Showing papers in "Journal of Helminthology in 1987"
TL;DR: Helminth prevalence patterns and species composition reflected differences in anole habitats rather than ecomorphs, and were uncorrelated with the genetic relatedness of indigenous versus introduced anole species.
Abstract: Prevalence and intensity of helminth parasites are described for a sample of 102 Jamaican anole lizards representing 6 species (Anolis lineatopus lineatopus, A I neckeri, A grahami, A valencienni, Aopalinus, A sagrei, A garmani) Fifty nine per cent of lizards were infected with 5 species of nematodes, 16% with one acanthocephalan, 7% with two digeneans, and 4% with a single cestode species Infection intensity was generally low (intensity range 1–5) although two species of nematode occurred in very large numbers (intensity range 1–436) Helminth prevalence patterns and species composition reflected differences in anole habitats rather than ecomorphs, and were uncorrelated with the genetic relatedness of indigenous versus introduced anole species
47 citations
TL;DR: Dogs, naturally infected with Dirofilaria immitis, were treated with the residues of the alcoholic extracts of the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (ginger) to reduce microfilarial concentration in blood suggesting partial destruction of adult worms.
Abstract: Dogs, naturally infected with Dirofilaria immitis, were treated with the residues of the alcoholic extracts of the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (ginger). Twelve subcutaneous injections of the extract given at 100 mg/kg reduced microfilarial concentration in blood by a maximum of 98%. Fifty five days after the last injection there was 83% reduction in microfilarial concentration suggesting partial destruction of adult worms. Half of the treated dogs showed some lethargy at the beginning of treatment possibly due to the mass annihilation of microfilariae in blood.
41 citations
TL;DR: The results reveal that the SOD activities of the four parasites presented species differences and also sexual differences within each species.
Abstract: The activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (E.C.:1.15.1.1) and catalase (E.C.:1.11.1.6) were studied in purified extracts of four nematodes: Ascaris suum, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara canis and T. cati adult males and females. No catalase activity was found in any of the extracts. The results reveal that the SOD activities of the four parasites presented species differences and also sexual differences within each species. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern analysis confirmed that the mobilities, widths and band intensities varied according to the species and sex of the parasite from which the enzyme was obtained.
38 citations
TL;DR: The results suggest that, whilst male stimulation is not necessary to initiate vitelline gland development and egg production, it appears to be essential for the complete maturation of the ovary.
Abstract: Vitelline gland development and incomplete parthenogenesis in 65-week-old female Schistosoma mansoni from single sex infections is described. Vitelline gland development was restricted to the extreme posterior end of each worm and the developed vitelline lobules showed the normal sequence of development and maturation. The ovary, however, was always in an immature state. Egg production occurred although the eggs were non-viable.The results suggest that, whilst male stimulation is not necessary to initiate vitelline gland development and egg production, it appears to be essential for the complete maturation of the ovary. The possible importance of ovarian maturation to the production of viable eggs is discussed.
34 citations
TL;DR: In field experiments, artificially prepared cow pats containing Cooperia oncophora eggs were inoculated with the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora, subject to an approximately ten-fold reduction as compared with numbers in fungus-free pats and herbage surrounding these.
Abstract: In field experiments, conducted on parasite-free grass plots in two consecutive summers, artificially prepared cow pats containing Cooperia oncophora eggs were inoculated with the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora. Numbers of infective C. oncophora larvae isolated from the pats as well as from the surrounding herbage were subject to an approximately ten-fold reduction as compared with numbers in fungus-free pats and herbage surrounding these. This reduction was undoubtedly a result of entrapment of the parasite larvae within the faecal pats.
31 citations
TL;DR: Comparisons were made between the responses of O. gutturosa and Brugia pahangi to certain drugs and these species were found to significantly differ in their sensitivities to ivermectin and a novel compound, indicating that Onchocerca parasites should be used wherever possible for compound identification and development intended for the treatment of onchocerciasis.
Abstract: An in vitro system for chemotherapeutic research using adult male Onchocerca gutturosa has been developed as a model for O. volvulus. Using a culture system consisting of medium MEM+10% heat inactivated foetal calf serum (IFCS)+LLCMK2 (monkey kidney) feeder cells in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air, we examined the effects of a range of antiparasitic drugs on worm motility. Ivermectin, levamisole, furapyrimidone, Mel W, chloroquine, metrifonate, flubendazole, amoscanate and the Ciba-Geigy compounds CGP 6140, CGP 20′376 and CGI 17658 either immobilized or significantly reduced motility levels at a concentration of 5x10−5M or less within a 7-day period. Worms were affected at very low concentrations by ivermectin (effective conc. to reduce motility levels to 50% of controls, 3.14x10−8M), levamisole (7.95x10−8M), CGP 6140 (8.87x10−9M) and CGP 20′376 (2.78x10−8M). Difficulties were experienced in accurately repeating the immotile endpoint for levamisole due to an inconsistent partial recovery of motility. Over a 7-day period diethylcarbamazine had little effect on motility levels, while suramin caused a slight increase in activity compared to controls at some timepoints. Subsequent experiments demonstrated some differences in drug efficacy depending on the presence or absence of serum and feeder cells in the culture system probably because of drug avidly binding to serum proteins. However, serum and cells were found to be essential ingredients of the culture system to maintain worms in good condition, indicating that new drugs should be evaluated both in the presence and absence of serum and cells. Comparisons were made between the responses of O. gutturosa and Brugia pahangi to certain drugs and these species were found to significantly differ in their sensitivities to ivermectin and a novel compound (Wellcome), indicating that Onchocerca parasites should be used wherever possible for compound identification and development intended for the treatment of onchocerciasis. The in vitro system described here, using male O. gutturosa, provides a basis for further research and a practical alternative to O. volvulus.
31 citations
TL;DR: Hamsters experimentally infected with Opisthorchis viverrini had significant depression of the antibody response to sheep red blood cells and this effect was abolished by anthelmintic treatment, suggesting that the immunodepressive effect is reversible and is associated with active infection.
Abstract: Hamsters experimentally infected with Opisthorchis viverrini had significant depression of the antibody response to sheep red blood cells. The depression was more severe with prolonged infections. Lymphoproliferative response to phytohaemagglutinin stimulation was also depressed when compared with uninfected controls. The immunodepression in these animals was abolished by anthelmintic treatment, suggesting that the immunodepressive effect is reversible and is associated with active infection.
30 citations
TL;DR: A sandwich ELISA method using previously described E/S antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies has been developed to detect circulating immune complexes in patients infected with Toxocara canis and could be used for the study of the dynamics of the parasite-host relationship.
Abstract: A sandwich ELISA method using previously described E/S antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies has been developed to detect circulating immune complexes in patients infected with Toxocara canis . This technique could be used for the study of the dynamics of the parasite-host relationship, as we believe the detection of immune complexes and/or soluble antigen to be an improvement over detection of antibodies only. In this parasitosis, antibodies may be present in residual levels for prolonged periods after active infection.
29 citations
TL;DR: The "miniblot technique" was developed in order to detect in hybridoma supernatants antibodies against schistosome Mr 31,000 components and identified hybridomas secreting antibody to the relevant S. mansoni antigens.
Abstract: Antibodies directed against diagnostic Mr 31,000 polypeptide(s) of adult Schistosoma mansoni were already formed in mice during prepatency In contrast, repeated immunization of mice with homogenates of adult schistosomes failed to elicit antibodies detectable in immunoblots in the Mr 31,000 region Therefore, spleen cells of infected mice were used to produce hybridoma lines The "miniblot technique" was developed in order to detect in hybridoma supernatants antibodies against schistosome Mr 31,000 components Electrophoretically separated total S mansoni proteins were transferred onto nitrocellulose, and the position of the Mr 31,000 components was determined with polyclonal antisera and immunoblotting Pieces of about 3 square mm of nitrocellulose bearing the diagnostic proteins were incubated with about 100 microliter of hybridoma supernatant in microtitre plates and subsequently probed with peroxidase-conjugated antibody to mouse IgG This screening technique identified hybridomas secreting antibody to the relevant S mansoni antigens It is applicable to other defined parasite antigens, which are, however, not available in biochemically purified form The monoclonal antibodies produced against the proteins with diagnostic potential reacted with antigens localized in the schistosome gut
27 citations
TL;DR: Five lambs were each sensitized with 400 metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica irradiated at 3 kr gamma rays and challenged together with 5 controls with 500 non-irradiated metacertariae, finding that the lambs which received the sensitizing infections had 80% less worms than the controls.
Abstract: Five lambs were each sensitized with 400 metacercariae of Fasciola gigantica irradiated at 3 kr gamma rays. Eight weeks later, they were each challenged together with 5 controls with 500 non-irradiated metacercariae. Eight weeks later, all of the animals were necropsied and the worm burdens determined. The lambs which received the sensitizing infections had 80% less worms than the controls. The sensitized lambs also showed less hepatic damage compared with the controls as indicated by lower levels of the serum enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. The blood indices showed insignificant reductions in the sensitized lambs whereas marked reductions were found in the erythrocytes, packed cell volume and haemoglobin values of the challenge controls. Bilirubinaemia was also evident in this latter group.
18 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that this response difference to the miracidial dose variation depends on genetic characters peculiar to the parasite strain and represents a new aspect of genetic variability of schistosome populations.
Abstract: Cercarial production related to miracidial dose variation with Schistosoma bovis strains from Sudan and Spain in Bulinus truncatus from Tunisia was studied. Results showed that an increase in the miracidial dose proposed to the host-mollusc (1 and 5 miracidia) gave rise to a decrease in cercarial productivity of Sudanese S. bovis and to an increase for Spanish S. bovis. It is concluded that this response difference to the miracidial dose variation depends on genetic characters peculiar to the parasite strain and represents a new aspect of genetic variability of schistosome populations.
TL;DR: The results indicate that the predilection site of adult O. lienalis is not the gastro-splenic omentum, and the mf species prevalences in the survey population were estimated as O. Lienalis 24.1% and O. gutturosa 2.2%.
Abstract: Onchocerca gutturosa and O. lienalis infections in British cattle were studied by examination of cattle post-mortem originating from North Wales and Cheshire (north west England). In 463 adult animals, the microfilarial (mf) prevalence was 28.5%. In 95.3% of the mf infected animals, gravid worms could not be found at either the ligamentum nuchae or the gastro-splenic omentum. Dermal mf at the head were identified as O. gutturosa on the basis of their highly significant association with the presence of gravid O. gutturosa at the ligamentum nuchae, which were found in only 3.2% of cattle. Mfs were isolated from different skin sites and from adult worms and a minimum of 10 mfs from each isolate were examined for width and acid phosphatase (AP) staining pattern. The width of O. gutturosa dermal mf was less than 4 micron (4 isolations), narrower than that of putative O. lienalis mf isolated from umbilical skin of cattle without evidence of O. gutturosa, which were in 20/22 isolations greater than 4 micron wide. The dermal mf were also distinguished on the basis of different AP staining patterns which, for each species, correlated closely with that of hatched intrauterine mf from their respective adult female worms. Based on the criteria of morphology and AP staining patterns the mf species prevalences in the survey population were estimated as O. lienalis 24.1% and O. gutturosa 2.2%, with a further 2.2% of cattle infected with both species. The results indicate that the predilection site of adult O. lienalis is not the gastro-splenic omentum. In North Wales, the distribution of the two species was different; O. lienalis was widely distributed in all cattle rearing areas both lowland and upland, whereas O. gutturosa was largely restricted to valleys close to major rivers.
TL;DR: It appears that mebendazole also acts to disrupt certain enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism which may ultimately cause death of the parasite.
Abstract: Mebendazole (3.3 mumol), causes in vitro glycogen depletion and inhibits glucose uptake in Avitellina lahorea. Inhibition of non-specific phosphomonoesterases and adenosine triphosphatase by mebendazole discussed in the light of the role of phosphatases in uptake mechanisms. Mebendazole has no effect on hexokinase which has broad substrate specificity but influences the activities of some glycolytic enzymes such as phosphorylase, phosphoglucomutase and glucose-6-phosphatase. Thus, it appears that mebendazole also acts to disrupt certain enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism which may ultimately cause death of the parasite.
TL;DR: The cercariae of Schistosoma haematobium showed a diurnal periodicity of emergence from Bulinus globosus in a twelve hour light/dark cycle, suggesting that the cercarie of S. haem atobium are showing emergence in response to shadows.
Abstract: The cercariae of Schistosoma haematobium showed a diurnal periodicity of emergence from Bulinus globosus in a twelve hour light/dark cycle. Peak emission occurred at 11.00 hrs with a smaller peak at 20.00 hrs, following the start of the period of darkness. In continuous illumination this second peak was not seen, indicating that only the morning peak is circadian in origin. The evening peak occurs in response to dark treatment and can be produced by periods of darkness ranging from eight seconds to one hour. The longer the period of dark treatment the longer the rise in output is maintained on return to light conditions. Subjection of snails to periods of dark treatment during the normal light period caused a reduction in the evening peak with the largest effect seen following the longest period of darkness. An increased output of cercariae was seen following fifteen minutes exposure to a range of light intensities, the largest increase occurring at 10,000 and 7000 lux and complete darkness. The rapidity of this reaction to variations in light intensity suggests that the cercariae of S. haematobium are showing emergence in response to shadows.
TL;DR: Results show that protective immunity to larvae of B. pahangi in mice depends upon small numbers of Thy 1.2+ T cells which are CsA-resistant.
Abstract: Mechanisms of protective immunity to larvae of Brugia pahangi were studied in congenitally athymic nude C3H/HeN mice and their syngeneic heterozygous littermates. An average 11% of subcutaneous larval inocula was recovered from control nudes 28 days after inoculation. No worms were recovered from nude recipients of viable splenic Thy 1.2+ T lymphocytes from heterozygotes which had killed a priming dose of B. pahangi larvae. Primed T lymphocytes, depleted of either Lyt 1.1+ or Lyt 2.1+ cells or incubated with anti-Thy 1.2 monoclonal antibody and complement, failed to protect nude mice against a larval challenge. Nor were primed B lymphocytes depleted by Thy 1.2+ T cell contaminants protective. Treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA) did not increase the numbers of worms recovered from heterozygotes nor did CsA treatment of heterozygous cell donors abolish the ability of primed Thy 1.2+ T lymphocytes to transfer protection to nude mice. IgG but not IgM antibody titres to B. pahangi antigens were depressed in all CsA-treated mice. CsA treatment of nude mice had no direct effect upon development of B. pahangi larvae. These results show that protective immunity to larvae of B. pahangi in mice depends upon small numbers of Thy 1.2+ T cells which are CsA-resistant.
TL;DR: Chromosomes of Nigerian Onchocerca volvulus were compared with those of Guatemalan O. volVulus and it was not possible to infer the position of the centromeres.
Abstract: Chromosomes of Nigerian Onchocerca volvulus were compared with those of Guatemalan O. volvulus . Both parasites had basically the same chromosomal construct (2n=8, XY type). Autosomes consisted of a pair of large and two smaller pairs. Sex chromosomes were made up of medium sized X chromosome and very small Y chromosome. It was not possible to infer the position of the centromeres.
TL;DR: The shedding patterns of experimentally infected foxes showed that destrobilation occurs frequently and that there are long periods during which no gravid proglottids are shed at all.
Abstract: The implications of the confused taxonomy of the genus Mesocestoides and the misuse of the name M. lineatus are described. In Southwest Germany rodents are intermediate hosts and red foxes are definitive hosts of M. leptothylacus. The shedding patterns of experimentally infected foxes showed that destrobilation occurs frequently and that there are long periods during which no gravid proglottids are shed at all. Lengths of worms can be taken as a measure of a possible crowding effect only when worms with gravid segments are present, i.e. at the end of the prepatent period (11 to 13 days) or at the beginning of a shedding period.
TL;DR: It is strongly suggested that the unnatural rat host has thymus-independent cortisone sensitive resistance to an initial infection and thymUS-dependent resistance to the ongoing infection, which suppresses the established worms' fecundity.
Abstract: The innate resistance of the unnatural rat host to the mouse tapeworm Hymenolepis nana is cortisone sensitive but thymus independent. When congenitally athymic nude rats were orally given eggs, cysticercoids, or adult worms of H. nana , no lumenal adults were established except when they were treated with cortisone acetate during the expected lumenal development. The effect of cortisone to promote adult maturation in the rats was compared in nude and normal rats given eggs of H. nana . The fecundity of the worm (assessed by the fresh worm biomass and the number of infective eggs produced) was much higher in cortisone-treated nude rats than in cotrisone-trated norml rats. When the nude rats recostituted with thymocytes were given eggs and treated with cortisone, the fecundity of H. nana dropped to the same level as in cortisone-treated normal rats. It is strongly suggested that the unnatural rat host has thymus-independent cortisone sensitive resistance to an intial infection (which is the main component of the innate resistance and blocks the lumenal establishment of this parasite) and thymus-dependent resistance (which suppresses the established worm' fecudity and may be ascribed to acquired resistance to the ongoing infection).
TL;DR: The parasite changed its surface antigens throughout its differentiation and maturation, and all developmental stages were recognized by the infected mouse host, however, there appeared no further changes in surfaceAntigens during aging after maturation.
Abstract: The surface antigens of oncosphere, cysticercoid, adult scolex and adult strobila (other than scolex) of Hymenolepis nana differ critically from one another. When the oncosphere of H. nana undergoes differentiation and development into the mature tapeworm, the infected mouse first produces anti-oncosphere antibody, followed by anti-cysticercoid, anti-adult scolex and finally anti-strobila (other than scolex region) antibodies of IgG, IgM and IgA isotypes as detected by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. The parasite changed its surface antigens throughout its differentiation and maturation, and all developmental stages were recognized by the infected mouse host. However, there appeared no further changes in surface antigens during aging after maturation. The antibody responses were always delayed compared with the differentiation and maturation of the parasite.
TL;DR: The gerbils infected with the drug-susceptible strain of the parasite showed lower survival rates, reduced body weights, higher parasite egg output and higher worm burdens than animals infected with a drug-resistant strain of parasite.
Abstract: Mongolian gerbils were infected with either a benzimidazole-susceptible or a benzimidazole-resistant strain of Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae. The comparative pathogensis of both strains of T. colubriformis was investigated for 50 days post-infection. The gerbils infected with the drug-susceptible strain of the parasite showed lower survival rates, reduced body weights, higher parasite egg output and higher worm burdens than animals intected with the drug-resistant stram of parasite. There was also evidence of an enhanced hypoalbuminaemia and a more marked gastrointestinal plasma leak in the gerbils infected with the drug-susceptible strain of patasite. Scanning electron microscope examination of the small intestine showed signs of villus atriphy in both groups of ingected grebils.
TL;DR: The efficacy of the various derivatives was independent of their immunosuppressive activity in vivo and in vitro, their anti-inflammatory activity and their activity against Plasmodium berghei.
Abstract: Litomosoides carinii-infected Mastomys natalensis were treated 85 days post infection with cyclosporin A (CyA) or 8 derivatives with different immunosuppressive capacities CyA (oral doses of 5 X 25 mg/kg, 5 X 50 mg/kg, 5 X 80 mg/kg on consecutive days) reduced parasitaemia levels in a dose dependent way, beginning 3 weeks after first drug administration Using 5 X 50 and 5 X 80 mg/kg animals were free from circulating microfilariae on the day of necropsy (day 56) Derivatives were administered in 5 daily oral doses of 50 mg/kg Compounds B-5-49 and G-7-53 had similar effects as CyA Compounds A-4-16 and E-6-44 caused mean microfilaraemia reductions of about 80% until day 56 Compounds C-5-34, D-6-45, F-7-62 and H-7-94 were only marginally effective (10-40%) None of the drugs affected the number or the motility of adult worms However, in the case of efficacious compounds the number of intrauterine microfilariae was considerably reduced and most of the intrauterine stages were pathologically altered The efficacy of the various derivatives was independent of their immunosuppressive activity in vivo and in vitro, their anti-inflammatory activity and their activity against Plasmodium berghei Effects on intrauterine stages were first detectable 7 days after treatment with 5 X 80 mg CyA/kg when the number of intrauterine microfilariae had decreased and the proportion of pathologically altered stages had increased Alterations increased with time after treatment Additionally, the uteri contained relatively large amounts of highly active microfilariae which were still included in an ovoid sheath(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TL;DR: A survey of Angiostrongylus cantonensis was carried out to investigate the mode of transmission from mollusc to rat in a fixed study area of Yoron Island from 1979 to 1982, and it was concluded that molluscs which were infected with a small number of third-stage larvae of A. Cantonensis play an important role in maintaining the life cycle of the species.
Abstract: A survey of Angiostrongylus cantonensis was carried out to investigate the mode of transmission from mollusc to rat in a fixed study area of Yoron Island from 1979 to 1982. Rattus rattus was found to be infected with a small number of worms in spite of heavy infection with third-stage larvae in Achatina fulica and an abundance of this snail in the area. Natural infection and/or susceptibility with A. cantonensis were confirmed in three small snail species. Bradybaena circulus, Fruticicola despecta and Luchuena reticulata. Young A. fulica was found to be infected with fewer third-stage larvae than mature A. fulica. It was concluded that molluscs which were infected with a small number of third-stage larvae of A. cantonensis play an important role in maintaining the life cycle of A. cantonensis. The percentage of rat stomachs containing mollusc tissue was relatively low, and the incidence and infection was low in rats. Infection with A. cantonensis did not occur very often in R. rattus in nature.
TL;DR: Infections of the common limpet, Patella vulgata were investigated along the coast of the Ards Peninsula, Co. Down as discussed by the authors, and the presence of larval digeneans was associated with progressive deterioration of host gonadal tissue and discolouration of the foot, mantle and digestive gland.
Abstract: Infections of the common limpet, Patella vulgata were investigated along the coast of the Ards Peninsula, Co. Down. Samples were taken from around Portavogie, a small fishing port where seabirds aggregate to feed on fish offal, and from 14 sites along a 15 km transect. A new method of removing larval digeneans from the visceral hump of snails is described. The bulk of the parasite material was rediae of Cercaria patellae. The stage of development of these rediae varied significantly between hosts. Prevalence of infection was substantially greater close to Portavogie. The volume of parasite material recovered was greater for limpets close to rock pools than for those on rocks free from surface water at low tide. Among the latter limpets, the volume of parasite material in the visceral hump increased with increasing height on the shore. The greater part of the variation in parasite volume recovered from snails was determined by the size of the snail. The presence of larval digeneans was associated with progressive deterioration of host gonadal tissue and discolouration of the foot, mantle and digestive gland.
TL;DR: Results of an epidemiological survey carried out in 88 slaughterhouses in Italy from 1979 to 1983 are reported, compared to national surveys previously conducted in 1955 and from 1968 to 1978.
Abstract: Results of an epidemiological survey carried out in 88 slaughterhouses in Italy from 1979 to 1983 are reported. Data have been compared to national surveys previously conducted in 1955 and from 1968 to 1978. Analysis of various factors affecting the incidence of the disease in different areas of the country are reported.
TL;DR: Eggs from faecal pellets in the rectum showed higher infectivity than those from gravid proglottids and as high infectivity as those from Gravid progLottids selected by a watch-glass rotation technique.
Abstract: The infectivity of Hymenolepis nana eggs from faecal pellets in the rectum of mice was compared with that of the eggs in gravid proglottids of adult H. nana and with that of the eggs in excreted faecal pellets to find out a simple method for collecting H. nana eggs of high infectivity to mice. Eggs from faecal pellets in the rectum showed higher infectivity than those from gravid proglottids and as high infectivity as those from gravid proglottids selected by a watch-glass rotation technique. Eggs in faecal pellets in the rectum did not lose infectivity until 4 h after they were excreted and exposed to the air at room temperature (27–28°C) with relative humidity of 35–40%. However, the eggs lost infectivity significantly 17 h after excretion onwards.
TL;DR: It was observed that the Garkavi isolate of Trichinella pseudospiralis was clearly different from the other isolates, and it showed the simplest IEF/SDS polypeptide pattern.
Abstract: The two-dimensional patterns (isoelectrofocusing-IEF/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate-SDS) of S3 fractions of muscle larvae of four Trichinella isolates were compared. The comparative study concerned six groups of polypeptides. It was observed that the Garkavi isolate of Trichinella pseudospiralis was clearly different from the other isolates, and it showed the simplest IEF/SDS polypeptide pattern. The C-76 isolate of T. nelsoni had only four of the six groups, distinguishing it from the GM-1 isolate of T. spiralis and the Boev isolate of T. nativa that showed all the indicated groups.
TL;DR: A sixth stage, post-maturation stage, is suggested in addition to the 5 developmental stages of Philophthalmus, which was studied experimentally by inoculating 10 excysted metacercariae around the right eye of 47 day-old chicks.
Abstract: The growth of Philophthalmus gralli from Jordan was studied experimentally by inoculating 10 excysted metacercariae around the right eye of 47 day-old chicks. The growth rate was slow in the first three days during which flukes did not exceed 0.30 mm long. Then growth became rapid reaching 2.70 mm long on day 24. This was followed by a low growth rate during which the flukes grew from 2.70 mm to 2.90 mm on day 40. The flukes started to appear in the left eye on day 12 post-inoculation of metacercariae in the right eye. The recovery of flukes in the left eye increased from 5% on day 12 to 30% on day 32. The development of P. gralli from Jordan was the same as of other species of Philophthalmus. However, a sixth stage, post-maturation stage, is suggested in addition to the 5 developmental stages of Philophthalmus. The ratio of the transverse diameter of the ovary to that of testes in the post-maturation stage was 1:1.1-1:1.2.
TL;DR: The results presented, together with the available data on necropsies of dogs and cats, human infections and the biotope preference of the snail, suggest that Greece is an important focus of infection in Europe.
Abstract: Heterophyes heterophyes is reported for the first time from the snail host Pirenella conica in Greece H aequalis and H dispar are reported for the first time from Greece and from Europe The results presented, together with the available data on necropsies of dogs and cats, human infections and the biotope preference of the snail, suggest that Greece is an important focus of infection in Europe
TL;DR: There was no marked difference between primary and secondary infections indicating that immunoglobulin-containing cells play no major role in functional immunity against hymenolepid infections in the mouse.
Abstract: The indirect immunofluorescent technique was used to determine the occurrence of IgA, IgM and IgG1 immunoglobulin-containing cells in local intestinal mucosal immune responses to Hymenolepis citelli, H. diminuta and H. microstoma infections in mice. In the intestinal lamina propria of H. citelli and H. diminuta infected mice there was no increase in the mean numbers of immunoglobulin-containing cells when compared with uninfected control mice, but there was in H. microstoma infected mice. The numbers of IgG1- positive cells in both infected and uninfected mice were very small relative to IgA and IgM immunocytes. The distribution of immunocytes in the lamina propria of infected and uninfected mice was essentially similar and the localization of isotypes in duodenal sections showed no immunoglobulins in the villous epithelial cells. There was also no marked difference between primary and secondary infections indicating that immunoglobulin-containing cells play no major role in functional immunity against hymenolepid infections in the mouse. The presence of IgA and IgM was also demonstrated on the tegument of the tapeworms, although the distribution was patchy and more abundant on H. microstoma than on H. diminuta or H. citelli. The time of appearance of both isotypes was latest on H. citelli.
TL;DR: Gastrothylax crumenifer haemoglobin was isolated, purified, chromatographed, and its molecular weight determined on a calibrated Sephadex G–100 column as well as by sodium dodecyl sulphate by the former and by the latter method.
Abstract: Gastrothylax crumenifer haemoglobin was isolated, purified, chromatographed, and its molecular weight determined on a calibrated Sephadex G–100 column as well as by sodium dodecyl sulphate by the former and 16 500 by the latter method. The oxygen affinity of the pigment (P50O2) was found to be 6·1 mm Hg at pH 7·4.