The influence of different management systems on the infection level of some gastrointestinal parasites in sheep in southern Poland

On the basis of the fecal egg counts, larval cultures and necropsies the infection of coccidia, tapeworms and gastrointestinal nematodes in dams and lambs under extensive and intensive management systems were estimated. During 1994 and 1995 total of 1740 coproscopic analyses were done. It was state, that in extensive farms the prevalence and EPG of gastrointestinal nematodes was higher in comparison with intensive management system (38.2-86% and 13.9-71.9% and 105-355 EPG and 33-131 EPG respectively). Similarly prevalence of tapeworms 0-18.2% and 1.3-8.3% respectively. Prevalence and intensity of coccidia was lower in extensive farms (20-78,5% and 83-482 OPG) comparing with intensive management system (38.2-88% and 139-2846 OPG). Predominant nematode species in both management systems were those from genes Haemonchus, Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia and Nematodirus. One species--Nematodirus battus was found new for Poland.     

Morphologic and molecular characterization of Isospora belli oocysts from patients in Thailand

To investigate the extent of genetic heterogeneity in the genus Isospora infecting patients in Thailand, a total of 38 fecal samples containing Isospora oocysts from human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients (n = 30), corticosteroid-treated patients (n = 3) and immunocompetent individuals (n = 5) were recruited for analysis. Remarkable variation in the maximum width and length of oocysts both within and between isolates was observed. However, the average length-width ratio of oocysts was within the range for I. belli (> 1.2). Ex vivo sporogonic development of freshly passed oocysts in feces from three of these isolates was observed longitudinally, showing that 27% of these oocysts underwent complete sporulation. Interestingly, 95% of sporulated oocysts contained two sporocysts in an oocyst with four sporozoites in each sporocyst, and Caryospora-like oocysts, characterized by eight sporozoites enclosed by a single sporocyst, were also detected (5%). The small subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA), 5.8S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1), and ITS-2 were highly conserved, indicating that there were no cryptic species or extensive strain variation.     

New/old opinions on the systematics and phylogenesis of the nematodes, with the special regard to Ascaridida, Ascaridoidea

Traditional classification of the nematodes, based on morphological-ecological characters was evaluated in the context of molecular analysis of systematic taxons, with special regards to ascarids. Division of superfamily Ascaridoidea into 4 families (Heterocheilidae, Ascarididae, Anisakidae, Raphidascarididae) proposed by Fagerhholm (1991) seems to be proved by the molecular data of Nadler (1992, 1995) and Nadler & Hudspeth (1998).     

Baylisascaris procyonis (Nematoda: Ascaridae) in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Orange County,California

Baylisascaris procyonis is one of the common nematodes of the raccoon (Procyon lotor), being well recognized as a cause of visceral, ocular, and neural larval migrans in many species of wild and domestic birds and mammals, including humana. Between January 15 and December 31, 2000 in Orange County, CA, 640 raccoons (P. lotor) were live-trapped in four spatial distributions zones, and B. procyonis egg shedding prevalence and fecal egg per gram (EPG) counts were determined in relation to spatial distribution zones, season of the year, age, and sex. Egg shedding prevalence rates were not statistically different between zones, but the EPG count in the primarily residential Zone D differed significantly from other zones. Egg shedding prevalence and EPG counts exhibited a significant rise in the fall and decline in the winter and were significantly higher in juvenile and male raccoons than in adult and female raccoons. The overall fecal egg shedding prevalence was 72.0 +/- 1.8% (461/640), and the overall EPG count was 27,982 +/- 1,006.     

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Caused by Exposure to a Gray Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

A 73-year-old woman complaining of cough and dyspnea was admitted to our hospital. High-resolution computed tomography chest revealed patchy ground-glass attenuation in the upper lung field. The patient suffered an asthma attack and was diagnosed with allergic pneumonitis; prednisolone was administered for treatment. Bird-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis was suspected, as she had a gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus) and a budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) at home. An immunoblotting analysis with the patient''s serum demonstrated IgG-binding fractions to the gray parrot''s feathers only; no binding was noted with the budgerigar antigens. The patient was conclusively diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis related to exposure to a gray parrot.     

福建省土源性线虫感染流行现状分析

目的了解福建省土源性线虫人群感染现状。方法2007-2009年对全省9个地市采用分层整群随机抽样的方式确定调查点,调查对象为3周岁以上常住居民。用Kato-Katz法(一粪一检)粪检蛔虫、钩虫和鞭虫虫卵,分别计算3种虫卵的每克粪便虫卵数(EPG),同时收集调查者的性别、年龄和受教育程度等。并将本次调查结果与1992年和2003年的调查结果进行比较分析。结果本次共调查了9地市49县(市、区)185乡(镇)610村的93 833人。土源性线虫总感染率为10.14%(9 511/93 833),与1992年和2003年的比较,分别下降了86.88%和71.84%。蛔虫、钩虫和鞭虫的感染率分别为1.32%(1 234/93 833)、7.31%(6 863/93 833)和1.73%(1 622/93 833)。蛔虫、钩虫和鞭虫感染者的平均EPG分别为9 556、526和156。男性和女性感染率分别为9.48%(4 385/46 246)和10.77%(5 126/47 587),性别间差异有统计学意义(χ2=42.84,P<0.01);各年龄组间感染率差异有统计学意义(χ2=1 626,P<0.01);不同教育程度的人群感染率不同,教育程度越高,感染率越低(χ2=1 107,P<0.01)。结论福建省土源性线虫感染率呈下降趋势,但是在经济欠发达地区感染率仍然较高,钩虫感染率仍高于全国平均水平。     

Does the oxidative stress theory of aging explain longevity differences in birds? II. Antioxidant systems and oxidative damage

The oxidative damage hypothesis of aging posits that the accumulation of oxidative damage is a determinant of an animal species' maximum lifespan potential (MLSP). Recent findings in extremely long-living mammal species such as naked mole-rats challenge this proposition. Among birds, parrots are exceptionally long-living with an average MLSP of 25 years, and with some species living more than 70 years. By contrast, quail are among the shortest living bird species, averaging about 5-fold lower MLSP than parrots. To test if parrots have correspondingly (i) superior antioxidant protection and (ii) lower levels of oxidative damage compared to similar-sized quail, we measured (i) total antioxidant capacity, uric acid and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as the activities of enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase), and (ii) markers of mitochondrial DNA damage (8-OHdG), protein damage (protein carbonyls) and lipid peroxidation (lipid hydroperoxides and TBARS) in three species of long-living parrots and compared these results to corresponding measures in two species of short-living quails (average MLSP=5.5 years). All birds were fed the same diet to exclude differences in dietary antioxidant levels. Tissue antioxidants and oxidative damage were determined both 'per mg protein' and 'per g tissue'. Only glutathione peroxidase was consistently higher in tissues of the long-living parrots and suggests higher protection against the harmful effects of hydroperoxides, which might be important for parrot longevity. The levels of oxidative damage were mostly statistically indistinguishable between parrots and quails (67%), occasionally higher (25%), but rarely lower (8%) in the parrots. Despite indications of higher protection against some aspects of oxidative stress in the parrots, the pronounced longevity of parrots appears to be independent of their antioxidant mechanisms and their accumulation of oxidative damage.     

The relationship between faecal egg counts, worm burden and tissue egg counts in early Schistosoma mattheei infections in cattle.

The relationships between schistosome faecal egg counts (EPG), total tissue egg counts (TEC) and adult female worm burdens (FW) recorded at post-mortem examination of 30 Friesian calves from three different field trials were analysed. The calves in study 1 (n=14) had been exposed to natural Schistosoma mattheei infections for 2 months, those of study 2 (n=9) for between 4 and 12 months, and those in study 3 (n=7) for 8 months. No clinical schistosomiasis was observed in any of the groups, and at perfusion, EPG's varied from 5 to 210, TEC's from 28,800 to 2,439,400 and FW's from 11 to 1218. There was as much variation in EPG, TEC and FW between calves with the same duration of exposure as between calves with different duration of exposure. There were very similar significant positive relationships between log transformed FW and log transformed EPG in all three groups (P<0.007, R2>0.46, slopes 0.957-1.015). There were also significant positive relationships between log transformed FW and log transformed TEC in all three groups (P<0.034, R2>0.45) and between log transformed TEC and log transformed EPG in all three groups (P<0.025, R2>0.48). All three studies had a linear relationship between log transformed FW and log transformed EPG with a slope value close to 1 (P>0.845 for different from one). This indicates that there was no evidence of density dependence in the three studies for the relationship between FW and EPG. In contrast, there was no consistent relationship (in terms of slope) between either log transformed TEC and log transformed FW in the three studies (after correcting for differential duration of exposure), or log transformed TEC and log transformed EPG. For all three sets of comparisons the predictability of one parameter based on another was poor for a single sample.     

Internal parasites of cattle in select Western Pomerania farms

Internal parasites of cattle in select Western Pomerania farms. The studies were carried out in five farms, on 84 calves and 153 cows. The prevalence and intensity of the Coccidia and gastro-intestinal nematodes infection were determined by means of the Willis-Schlaafs and McMaster's methods. The Coccidia composition in the examined animals was determined by morphological features of the oocysts and the sporulation time. The following four Eimeria species were isolated: E. bovis, E. aubernensis, E. zürni and E. ellipsoidalis. Two methods were used for detection of Cryptosporidium sp. - the Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique and coproantigen test. In cows, the overall prevalence was Eimeria sp. ranged from 5.5 to 23.4%, gastro-intestinal nematodes ranged from 12.7 to 42.6%. In calves, the overall prevalence Eimeria sp. was ranged from 10.0 to 36.8% oocysts and Cryptosporidium sp. 22.8%.     

Sex and species differences in plasma testosterone and in counts of androgen receptor-positive cells in key brain regions of Sceloporus lizard species that differ in aggression

We studied neuroendocrine correlates of aggression differences in adults of two Sceloporus lizard species. These species differ in the degree of sex difference in aggressive color signals (belly patches) and in aggression: Sceloporus undulatus (males blue, high aggression; females white, low aggression) and Sceloporus virgatus (both sexes white, lower aggression). We measured plasma testosterone and counted cells expressing androgen receptor-like immunoreactivity to the affinity-purified polyclonal AR antibody, PG-21, in three brain regions of breeding season adults. Male S. undulatus had the highest mean plasma testosterone and differed significantly from conspecific females. In contrast, there was no sex difference in plasma testosterone concentrations in S. virgatus. Male S. undulatus also had the highest mean number of AR-positive cells in the preoptic area: the sexes differed in S. undulatus but not in S. virgatus, and females of the two species did not differ. In the ventral medial hypothalamus, S. undulatus males had higher mean AR cell counts compared to females, but again there was no sex difference in S. virgatus. In the habenula, a control brain region, the sexes did not differ, and although the sex by species interaction significant was not significant, there was a trend (p=0.050) for S. virgatus to have higher mean AR cell counts than S. undulatus. Thus hypothalamic AR cell counts paralleled sex and species differences in aggression, as did mean plasma testosterone levels in these breeding-season animals.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxocara canis,Toxocara cati</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxascaris leonina</Emphasis> in wild and domestic carnivores

Ascarididae nematodes of genera Toxocara and Toxascaris are of significant epizootic relevance among predatory mammals from families Canidae and Felidae. Localization of these nematodes in the definitive hosts, their morphology, as well as the measurements of eggs and adult worms are similar. Recently, molecular techniques have provided alternative approaches for the identification of ascarid species. A common feature of the life cycles of these generally monoxenous nematodes is the significant participation of small rodents. In case of Toxocara spp., the rodent plays the role of paratenic host but optional intermediate host for T. leonina. Several studies indicate co-occurence of both T. canis and T. leonina in domestic and wild canids as well as T. cati and T. leonina in felids. Although the infections of humans with T. canis and T. cati are common worldwide, larvae of T. leonina has the potential to cause human disease as emerging zoonosis.     

Polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium and soil-transmitted helminth infections among school children in Loum, Cameroon

Prevalence and abundance of Schistosoma haematobium and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) were assessed among a total of 1600 pupils (urine, n = 1190; faecal samples, n = 1454) attending five schools in Loum, Littoral Province, Cameroon, with the specific aim of assessing the extent of polyparasitism and the extent to which infections were focused in particular subsets of the study group. Prevalence of S. haematobium was 62.8% with an abundance (arithmetic mean of egg counts) of 54 eggs/10 ml urine. For the STH these were 47.7% and 619 eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) for Trichuris trichiura, 65.5% and 3636 EPG for Ascaris lumbricoides, and 1.4% and <0.1 EPG for hookworms. Most children (90.3%) were infected with at least one of these four species, the largest proportion (34.3%) carrying two species; 27.4% carried three and 1.1% carried concurrently all four species of parasites. The average number of species harboured increased with age, as did the prevalences of S. haematobium and T. trichiura but not that of A. lumbricoides. All STH showed marked differences in prevalence between the five schools but only T. trichiura varied significantly between sexes. Mean abundance of infection varied significantly between age classes, among schools and between the sexes, with females showing heavier mean EPGs for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura and males higher mean eggs/10 ml urine for S. haematobium infections. A highly significant association was detected between A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura, that was not context-dependent. This was confirmed in quantitative analyses after controlling for differences in abundance between schools, sexes and age classes. A weaker context-dependent association (prevalence data) was detected between S. haematobium and A. lumbricoides (sex- and age-dependent) but quantitative associations between these two species, as well as between S. haematobium and T. trichiura, were not convincing.     

Prevalence of Eimeria and intestinal nematodes in wild boar in north-west Poland

In the time from September 2003 to March 2004 feacal samples of 147 wild boars from north-west Poland were examined. The prevalence and intensity of the Coccidia and gastro-intestinal nematodes infection were determined by means of Willis-Schlaaf. The species were determined basing on morphology of oocysts (shape, colour, form index, presence or absence of micropyle and its cap, presence or absence of residual, polar and Stied bodies) and time of sporulation. Sporulation was performed in wet chamber at 24-26 degrees C in a 2.5% aqueous solution of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) (Pellerdy, 1974). Oocysts from the genus Eimeria were found in 58.5% wild boars. Four coccidia species occurred in wild boars (E. deblecki, E. suis, E. perminuta, E. scabra). Gastro-intestinal nematodes were found in 83.67%. The following nematode species were found: Oesophagostomum dentatum, Metastrongylus sp., Trichuris suis and Ascaris suum.     

EUS-guided pancreatogastrostomy and pancreatobulbostomy for the treatment of pain in patients with pancreatic ductal dilatation inaccessible for transpapillary endoscopic therapy

BACKGROUND: EUS-guided pancreatogastrostomy (EPG) is described as an alternative to surgery for ductal decompression in symptomatic patients when endoscopic transpapillary access of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) is impossible. OBJECTIVE: To present the midterm clinical response and follow-up of a larger group of patients treated with EPG and a new transbulbar approach, EUS-guided pancreatobulbostomy (EPB). DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Two tertiary referral centers in Brussels and Marseille. PATIENTS: From 2000 to 2004, 36 patients (51 years old; range, 14-71 years) were seen. INTERVENTION: EPG or EPB. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Pain relief, technical aspects, complications, and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Indications were chronic pancreatitis, with complete obstruction (secondary to a tight stenosis, a stone, or MPD rupture); inaccessible papilla or impossible cannulation (n = 20); anastomotic stenosis after a Whipple procedure (n = 12); complete MPD rupture after acute pancreatitis (AP); or trauma (n = 4). EPG or EPB was unsuccessful in 3 patients; 1 was lost to follow-up. Major complications occurred in 2 patients and included 1 hematoma and 1 severe AP. The median follow-up was 14.5 months (range, 4-55 months). Pain relief was complete or partial in 25 patients (69%, intention to treat). Eight patients treated had no improvement of their symptoms (4 were subsequently diagnosed with cancer). Stent dysfunction occurred in 20 patients (55%) and required a total of 29 repeat endoscopies. LIMITATIONS: Technically demanding and requires careful pretherapeutic evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: EPG or EPB appears to be an effective and relatively safe treatment for the management of pain secondary to pancreatic ductal hypertension in patients with an MPD not accessible by a transpapillary route.     

Black grouse in Czech Republic and its parasites

According to the newest data (2010), the state of the black grouse is in decline in the Czech Republic. One of the reasons for this decline is the parasitic infection. The examination of 170 faecal specimens disclosed 6 species of parasites. Helminth eggs were found in 50 % of the examined faecal specimens. The following eggs were found: cestode Hymenolepis spp. (28 %), with the highest prevalence (84 %) and mean intensity (1076 EPG) in spring; nematodes Trichostrongylus tenuis (24 %), and Ascaridia compar (3 %) with a mean intensity of 11 and 12 EPG, respectively. Coccidia infections were present in 1 % of faecal specimens only in spring, with an intensity of 35 OPG. However, in the following year, Eimeria lyruri was the most abundant parasite in the faecal specimens. During the second year of our research, the prevalence of E. lyruri was 28 %; the highest prevalence (67 %) was in summer with an intensity of up to 9433 OPG.     

Nematode infections in Slovak children hospitalised during 2008–2009

A study involved 1800 hospitalised children (age: 9 months to 16 years) examined by ovoscopic analyses and confirmed the occurrence of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura in 46 patients (2.55 %). Of these, 30 patients had Ascaris infection, 13 were positive for both nematodes and 3 patients had Trichuris infection. The mean count of A. lumbricoides eggs in positive cases was 1050 eggs per gramme (EPG) in range 150–4450 EPG. The mean count of T. trichiura eggs was 150 EPG (50–250 EPG). The highest intensities of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections occurred in children 3–5 years of age living in poor hygienic conditions. Most common clinical conditions in all the patients included anaemia combined with complicated bronchopneumonia, colitis and gastritis. The strongest correlation between the parasite burden and selected laboratory test data (eosinophil count, haemoglobin, total serum iron) was found in children of 2 years of age (P < 0.05) and decreased with age.     

Testosterone stimulates the expression of male-typical socio-sexual and song behaviors in female budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus): An experimental study

The hormonal control of sex differences in behavior has been extensively studied, particularly in mammals and birds. Studies have shown that the activational potential of the androgenic sex steroid testosterone (T) on male-typical behaviors in females seems to be species- as well as behavior-specific in birds. It is therefore important to study the activational effects of T in a great variety of bird species and on a wide range of behaviors, preferably in social conditions that favor their expression. Here, we investigated the activational effects of T on vocal, socio-sexual (i.e. affiliative and non-vocal courtship behaviors), aggressive and approach behavior in females of the budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus, a highly social monogamous parrot species. We experimentally supplemented T-females with male-like plasma T levels compared to controls. First, we observed females when they were individually housed. We found that T-females performed male-like levels of warbling song, sang significantly longer, but not more song bouts and produced more socio-sexual behaviors than controls. Then, we consecutively confronted females with a female, a dummy, and a male conspecific. T-females showed a significantly shorter latency to interact in all three social contexts. In both intrasexual and intersexual contexts, T-females performed significantly higher levels of approach and socio-sexual behavior, including "mounting (attempts)", a strictly male behavior, which was not observed in control females. Aggression in a non-reproductive context did not appear to be sensitive to T supplementation. Our data indicate that in the budgerigar even marked sex differences in socio-sexual behavior may depend on the activational effects of T, while this is generally not the case in other species.     

福建省清流县2013年土源性线虫病现状调查

目的 了解清流县土源性线虫病的现状及分布特点,为制定防治策略与措施提供科学依据. 方法 随机抽取福建省清流县长校镇、赖坊乡、龙津镇、嵩口镇、林畲乡共5个乡（镇）为调查点,收集粪便,采用改良加藤厚涂片法（一粪三检）检测蛔虫、鞭虫、钩虫等虫卵.用Microsoft Excel 2003软件建立数据库,用SPSS19.0软件对数据进行x2分析,P＜0.05为差异有统计学意义. 结果 共调查1 000人,土源性线虫感染76人,感染率为7.60％.钩虫、鞭虫和蛔虫感染率分别为7.60％、0和0.钩虫感染者克粪虫卵数（eggs per gram feces,EPG）最多的为320,最少的为2,均为轻度感染.感染率最高的为长校镇,为14.08％ （20/142）;最低的为林畲乡,为4.59％ （10/218）.男、女感染率差异无统计学意义（χ^2=0.043,P＞0.05）.不同年龄组间、不同文化程度人群、不同职业人群感染率差异均有统计学意义（χ^2=44.680、29.223、27.672,P＜0.01）. 结论 清流县土源性线虫病人群感染情况处于较低水平,年龄偏大、文化程度低、从事农业生产的人群仍是感染土源线虫的重点人群.     

Short Report: Quantitative Evaluation of a Handheld Light Microscope for Field Diagnosis of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection

We evaluated the Newton Nm1, a commercially available handheld light microscope and compared it with conventional light microscopy for the diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminth infections. A total of 91 Kato-Katz thick smears were examined by experienced microscopists and helminth eggs were counted and expressed as eggs per gram of stool (EPG). Mean egg counts were significantly higher with the conventional light microscope (5,190 EPG versus 2,386 EPG for Ascaris lumbricoides; 826 versus 456 for Trichuris trichiura; both P < 0.05). Using regression coefficients and accounting for intensity of infection, we found that the agreement between the two devices was excellent for both species (κ = 0.90, 95% confidence interval = 0.82–0.99 for A. lumbricoides and κ = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.91–1.00 for T. trichiura). The Newton Nm1 microscope may be a useful tool for the detection and quantification of soil-transmitted helminth infection in clinical, epidemiologic, and public health settings.