaella sp. were reported. There were no associations or covariations between the species of parasites. Values did not show interference of parasite abundance at different gonadal maturity stages. The relative condition factor (Kn) did not show significant values regarding quantitative and qualitative data on parasitism. Statistical tests were significant between the prevalence and the abundance of parasites and the standard length of the hosts, as well as for the parasite abundance in different months and tributaries.     

Helminth fauna of two cyprinid fish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Campostoma ornatum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Codoma ornata</Emphasis>) from the upper Piaxtla River,Northwestern Mexico

The helminth parasite fauna of 2 species of freshwater fishes from the upper Piaxtla River in northwestern Mexico was studied. A total of 41 cyprinids, corresponding to 20 Campostoma ornatum and 21 Codoma ornata were analyzed. Six species of platyhelminths were recorded, including 2 species of monogeneans (Gyrodactylus sp. and Dactylogyrus sp.), 3 species of digeneans (Posthodiplostomum minimum, Clinostomum complanatum, and Margotrema sp.), and 1 species of tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi). Helminth parasite infracommunities were depauperate, showed low richness and diversity values, and were dominated by 1 or 2 helminth species. This pattern is consistent with that observed for the helminth parasite communities in other freshwater fishes in central and northern Mexico.     

Canine visceral leishmaniasis in Teresina, Brazil: Relationship between clinical features and infectivity for sand flies

Leishmania chagasi is an intracellular parasite transmitted by the bite of the phlebotomine sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis, which is the most important of American visceral leishmaniasis. In the gut of the vector, amastigoste forms of the parasite transform into metacyclic promastigotes, from there to the foregut, where they could be transmitted in the next blood meal. Xenodiagnosis is an important tool for the detection of Leishmania, especially when associated to molecular techniques, both being useful for the monitoring and evaluation of dog infectivity in endemic areas. In this study, direct search of Leishmania from material obtained through xenodiagnosis performed in dogs captured in Teresina (Piauí State, Brazil) identified that the predominant forms of the parasite were the procyclic and metacyclic forms located in the hindgut, detected between the 5th and 6th day after the blood meal. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we revealed that dogs with different clinical status were able to infect phlebotomines, the rates of sand fly infection being higher for symptomatic dogs (13%) as compared to asymptomatic ones (3.5%). The direct search was able to demonstrate infection only in phlebotomines in which the blood meal was performed on symptomatic dogs, with a rate of infection of 1.6%. The results underline the importance of using PCR and xenodiagnosis for the detection of Leishmania sp. And for the evaluation of infectivity of dogs in endemic areas, especially those that are asymptomatic.     

Endohelminth communities of the perch, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Perca fluviatilis</Emphasis> (Perciformes,Percidae) from Srebarna Biosphere Reserve,Bulgaria

Altogether 180 specimens of Perca fluviatilis (L.) from Srebarna Lake, North-eastern Bulgaria, were examined for helminths during spring, summer and autumn of 2005 – 2006. Of them, 143 (79.4 %) perch were infected with helminths. Thirteen helminth species were found: metacercariae of Bolbophorus confusus, Diplostomum pseudospathaceum, D. spathaceum, Ichthyocotylurus pileatus, Posthodiplostomum cuticola and Tylodelphys clavata; cestode Proteocephalus percae; acantocephalans Acanthocephalus anguillae and A. lucii and nematode larvae Contracaecum microcephalum, Eustrongilides excisus, E. tubifex and Rhaphidascaris acus. The digenean T. clavata was dominant species of the perch component community. Little seasonal differences were found in the prevalence, abundance and mean infection of helminths. Eustrongilides tubifex reported from the territory of Bulgaria for the first time, represent the new geographical records and new species of Bulgarian helminth fauna.     

Syncuaria squamata (Linstow, 1883) (Nematoda: Acuariidae) in the Great Cormorant [Phalacrocorax carbo sinensins (Blumenbach, 1798)] in northern Poland

Summary Of the 105 great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensins) from northern Poland (the Vistula Lagoon and Masurian Lake District), examined in 2000–2001, 67 proved hosts of the nematode Syncuaria squamata (Linstow, 1883). The prevalence, mean intensity, and intensity range amounted to 63.8 %, 36.2 specimens, and 1–120 specimens, respectively. The infection was heavier in the immature birds (84.6 %, 40.9 inds, and 1–120 inds) than in the adults (3.7 %, 1 ind.). The nematodes were dominated by gravid females (n=1846), followed by males (n=157), immature females (n=79), and L4 larvae (n=2). Measurements of the parasite are provided. S. squamata is a new species for the parasite fauna of Poland.     

Molecular genotyping of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anisakis</Emphasis> Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda: Ascaridoidea: Anisakidae) larvae from marine fish of Balinese and Javanese waters,Indonesia

Summary The genetic identification and distribution of Anisakis larvae in Indonesia is described. 110 Auxis rochei rochei and 45 Decapterus russellii were sampled from fish markets in North (Anturan) and South (Kedonganan) Bali. Nematode larvae from A. rochei rochei, Caesio cuning and Epinephelus areolatus from Kedonganan and from Coryphaena hippurus from Pelabuhan Ratu, South Java, were identified using sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS-1, ITS-2) and 5.8S region of rDNA. The larvae belonged to Anisakis typica with an identical sequence to this species from the spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) from Brazil, and to 2 further genotypes that differed from that sequence by 0.24–0.47 %. A. typica occurred in the migratory A. rochei rochei and C. hippurus, while Anisakis sp. 1 and 2 were isolated from the same fish species and the non-migratory C. cuning and E. areolatus. The latter genotype is distinguishable by 4 positions in the ITS-1 region (1.1 %), a genetic distance that indicates the presence of an Indonesian A. typica sibling species. The musculature infection in A. rochei rochei was low (2.5 %), indicating no major risk for the fish consumers. The much higher A. typica infection of fish intermediate hosts in the northern Bali coast is suggested to be dependent on the large dolphin population (nematode final hosts) in the waters off Lovina Beach (North Bali).     

Helminths of the brown rat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rattus norvegicus</Emphasis>) (Berkenhout, 1769) in the city of Palermo,Italy

A helminthological survey was performed on 143 brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from the city of Palermo (Italy). The overall prevalence of helminth infection was 98.60 %. The following parasites were found: Brachylaima sp. (prevalence 8.39 %) (Trematoda); Taenia taeniaeformis larvae (11.89 %), Rodentolepis nana (13.29 %), Hymenolepis diminuta (24.48 %) (Cestoda); Gongylonema sp., (4.90 %), Syphacia muris (8.39 %), Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (18.88 %), Eucoleus gastricus (30.07 %), Mastophorus muris (30.77 %), Capillaria hepatica (54.55 %), Heterakis spumosa (82.52 %) (Nematoda) and one acanthocephalan (0.70 %). The species found in males were also present in females, with the exception of the acanthocephalan. No significant differences were found between males and females in prevalence (P%) or mean infection intensity (MI). However, a significant correlation between both P% and MI, as well as host age, was observed in some helminth species. Hosts were infected by one to six helminth species (median = 3). This is the first report from Sicily of helminths in R. norvegicus.     

Tetrameres (Tetrameres) nouveli bodrogensis n. ssp. (Spirurata) and other nematodes of three species of shorebirds (Charadriiformes) in the Slovak Republic

Summary Eight taxons of nematode parasites were recovered from three species of charadriid shorebirds (Charadriiformes) from Slovakia: common ringed plover — Charadrius hiaticula (L.) (No=9), little ringed plover — Charadrius dubius Scop., 1786 (No=56) and golden plover — Pluvialis apricaria (L.)(No=14). New host record (Ch.dubius) were registered for Tetrameres (Tetrameres) nouveli (Seurat, 1914), described as so far unknown Tetrameres (T.) nouveli bodrogensis n. ssp. New data on Victorocara charadrii Belopolskaja, 1953 have been pointed out. Besides the taxons mentioned above, the following species were registered: Eucoleus contorta, Eucoleus obtusiuscula and in Slovakia so far not described Capillaria limicolae, Tetrameres (T.) sp., Capillaridae gen. sp. and Anisakidae gen. sp.     

Occurence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomphorhynchus laevis</Emphasis> (Acanthocephala) in the Marsh Frog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rana ridibunda</Emphasis> Pallas, 1771), from Turkey

Summary   Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller, 1776) was recovered from Marsh frogs (Rana ridibunda), collected in three localities, Yesilirmak River (Amasya Province), Civril Isikli Lake and Bagbasi district (Denizli Province) from Turkey. This is the first report of Pomphorhynchus laevis from a frog in Turkey.     

Parasitic helminths from feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Japan

Summary An epidemiological survey of 1688 free-ranging raccoons (Procyon lotor) captured on the Japanese main islands of Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu was undertaken to determine whether Baylisascaris procyonis, which provokes fatal neurological larva migrans was present; however, the worm was not detected in any of these individuals. A helminthological investigation was carried out on 229 of the captured racoons and the following worms obtained: Toxocara tanuki, Porrocaecum sp., Molineus legerae, Ancylostoma kushimaense, Aonchotheca putorii, Centrorhynchus sp., Centrorhynchus bazaleticus, C. elongatum, Plagiorhynchidae gen sp., Hemiechinosoma sp., Metagonimus takahashii, M. miyatai, Euparyphium sp., Plagiorchis muris, Brachylaima sp., and Taenia hydatigena. These were the first records of Porrocaecum sp., M. miyatai, Brachylaima sp. and T. hydatigena obtained from Japanese feral raccoons. Scanning electron microscopic and/or molecular analyses were performed for both T. tanuki and T. hydatigena as these helminths both have a zoonotic counterpart amongst their families.     

Sensitization with anti-inflammatory BmAFI of Brugia malayi allows L3 development in the hostile peritoneal cavity of Mastomys coucha

Filarial parasites survive by inducing tolerance in host but the antigens and mechanisms involved are not clear. Recently we found that BmAFI, a Sephadex G-200 eluted fraction of Brugia malayi adult worm extract, stimulates IL-10 release from THP-1 cells. In the present study, we determined the SDS-PAGE profile of BmAFI and infective 3rd stage larva (L3), investigated the effect of pre-sensitization of host with BmAFI on the survival and development of L3 in the non-permissive peritoneal cavity (p.c.) of the permissive host Mastomys coucha and in the p.c. of non-permissive Swiss mice, and studied immunological correlates for the observed effects. The parasite development and burden in p.c., was determined in sensitized infected M. coucha and Swiss mice and the release of TGF-β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ and NO, cellular proliferative response to Con A and BmAFI and levels of IgG subclasses and IgE were determined in sensitized infected M. coucha. Cellular proliferative response to Con A and BmAFI, mRNA expression of GATA-3, CTLA-4 and T-bet were determined in sensitized Swiss mice. In addition, the parasitological parameter was also studied in BmAFI-sensitized M. coucha exposed to the infection by standard subcutaneous (s.c.) route to assess whether sensitization enhances the intensity of infection. BmAFI-sensitization permitted survival of L3 and their development to adult stage by day 60 p.i. in the p.c. of M. coucha; in non-sensitized animals L3 could molt to L4 only and no parasite could be recovered beyond day 30 p.i. In M. coucha that received infection by s.c. route, pre-sensitization with BmAFI enhanced the microfilaraemia and adult worm recovery. In sensitized Swiss mice L3 could successfully molt to L4 in p.c. with improved recovery of parasite. BmAFI sensitization upregulated TGF-β and IL-10 release, IgG1 and IgG2b levels, GATA-3 and CTLA-4 mRNA expression, suppressed the cellular proliferative response and downregulated Con A stimulated response, IgE, IL-13, IFN-γ and NO responses. Immunoblot analysis showed that the BmAFI antiserum also strongly reacts with some L3 molecules. The results show, for the first time, that sensitization with the anti-inflammatory BmAFI which shares some of its molecules with those in L3, facilitates parasite survival in the non-permissive p.c. of the permissive host M. coucha, render a non-permissive Swiss mouse partially permissive to infection and enhances parasite load in M. coucha receiving the infection through permissive s.c. route by evoking a modified Th2 type of response and anti-inflammatory milieu. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory BmAFI fraction facilitates survival of B. malayi infection even in non-permissive environment.     

The first record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirocerca lupi</Emphasis> (Rudolphi, 1809) (Spirocercidae,Nematoda) from Poland based on faecal analysis of wolf (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Canis lupus</Emphasis> L.)

Summary During studies on the helminth fauna of wolves inhabiting natural ecosystems of Poland, 86 scats were examined. All the samples were collected in the autumn of 2005. Spirocerca lupi was detected with decantation and flotation techniques. The prevalence was 2.32 %. This is the first record of the parasite from Poland and the third case of its occurrence in the wolf (Canis lupus L.) within its distribution range.     

Trematodes from Red Sea fishes: Prosteganoderma brayi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Zoogonidae Odhner, 1902) and Forticulcita mugilis sp. nov. (Haploporidae Nicoll, 1914)

Summary Specimens of the fishes Scarus ghobban Forssk?l (Scaridae) and Crenimugil crenilabis Forssk?l (Mugilidae) were caught in the Red Sea off the coast of Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt. Ten (20 %) and 15 (50 %) of these fishes, respectively, were found to harbour intestinal trematodes. Scarus ghobban was parasitised by Prosteganoderma brayi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Zoogonidae) and C. crenilabis by Forticulcita mugilis sp. nov. (Haploporidae). Prosteganoderma gen. nov. is similar to Steganoderma Stafford, 1904, but clearly differs from it and from all the other genera of the subfamily Lepidophyllinae Stossich, 1903 in having a large ventral sucker surrounded by a large prominent fleshy fold of the body wall and a pre-testicular uterus. Forticulcita mugilis sp. nov. is similar to F. glabra Overstreet, 1982, the type and the only species of the genus, but clearly differs in having a larger body size, a longer forebody, an intestinal bifurcation in the middle of the body, subequal gonads, Laurer’s canal opening dorsally at a considerable distance posterior to the testis and a much larger egg size.     

Helminth parasites of the pupfish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinodon meeki</Emphasis> (Pisces: Cyprinodontiformes), an endemic freshwater fish from North-Central Mexico

Summary A total of 21 pupfish Cyprindon meeki was collected from the spring Abraham González, Durango, Mexico. Seven helminth taxa were recovered: Salsuginus angularis, Posthodiplostomum minimum, Clinostomum complanatum, Bothriocephalus acheilognathi, Cyclustera cf. ralli, Atactorhynchus duranguensis and Spiroxys sp. Among them, B. acheilognathi and A. duranguensis were the most frequent and abundant species. The remaining species were rare and found at low mean abundance. The observed species richness, individual parasite abundance, and diversity were low at component community and infracommunity levels. These features are in accordance with those recorded for other freshwater fish species in the Nearctic part of Mexico. Host feeding habits, along with its role as intermediate host, are suggested as the main factors in determining the helminth community structure in this fish species.     

First record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schulmanela petruschewskii</Emphasis> Shulman, 1948 (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from cultured Rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus mykiss</Emphasis>) in Turkey

The nematode Schulmanela petruschewskii (Shulman, 1948) was identified during the parasitological examination on the liver parenchyma in one specimens of a cultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) which reared in Derbent Dam Lake in Samsun, Turkey (41°25′6′’ North latitude, 35°49′52′’ East longitude) in August 2008. This parasite species was not previously reported from Turkey. With the present study we report S. petruschewskii for the first time in Turkey. This specimen which is a parasite of cultured rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is a new record for the Turkish parasite fauna. Original measurements and figures are presented.     

Gastrointestinal helminths found in the three freshwater turtles (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Erymnochelys madagascariensis,Pelomedusa subrufa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pelusios castanoides</Emphasis>) from Ankarafantsika National Park,Madagascar

Summary We conducted a survey of the presence, prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal helminths in faecal samples and stomach contents of three turtle species, — Erymnochelys madagascariensis (Chelonia: Podocnemididae), Pelomedusa subrufa and Pelusios castanoides (Chelonia: Pelomedusidae), — from several localities in Madagascar. Four nematode species were detected: Atractis chabaudi, Camallanus chelonius, Falcaustra pelusios, and Spiroxys sp. E. madagascariensis, with all four species, had the greatest helminth diversity. A. chabaudi was the community’s core species, whereas Spiroxys sp. was a satellite species. Only two species (A. chabaudi and Spiroxys sp.) were found in P. subrufa and only one, Spiroxys sp., in P. castanoides. These are the first helminthological data on E. madagascariensis, one of the most threatened freshwater turtles in the world.     

Characterization of the recognition specificity of autoreactive, polyspecific monoclonal antibodies obtained from spleen cells of parasite-infected BALB/c mice

We examined the specificity of four monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) obtained from Schistosoma japonicum (1D, GAO3), Trypanosoma cruzi (TSLO), and Trichinella spiralis (TSY2) infected BALB/c mice. All four MoAbs reacted not only with autologous parasite antigens but also with various heterologous parasite antigens and normal tissues. The antigen recognition pattern seen on Western blots was almost identical in 1D and GAO3, and in TSLO and TSY2. Furthermore, certain bands were identical among all four MoAbs. The mechanisms responsible for these phenomena are discussed.     

Concentrations of selected heavy metals in Ligula intestinalis L., 1758 plerocercoids (Cestoda) compared to it host’s (Tinca tinca L., 1758) organs from Beyşehir Lake (Turkey)

Summary  The accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn) was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in some organs of tench (Tinca tinca L., 1758) and tissues of its parasite collected from Beyşehir Lake, and compared with the data from sediments and water. The Cu levels in L. intestinalis L., 1758 plerocercoids were 1.69 times, respectively, higher than those in fish gill. Zn level in L. intestinalis plerocercoids was 2.13 times higher than those in fish liver, was 5.53 times higher than that of the muscle and 3.33 times higher than that in the gill. Significant negative (for Mn) correlation was found between the quantity of heavy metals in water and tissues of L. intestinalis plerocercoids while there was significant negative (for Cu) correlation between the quantity the heavy metals in bottom sediment and tissues of L. intestinalis plerocercoids. This study supports the idea that cestodes aren’t very useful to determine the heavy metal pollution in aquatic system when they are located in their intermediate host’s body cavity.