Temporal dynamics of soil nematode community structure under invasive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ambrosia trifida</Emphasis> and native <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chenopodium serotinum</Emphasis>

Summary Temporal dynamics of soil nematode community structure at the depth of 0 — 30 cm was compared under invasive Ambrosia trifida and native Chenopodium serotinum in an abandoned cropland in Northeast China. The results showed the difference of nematode taxa and dominant genera under A. trifida and C. serotinum during the study period. Acrobeloides and Paratylenchus were found to be dominant genera under both A. trifida and C. serotinum. Helicotylenchus prevailed in soil with C. serotinum, while Macroposthonia was dominant in soil with A. trifida. Nematode taxa was higher under A. trifida than under C. serotinum from June to September. Except in the July, significantly higher numbers of plant-parasites were observed under A. trifida than under C. serotinum during the study period (P < 0.05). Nematode taxa, Simpson index and structure index were found to be sensitive indicators that detected nematode community structural differences under A. trifida and C. serotinum during the study period.     

First evidence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paraheligmonina gracilis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hymenolepis sulcata</Emphasis> among fat dormice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Glis glis</Emphasis> L.) from Croatia

Summary The present study reports for the first time on the helminth species occurring in the gastro-intestinal system of fat dormice (Glis glis) in Croatia. Out of 55 dormice, 63.7 % harboured helminths belonging to two species, the nematode Paraheligmonina gracilis (syn. Longistriata elpatievskii) (Heligmonellidae, Trichostrogyloidea) in the prevalence of 52.7 %, and the cestode Hymenolepis sulcata (Hymenolepididae, Cyclophyllidea) in the prevalence of 32.7 %. Concurrent infections of both parasites were found in 12 fat dormice, P. gracilis alone was detected in 17 hosts and H. sulcata alone in 6 samples. No influence of parasitic infestation on animal weight was observed. Glirid helminths do not represent zoonotic pathogens despite the fact that dormice occasionally inhabit cottages and village houses, and are used in human nutrition.     

Effects of land use history and inoculation with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium oxysporum</Emphasis> f. sp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">cucumberinum</Emphasis> Owen on soil nematodes communities

Summary  A pot culture experiment was carried out to study the effects of land use history and inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumberinum Owen (Foc) on soil nematodes communities during the cucumber growing season in 2007. The results showed that land use history and inoculation had significant effects on the abundance and diversity of soil nematodes. Bacterivores were found to be the most dominant group in this study. Irrespective of inoculation, numbers of fungivores, plant-parasites and values of trophic diversity index (TD) and plant-parasites index (PPI) were greater in greenhouse soils (GH) than in open field vegetable soils (OF) during the growth period of cucumber. While, the number of omnivores-predators and values of richness (SR) and maturity index (MI) presented an opposite trend. Foc inoculation had noticeable effects on numbers of plant-parasites and some taxa, such as Helicotylenchus, Epidorlaimus at flowering stage and Aphelenchus, Tobrilus at fruiting stage. Besides, inoculation significantly affected values of PPI at flowering stage and TD at fruiting stage, respectively. The faunal analysis showed that soil food web in GH was highly disturbed and in OF was degraded.     

First record of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paratrophurus hungaricus</Emphasis> Andrássy, 1973 (Tylenchida,Telotylenchidae) from Slovakia

In soil of floodplain forests along the Danube and Moravia Rivers a rare nematode species Paratrophurus hungaricus Andrássy, 1973 was recorded for the first time from the territory of Slovakia. Presented here are some notes on morphology and ecology of the species observed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphanocladium album</Emphasis> by via sub-irrigation in the control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrenochaeta lycopersici</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne incognita</Emphasis> on tomato in a plastic-house

Summary  Two experiments were carried out to assess the efficacy of different chemicals (azoxystrobin, fosthiazate, metham-sodium) and of the chitinolytic fungus Aphanocladium album (isolate MX-95), that could be alternatives to methyl bromide, against the soil borne pathogen Pyrenochaeta lycopersici and the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on tomato in a plastic house in southern Italy. In the first trial, the treatments were azoxystrobin (1.25 l a.i. /ha), fosthiazate (1.5 l a.i. /ha) and biological control agent Aphanocladium album isolate MX-95 (2.5 l/plot at 2×10⁷ CFU/ml; plot surface 96 m²). In the second experiment, treatments were metham-sodium (1000 l c.p./ha) and A. album (5 l/plot at 1×10⁷ CFU/ml). In both trials, chemicals and the fungus were applied by via sub-irrigation. Satisfactory control of the corky root and the root-knot nematode attack and a significant yield increase were obtained by application of azoxystrobin, fosthiazate and metham-sodium. A significant reduction of M. incognita soil population density occurred in plots treated with A. album. Also, high positive correlations were found between the symptoms caused on tomato roots by M. incognita and P. lycopersici.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus multilocularis</Emphasis> is a frequent parasite of red foxes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis>) in Latvia

Summary  45 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from various regions of Latvia were examined by necropsy between 2003 and 2008 for the presence and infection intensity of Echinococcus multilocularis. The overall prevalence was 35.6 %, with the intensity of infection ranging from 1 to 1438. Although a limited number of foxes were examined, the prevalence was high and infected animals were found throughout the country. Considering the increasing number of humans infected with echinococcosis in Latvia since 2002, the situation is highly suggestive of a recent emergence of E. multilocularis. DNA sequences of four fox isolates were examined by multilocus analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear genes (cox1, nad1, rrnS, atp6, actII). All isolates were allocated to the predominant genetic form in Europe, with partial affinity of one isolate to a genotype that had previously been reported from southern Germany.     

Metacercariae of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Centrocestus formosanus</Emphasis> in goldfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius auratus</Emphasis> L.) imported into Croatia

Summary The presence of metacercariae of Centrocestus formosanus was detected on the gills of goldfish (Carassius auratus L.) imported from Singapore and obtained from two pet shops. This is the first report of the parasite in Croatia. The histopathological changes observed lead to the conclusion that the infection could be one of the reasons for the death of goldfish.     

Fox tapeworm (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus multilocularis</Emphasis>) in Slovakia — summarizing the long-term monitoring

Detailed epidemiological survey on distribution of fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis was carried out in the territory of Slovakia between 2000 and 2010. A total of 4 761 red foxes from all districts of Slovakia were investigated using modified sedimentation and counting method. E. multilocularis was found in small intestines of 1 441 animals that represent an overall prevalence of 30.3 %. The number of tapeworms found in individual foxes varied between 1 and 245 000 specimens with mean worm burden of 1 777. The results of decennial epizootological research confirmed the existence of highly endemic localities with E. multilocularis occurrence in northern regions of Slovakia. Till today, 16 human cases of alveolar echinococcosis were registered whereas 14 of them were diagnosed in patients living in endemic localities.     

Occurence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus multilocularis</Emphasis> in red foxes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vulpes vulpes</Emphasis>) in southern Poland

Summary The prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in 214 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in the southern part of Poland (Małopolskie voivodship) was evaluated post mortem in 2005. Infected foxes were found in 8 districts within 17 examined, with the prevalence from 10.0 % to 63.9 % (a mean 20.1 % in the whole study area). The highest prevalence (41.2 % and 63.9 %) was revealed in two districts, in the south and the east of the province, respectively. The high prevalence of E. multilocularis in red foxes in the region previously recognised as that of low parasite endemicity provides evidence for the need of regular screening of the current epidemiological situation in foxes as well as the monitoring of humans from risk groups for early recognition of possible AE cases.     

Study of the 49 kDa excretory-secretory protein gene of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichinella nativa</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichinella spiralis</Emphasis>

Summary To study the function of the 49 kDa excretory-secretory (ES) protein gene (P49) of Trichinella, the genes was amplified by RT-PCR from RNA of Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella nativa and several Chinese Trichinella isolates of domestic animals, and sequenced after being cloned. The amplified products of these parasites produced bands of about 950 bp. The 97.2 % to 100 % nucleotides identity and 94.3 % to 100 % identity of deduced amino acids among P49 gene of these Trichinella strains showed the close relationship of these parasites. The P49 gene of T. nativa was cloned into the BamHI site of the prokaryotic expression vector pET-30a, and the recombinant vector was expressed. The expressed product was 40.8 kDa in size. In Western blot analysis, the expressed product was reactive to sera of mice infected with T. nativa, T. spiralis and their Chinese geographical strains.     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus granulosus</Emphasis> coproantigens in dogs from Antakya Province,Turkey

Summary  Seventy-nine owned dogs (47 males and 32 females) from Antakya province were examined for E. granulosus by coproantigen ELISA (CHEKIT?-ECHINOTEST) between April to July in 2006. The estimated prevalence of E. granulosus infection was 8.86 % (7/79). Mean age of the dogs with E. granulosus was 2.3 years ranging from one to five years. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the prevalence between male and female dogs. A significant difference was detected between unrestrained (or free roaming) and indoor or chained dogs (p < 0.05). Although the prevalence of the E. granulosus infection in owned dogs in Antakya province is low, the incidence was quite high in the unrestrained and undewormed dogs. Therefore a preventive control programme in the dogs should be initiated in this region.     

Occurrence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xiphinema</Emphasis> species in grapevine areas of Tyrnavos with comments on the distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">X. italiae</Emphasis> in Greece

Summary A survey for presence of Xiphinema species was undertaken in the viticulture areas of Tyrnavos, Thessally, Greece. Soil samples were collected from existing vineyards and from fields where grapevines had been uprooted and were currently under fallow or a cereal crop. The species X. index, X. italiae and X. pachtaicum were present in 37% of the samples with a prevalence of the last two species in uprooted fields. The occurrence of X. italiae in association with light sandy soils is discussed and compared with similar findings from other Greek grapevine areas.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> duodenal ulcer promoting gene, <Emphasis Type="Italic">dupA</Emphasis>in China

Background  

The prevalence of H. pylori is as high as 60–70% in Chinese population. Although duodenal ulcer and gastric cancer are both caused by H. pylori, they are at opposite ends of the spectrum and as such are considered mutually exclusive. Duodenal ulcer promoting (dupA) gene was reported to be associated with duodenal ulcer development. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dupA gene of Helicobacter pylori in patients with various gastroduodenal diseases and to explore the association between the gene and other virulence factors.     

The effect of soil compost treatments on potato cyst nematodes <Emphasis Type="Italic">Globodera rostochiensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Globodera pallida</Emphasis>

A pot experiment on potato was carried out to verify the nematicidal effect of four composts of different origin (C1: 70 % horse manure + 15 % sugar beet pomace + 5 % poultry manure + 10% grape pomace; C2: 100 % pig manure decomposed by juveniles of Musca domestica; C3: 100 % vermicompost from medical plants wastes; C4: 100% vermicompost from cattle manure) on the potato cyst nematodes G. rostochiensis (Ro1) and G. pallida (Pa2 and Pa3). Composts at different rates (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 % w/w) were mixed with the nematode infested soils. Pots with unamended soils were used as control. Pots (4 l) were arranged in a glasshouse according to a randomized block design with four replications per each treatment. A significant reduction in number of cysts, eggs and juveniles/cyst and eggs and juveniles/g soil was observed in each compost in comparison to unamended soil. The suppressive nematode effect increased according to the compost NH₄⁺ content and compost rate.     

Note on morphology of two nematode species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascaridia hermaphrodita</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascaridia platyceri</Emphasis> (Nematoda): scanning electron microscope study

Summary  Morphological features of adult specimens of Ascaridia hermaphrodita and A. platyceri (Nematoda: Ascaridida), parasitizing parrots (Psittaciformes), were studied for the first time using scanning electron microscopy. The morphology of A. hermaphrodita, the type species of Ascaridia, coincides fully with the generic diagnosis. The shape of the labial inner structure (two spoon-like projections), cervical alae and spicule with cuticular wings were typical for this species. A. hermaphrodita has been found in the Czech Republic for the first time in a new host, Amazona pretrei, from Brazil. The morphology of Ascaridia platyceri does not correspond with the generic diagnosis in all aspects, as some variation was found, mainly in the presence of interlabia, small teeth in the inner ribbon of the lips and long lateral alae. These morphological characteristics in other species of Ascaridia are discussed. The generic diagnosis is to include the statement “interlabia very rarely present”.     

New data on an exotic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nippotaenia mogurndae</Emphasis> (Cestoda), newly introduced to Europe

Summary  Data on prevalence and current distribution of the cestode Nippotaenia mogurndae Yamaguti and Miyata, 1940 (Nippotaeniidea) in Slovakia, are provided. A total of 163 fish from 8 localities of different types in the Tisa River basin were infected with N. mogurndae. The mean intensity of infection was 1.8 with a maximum of 5 tapeworms. The expansion of the distribution of the cestode corresponds well with the spreading of its host, the invasive fish Amur sleeper Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877. The Spearmann correlation coefficient was used to test the relationship between the intensity of infection and standard length of the fish (r = 0.36; n = 163; P < 0.05), condition coefficient of the fish (r = 0.22; n = 115; P < 0.05) and season (r = −0.37; n = 355; P < 0.05). A significant correlation was confirmed for each pair of variables. There is a statistically significant difference between the prevalence of the cestode in two functional size groups (t = 3.28; n = 163; P < 0.05). The prevalence of the cestode increased with the standard length of fish. The potential risk of further expansion of N. mogurndae to other countries is discussed.     

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.     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxocara canis</Emphasis> larvae by PCR in the liver of experimentally infected Mongolian gerbils (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Meriones unguiculatus</Emphasis>)

Summary  Toxocariasis is a common human zoonosis, which induces a clinically unapparent course of infection. Diagnosis is difficult and relies upon serological testing (searching of specific IgG antibodies by ELISA), laboratory abnormalities and clinical manifestations. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was adapted for the detection of Toxocara canis larvae in a host tissue. Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were used as an animal model for human toxocariasis. 8 animals were inoculated with 1000 T. canis eggs, four uninfected were used as control. At 3, 5, 7, and 14 days post-infection, 2 infected and 1 control gerbil were killed and their livers were used for molecular analysis. Specific primer in the PCR reaction allowed identification of T. canis larvae, with the parasite gDNA found in the liver of all infected gerbils. The results indicate that the PCR method has a potential as a supporting technique for the diagnosis of human toxocariasis.     

Occurrence of the root-knot nematode <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne arenaria</Emphasis> on balm and in a mixed population with <Emphasis Type="Italic">M. javanica</Emphasis> on grapevine in Greece

Summary The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne arenaria was found in Greece infecting balm (Melissa officinalis L.) and grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). The isolate from balm was M. arenaria while the one from grapevine was a mixture of M. arenaria and M. javanica (prevalent species). This is the first report of the M. arenaria species in the country in which identification was based on biochemical methods and its occurrence on balm is a new host record.