Showing papers in "Parasite in 2006"
TL;DR: Preliminary data for reconstruction of a possible co-evolutionary scenario between cetacean hosts and their Anisakis endoparasites suggests that cospeciation and host-switching events may have accompanied the evolution of this group of parasites.
Abstract: Advances in the taxonomy and ecological aspects concerning geographical distribution and hosts of the so far genetically recognised nine taxa of the nematodes belonging to genus Anisakis (i.e. A. pegreffii, A. simplex s.s., A. simplex C, A. typica, A. ziphidarum, Anisakis sp., A. physeteris, A. brevispiculata and A. paggiae) are here summarized. Genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationships inferred from allozyme (20 enzyme-loci) and mitochondrial (sequences of cox-2 gene) markers, are revised and compared. The two genetic analyses are congruent in depicting their phylogenetic relationships. Two main clusters are showed to exist in the obtained trees, one encompassing the species A. pegreffii, A. simplex s.s., A. simplex C, A. typica, A. ziphidarum and Anisakis sp.; while, the second including A. physeteris, A. brevispiculata and A. paggiae. The existence of two clades is also supported by their morphological differentiation in adult and larval morphology. Comparison of phylogenetic relationships among Anisakis spp. with those currently available for their cetacean definitive hosts suggests parallelism between host and parasite phylogenetic tree topologies. Preliminary data for reconstruction of a possible co-evolutionary scenario between cetacean hosts and their Anisakis endoparasites suggests that cospeciation and host-switching events may have accompanied the evolution of this group of parasites. Finally, genetic/molecular markers for the identification of the so far genetically recognized taxa of Anisakis at any life-stage and both sexes were given also in relation to human anisakiosis is discussed.
202 citations
TL;DR: The dominance of subgenus Larroussius species in northern foci, Phlebotomus papatasi in south-western foci and their co-dominance in the centre of the country is in accordance with the distribution of Leishmania infantum and L. major in Tunisia.
Abstract: In order to identify the phlebotomine sandfly populations in Tunisian leishmaniosis foci, an entomological survey was carried out through three entomological seasons (2002-2003-2004) in 19 visceral and cutaneous leishmaniosis areas, located in six bioclimatic zones. Sandfly collections were based on light and sticky traps placed around human leishmaniosis cases. 8,722 phlebotomine sandflies belonging to 12 species were collected. The dominance of subgenus Larroussius species in northern foci, Phlebotomus papatasi in south-western foci and their co-dominance in the centre of the country is in accordance with the distribution of Leishmania infantum and L. major in Tunisia. The low density found in the historical zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniosis focus of Metlaoui in the south-west may indicate the high competence of the local populations. Studied phlebotomine settlements have showed a low specific diversity in most of the studied sites. In L. infantum areas, the dominant species were respectively: P. perfiliewi in the cutaneous leishmaniosis site of the humid bioclimatic stage, P. perniciosus in the cutaneous and visceral leishmaniosis foci of semi-arid and arid bioclimatic stages and P. longicuspis in the visceral leishmaniosis focus of saharan bioclimate. In the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniosis foci, P. papatasi was a dominant species. In the well-known south-eastern foci of cutaneous leishmaniosis due to L. killicki, P. sergenti was a dominant species with P. perniciosus. In the central emerging foci of L. killicki, P. perniciosus was a dominant species in some sites whereas it was very rare in others. In these sites, the subgenus Paraphlebotomus was always present with a higher abundance of P. alexandri than P. sergenti.
69 citations
TL;DR: The parasite was found throughout the period studied and its prevalence was unaffected by host size, season or water properties.
Abstract: Les caracteristiques de Myxobolus cuneus n. sp. et ses relations avec l'hote Piaractus mesopotamicus sont decrites d'apres les donnees histologiques obtenues en microscopie photonique et en microscopie electronique, Les plasmodes polyspores dont les dimensions varient de 20 μm a 2,1 mm, ont ete detectes chez 63,3 % des poissons examines. Le parasite a ete trouve dans la vesicule biliaire, la vessie urinaire, les branchies, la rate, les nageoires, la surface de la tete, le foie et le coeur. Les cellules generatives et les pansporoblastes disporoblastiques sont produits en peripherie des plasmodes, les spores matures etant presentes a l'interieur. Ces spores etaient piriformes en vue frontale, avec une longueur totale de 10 ± 6 μm et une largeur de 5,1 ±0,3 μm (moyenne ± SD). La paroi sporale etait lisse avec repli sutural. Les capsules polaires etaient oblongues, piriformes, de memes dimensions (longueur 5,7 ± 0,3 μm; largeur 1,7 ± 0,2 μm) et etroitement apposees a leur partie anterieure. Les filaments polaires etaient etroitement enroules en huit a neuf tours de spire perpendiculaires a l'axe de la capsule, les plasmodes ont toujours ete trouves dans le tissu conjonctif (paroi des arterioles des feuillets branchiaux, capsule sereuse de la vesicule biliaire, tissus conjonctif intermediaire et sous epithelial de la vessie urinaire, tissu conjonctif entre les rayons des nageoires, tissus sous cutane de la tete et capsule fibreuse de la rate). Le parasite causait des dommages importants au niveau des branchies ou son developpement s'effectuait dans la paroi des arterioles du feuillet branchial; un leger infiltrat macrophagique etait egalement observe. Aux stades de developpement plus tardifs, les plasmodes deformaient la structure arteriolaire dont elles reduisaient la lumiere et dans certains cas l'obstruaient. Le parasite a ete retrouve tout au long de la periode etudiee et sa prevalence ne fut affectee ni par la taille de l'hote, ni par l'environnement (saison, proprietes de l'eau}.
49 citations
TL;DR: The seasonal changes and the daily activity of Stomoxyine species (Diptera: Muscidae) were examined, using Vavoua traps, in a dairy and a beef cattle farm in Nakhonpathom province, Thailand during July 2004 to June 2005.
Abstract: Une enquete sur l'activite saisonniere et journaliere d'especes du genre Stomoxys (Diptera : Muscidae) a ete realisee a l'aide de pieges Vavoua dans deux fermes d'elevage bovin, l'une laitiere l'autre bouchere, en Thailande de juillet 2004 a juin 2005. Pendant la periode de l'enquete, Stomoxys calcitrans a ete l'espece la plus abondante, suivie par S. sitiens et S. indica. Pour cette derniere espece, c'est la premiere fois que sa presence est signalee en Thailande. Au total, 80 % des mouches ont ete capturees pendant la saison des pluies de mai a octobre et 20 % pendant la saison seche de novembre a avril. Nous n'avons pas observe de difference importante de densite de stomoxes entre les fermes laitiere et bouchere. Le cycle d'activite de S. calcitrans etait diurne avec un pic principal entre 8 h 00 et 10 h 00 et un autre, moins marque, dans l'apres-midi. Le cycle de S. sitiens et S. indica etait essentiellement crepusculaire avec deux pics, l'un tres tot a 6 h 00 et l'autre en fin d'apres-midi a 18 h 00. Ces especes sont une nuisance importante pour le betail en Thailande, ou elles sont un des vecteurs mecaniques des trypanosomes. Une meilleure connaissance de leur ecologie est indispensable pour proposer des methodes de lutte plus efficaces.
48 citations
TL;DR: In an attempt to isolate and characterize Toxoplasma gondii from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, musculature samples from 72 pigs, 25 dogs, 28 free-range chickens and 50 chickens produced in industrialized farms were collected.
Abstract: In an attempt to isolate and characterize Toxoplasma gondii from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, musculature samples from 72 pigs, 25 dogs, 28 free-range chickens and 50 chickens produced in industrialized farms were collected Antibodies to T gondii have not been detected in pigs, but were found in nine (409 %) out of 22 dogs, and in 15 (536 %) of 28 free range chickens T gondii was not isolated from pigs and industrialized chickens, but from eight dogs and 11 free range chickens In order to determine T gondii virulence, female BALB/c mice were inoculated with 10(3), 10(2), 10(1) and 10(0) tachyzoites of the 19 isolates The strains RH (virulent) and ME49 (non-virulent) were used as references Isolates were divided into three groups according to the virulence phenotype: five isolates were classified into virulent in mice, one into non-virulent and 13 into intermediate virulent Nested-PCR of T gondii SAG2 locus amplified DNA from 21 out of 22 DNA samples directly extracted from heart of free range chickens These samples were genotyped through a PCR-RFLP assay Seventeen (809 %) were classified into type I; one (48 %) into type III and three (143 %) into type I or II
40 citations
TL;DR: Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data were collected during an outbreak of trichinellosis, which occurred in Izmir, Turkey, between January and March 2004, where the source of the infection was raw meatballs made with a mixture of uncooked beef and pork.
Abstract: Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data were collected during an outbreak of trichinellosis, which occurred in Izmir, Turkey, between January and March 2004. The source of the infection was raw meatballs made with a mixture of uncooked beef and pork. Of 474 persons who were admitted at the Ataturk Training and Research Hospital during this period with a history of raw meatball consumption, the diagnosis of trichinellosis was confirmed for 154 (32.5%, 87 males and 67 females; mean age 31 years, range 6-67 years). Among persons with a confirmed diagnosis, 79% had myalgia, 77% weakness and malaise, 63% arthralgia, 40% jaw pain, 68% fever, 63% periorbital and/or facial oedema, 49% oedema at the trunk and limb, 42% abdominal pain, 40% nausea and vomiting, 28% diarrhoea, 23% subconjunctival haemorrhage, 25% macular or petechial rash, 4% subungual haemorrhage, 15% cardiac complaints and 0.2% neurological complaints. Nine patients (5.8%) were hospitalised due to severe myalgia (n = 2), high fever (n = 3), neurological manifestations (n = 1), thrombophlebitis (n = 2) and palmar erythema (n = 1). Eosinophilia was present in 88% of the confirmed cases at the admission. Elevated levels of serum creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase were detected in 72%, 70% and 16% of the confirmed cases, respectively. The seroconversion occurred in most of the infected people between the 4th and 6th weeks after the infection. All of the confirmed cases were treated with mebendazole. People with severe symptoms were treated also with prednisolone (60 mg/day for three days) and those with a moderately severe clinical pattern received a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (naproxen sodium, 550 mg/day). All confirmed cases recovered without any clinical sequela.
32 citations
TL;DR: A high mortality was obtained after exposure to permethrin and deltamethrin but below 97 % which is the limit for susceptibility according to WHO.
Abstract: Standard WHO insecticide bioassay tests were carried out in Gorgora, northern Ethiopia to evaluate the susceptibility status of Anopheles pharoensis Theobald for the insecticides DDT, malathion, permethrin and deltamethrin. The mortality and when appropriate knockdown effect of the insecticides were observed. The results indicated that this species was resistant to DDT. A high mortality was obtained after exposure to permethrin and deltamethrin but below 97 % which is the limit for susceptibility according to WHO. A prolonged knockdown time was noted for DDT and the two pyrethroids. An. phoaroensis was found to be susceptible to malathion.
25 citations
TL;DR: It is hypothesize that the differences in Bilharziella and Dendritobilharzia might be linked to internal host factors (e.g. hormonal levels), and influenced by season, host, and worm age.
Abstract: Ce travail est une contribution a la systematique de Bilharziella et Dendritobilharzia (Trematoda, Schistosomatidae). Des oiseaux sauvages, tues en periode de chasse ou trouves morts en region de Champagne-Ardenne (France), ont ete autopsies pour rechercher la presence de schistosomes. Sept Anas platyrhynchos (colvert), un Ardea cinerea (heron cendrej et deux Cygnus olor (cygne tubercule) ont ete trouves parasites par des Bilharziella. Un Cygnus olor est parasite par Dendritobilharzia. Selon la saison et la nature de l'hote, plusieurs morphes de Bilharziella, suggerant plusieurs especes, ont ete observes. Les differences concernaient la morphologie de l'appareil genital, la spinulation des ventouses, la taille et les proportions du corps, chez les mâles comme chez les femelles. Or la comparaison des sequences d'ADN conduit a la conclusion que ces morphes appartiennent a une seule espece, Bilharziella polonica (Kowalewski, 1895). Chez nos specimens de Dendritobilharzia, des caracteres morphologiques et la proportion de certains organes paraissent differents de ceux de D. pulverulenta (Braun, 1901), espece type. Or, l'analyse moleculaire confirme l'identite de nos specimens avec celle de l'espece type. Nous formulons l'hypothese que des differences dans Bilharziella et Dendritobilharzia pourraient etre liees a des facteurs internes de l'hote, taux hormonal notamment, et influencees par la saison, l'hote et l'âge des vers. La definition des genres Bilharziella et Dendritobilharzia est amendee en fonction de ces observations.
25 citations
TL;DR: The main conclusion is that Serratospiculum seurati is overall pathogenic for birds of prey in the Middle East and that melarsomine + ivermectin can be an effective protocol of therapy eliminating both clinical signs and parasites.
Abstract: La presente etude avait pour objectifs de determiner l'incidence de la serratospiculose a Serratospiculum seurati chez les faucons au Koweit, de decrire les signes cliniques et d'evaluer une therapie. Du mois de mai 2003 au mois d'avril 2005, 149 faucons (8,7 %) sur 1706 ont ete trouves parasites et 140 ont recu un traitement intramusculaire de melarsomine a la posologie de 0.25 mg/kg pendant deux jours, suivi d'une injection d'une dose de 1 mg/kg d'ivermectine 10 jours apres. L'infestation etait symptomatique chez 107 171,8 %) faucons et non symptomatique chez 42 (28,2 %). Les signes cliniques les plus communs etaient une difficulte respiratoire (58,8 %), une diminution de la capacite au vol (56 %), une perte de poids (38,3 %), un manque d'appetit (22,4 %) et une lethargie (16,8 %). Les signes cliniques ont disparu en un a 10 jours chez les oiseaux symptomatiques apres le traitement a la melarsonine; de plus, il a ete observe une augmentation de la capacite au vol chez les faucons auparavant decrit comme non symptomatiques. 22 rejeterent des parasites adultes morts. tl n'a plus ete observe d'oeufs de S. seurati dans les examens coproscopiques 10 et 40 jours apres la fin du traitement, en association avec une guerison complete. Les resultats de cette etude indiquent que l'infection a S. seurati est pathogene chez les faucons de chasse et que l'association melarsomine + ivermectine est un traitement efficace sur ces parasites.
23 citations
TL;DR: The sutural slit detected in the H. mouritanica mature sporocyst wall was reminiscent of the suture characteristic of Coccidia of heterothermic vertebrate hosts; it could be a common ancestral character for both hemogregarines.
Abstract: Des specimens de la tortue Testudo graeca ont ete collectes dans les parties nord et sud des hauteurs du Golan, et en divers endroits d'Israel et de Palestine. Des tiques de l'espece Hyalomna aegyptium furent trouvees sur les tortues des hauteurs du Galon, mais seules les tiques et tortues de la partie nord etaient infectees par Hemolivia mauritanica. L'infection des tortues etait consecutive a l'ingestion de tiques. Des tiques mâles, porteuses de sporocystes, et fixees aux tortues pendant de longues periodes, etaient apparemment la source de dissemination de nouvelles infections parmi les tortues. La sporogenese, conforme a celle decrite chez les deux autres especes connues du genre Hemolivia, presentait cependant quelques differences au niveau ultrastructural. L'arete suturale du sporocyste mature d'H. mauritanica evoquait la suture caracteristique des coccidies d'hotes vertebres heterothermes ; cette ressemblance suggere qu'il s'agit d'un caractere ancestral commun aux hemogregarines et aux coccidies.
21 citations
TL;DR: Entomelas duellmani from the lungs and Skrjabinodon cortagoensis n.
Abstract: Entomelas duellmani n. sp. (Rhabditida: Rhabdiasidae) from the lungs and Skrjabinodon cortagoensis n. sp. (Oxyurida: Pharyngodonidae) from the intestines of Mesaspis monticola (Sauria: Anguidae) are described and illustrated. E. duellmani is the sixth species assigned to the genus and is the third species described from the Western Hemisphere. It is easily separated from other neotropical species in the genus by pre-equatorial position of its vulva. Skrjabinodon cartagoensis is the 24th species assigned to the genus and differs from other neotropical species in the genus by female tail morphology.
TL;DR: The low levels of parasitism observed in this study suggest that the environment is relatively undisturbed in this stretch of the Sao Francisco Verdoadeiro River.
Abstract: This study investigates the ecology of monogenean gill parasites of Astyanax altiparanae Garutti & Britski, 2000 and Rhamdia quelen (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) in a stretch of the Sao Francisco Verdadeiro River, Parana, Brazil. Statistical and ecological indices were used to examine observed levels of parasitism in relation to host and environmental characteristics. A. altiparanae and R. quelen had infestation intensities of 2.8 and 23.1 parasites per fish, respectively. The only significant environmental influence was observed at the upstream station for R. quelen . For both host species, parasitized and non-parasitized individuals presented similar weight-length relationships. Parasitized individuals had dispersed Kn values indicating abnormal conditions. The low levels of parasitism observed in this study suggest that the environment is relatively undisturbed. Additional studies should compare these two species and their respective parasites following completion of the hydroelectric headquarters planned for construction in this stretch of the Sao Francisco Verdadeiro River.
TL;DR: Three new species of the genus Oswaldocruzia Travassos, 1917 belonging to the sub-family Molineinae are described from the stomach and/or the small intestine of Enyalius spp.
Abstract: Three new species of the genus Oswaldocruzia Travassos, 1917 belonging to the sub-family Molineinae are described from the stomach and/or the small intestine of Enyalius spp. from Brazil. They belong to group 6 of Ben Slimane, Chabaud & Durette-Desset (1996). In this group they share along with O. peruensis Ben Slimane, Verhaag & Durette-Desset, 1995, a parasite of Iguanidae from Peru the followings linked characters: (i) a caudal bursa of type II; (ii) cervical alae present; (iii) undulated cuticular ridges. The Peruvian species differs from the Brasilian species by the absence of a strut in the cervical alae, by a small number of cuticular ridges at mid-body and by a spicular fork with a ramified inner twig. Oswaldocruzio fredi n. sp., a parasite of the stomach and the small intestine of Enyalius iheringii, mainly differs from the two other species by the absence of the oesophageal ventral cuticular ridges. Oswaldocruzia benslimanei n. sp., a parasite of the small intestine of Enyalius bilineatus, differs from Oswoldocruzia burseyi n. sp., a parasite of the stomach of Enyalius perditus, by the division of the fork at 23.4 % of spicule length (versus 32 %), and the length of the blade longer than the fork. Oswoldocruzia subauricularis sensu Freitas, 1955 nec Rudolphi, 1819 and O. mazzai sensu Vicente, 1981 nec Travassos, 1935 should be considered as species inquirendae.
TL;DR: It is indicated that the antigenic components of high molecular weight can be good candidates for differentiation of hepatic CE from pulmonary CE.
Abstract: Many serological tests are widely used in the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus granulosus. The present study was carried for differentiation between hepatic and pulmonary cystic echinococcosis by Western Blotting (WB). A total of 121 sera from patients with hepatic CE (37), pulmonary CE (31) and controls (53; consisting of six healthy, seven Hymenolepis nana infection, 20 hepatic and 20 pulmonary diseases other than CE) were examined. In all of the CE patients, E. gronulosus infection was confirmed by surgical intervention. Sera were previously tested using IHA and ELISA to detect the E. gronulosus specific antibodies. Sera from hepatic cases of CE reacted with 16 polypeptides of 6-116 kDa and sera from pulmonary cases of CE reacted with 14 polypeptides of 4-130 kDa by Western Blotting. The WB test enabled the detection of antibodies in the hepatic CE samples for proteins of 24, 32 34, 44-46 and 52-54 kDa in molecular weight in 78.4%, 75.7%, 78.4% and 89.2% of the patients, respectively. In the pulmonary CE samples sera WB test enabled the detection of antibodies 24, 44-46, 100, 110, 116 and 120 124 kDa in molecular weight in 81.3%, 75.0%, 87.5%, 71.9%, 84.4% and 65.6% of the patients, respectively. We indicated that the antigenic components of high molecular weight can be good candidates for differentiation of hepatic CE from pulmonary CE.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The infective larva of Litomosoides yutajensis Guerrero et al., 2003, a parasite of the bat Pteronotus pamellii, is described; it is distinct from congeneric infective larvae by the absence of caudal lappets.
Abstract: The infective larva of Litomosoides yutajensis Guerrero et al ., 2003, a parasite of the bat Pteronotus parnellii , is described; it is distinct from congeneric infective larvae by the absence of caudal lappets. The life cycles of five other species of Litomosoides are known; three are parasites of rodents, one of a marsupial and one of a bat. As with these species, the experimental vector of L. yutajensis used was the macronyssid mite Ornithonyssus bacoti. In nature, the main vectors are probably other macronyssids but transmission by O. bacoti , with its large host-range, could account for the characteristic host-switchings in the evolution of Litomosoides . Unlike the murine model L. sigmodontis Chandler, 1931, L. yutajensis is devoid of the endosymbiontic bacteria Wolbachia and may be of great interest.
TL;DR: The most appropriate time for treatment of Oestrus Ovis is suggested than sheep be treated with larvicide in December, based on information and an analysis of the evolution of the parasite within the host.
Abstract: Oestrus ovis est un parasite commun des moutons dans la zone mediterraneenne. Cette etude a ete effectuee dans la vallee de l'Ebre pres de Saragosse {nord-est de l'Espagne) employant des animaux traceurs pour determiner les saisons ou l'infestation est la plus probable. Base sur cette information et une analyse de l'evolution du parasite chez l'hote, nous suggerons le moment le plus approprie pour le traitement. Les adultes apparaissent de mai a novembre, la diapause commence en octobre-novembre et dure au moins jusqu'a fevrier; ainsi, on peut suggerer que les moutons soient traites en decembre.
TL;DR: It is speculated that invading black rats in Semakau replaced autochthonous sylvatic rodent population and contracted their associate tick population.
Abstract: The ixodid tick Ixodes granulosus Supino 1897 was found infesting Rattus rattus in Semakau island, one of the small offshore islands fringing Singapore to the south. None of the examined R. rattus from the other islands fringing Singapore, or from Singapore island were found infested. Ixodes granulatus occurs, however, on Singapore island on Rattus annandalei , resident of undisturbed forested habitats. We speculate that invading black rats in Semakau replaced autochthonous sylvatic rodent population and contracted their associate tick population.
TL;DR: The helminth component communities of these two green frogs can be considered as depauperate, although their infracommunities present interactive features.
Abstract: Les communautes d'helminthes de deux populations de grenouilles vertes des rivages de la mer d'Alboran (mediterraneen occidental) ont ete etudiees Des 79 grenouilles examinees pour etudier les helminthes, 39 exemplaires de Rana saharica ont ete captures a Bab-Taza (Maroc), et 40 de l'espece Rana perezi dans le Parc Naturel Sierra de Grazalema (Espagne) Bien que la richesse des especes d'helminthes soient identique dans les deux secteurs d'echantillonnage, les differences observees dans la structure des infracommunautes d'helminthes sont assez importantes Statistiquement, des differences significatives ont ete trouvees entre la richesse en especes et la diversite des infracommunautes chez les femelles de R perezi et les trois autres populations statistiques etudiees Les communautes helminthiques de ces deux grenouilles vertes peuvent etre considerees comme pauvres, bien que leurs infracommunautes presentent des caracteristiques interactives
TL;DR: Results show Lu.
Abstract: Natural infection with Leishmania spp. in phlebotomine sandflies was searched for during a longitudinal study carried out from July 1997 to July 1998 in the village Catarnica, Municipality Independencia, Tachira State. This hamlet is an old endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Venezuelan Andean region, which lies close to the Colombian border at 1,300 m a.s.l., in an agricultural area mainly used for cultivating coffee. Phlebotomine sandflies were collected using Shannon traps placed in the peridomestic habitat from 19:00 to 21:00 hs. Males were stored in alcohol 70 % while females were kept in Nunc vials with 10 % DMSO and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for subsequent dissection and identification. The most abundant anthropophilic species was Lutzomyia spinicrassa with 3,032 males and 4,290 females (85.4%). Among 1,633 (38%) females of Lu. spinicrassa dissected, 26 11.6%) were infected with promastigotes, while no natural infection was found in 209 females of other species. The flagellates were identified as Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis using PCR with species specific primers derived from nuclear DNA and hybridization using species specific probe labelled with digoxigenin. This parasite had been previously isolated from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis from the same area. These results show Lu. spinicrassa as a new proven vector of Leishmania braziliensis in the Andean region of Venezuela.
TL;DR: The new parasite appears to clearly illustrate a major event in the evolution of onchocercids: the host-switching, which might have occurred on the Eurasian continent, where elephantids and the lineage of rupicaprines diversified during the Pliocene-Pleistocene, or in Japan, into which some of these hosts migrated.
Abstract: A new onchocercid species, Loxodontofilaria caprini n. sp. (Filarioidea: Nematoda), found in subcutaneous tissues of 37 (33%) of 112 serows (Noemorhedus crispus) examined in Japan, is described. The female worm had the characteristics of Loxodontofilaria, e.g., the large body size, well-developed esophagus with a shallow buccal cavity, and the long tail with three caudal lappets. The male worm of the new species, which was first described in the genus, had unequal length of spicules, 10 pairs of pre- and post-caudal papillae, and three terminal caudal lappets. Deirids were present in both sexes. Among four species of the genus loxodontofiloria: one from the hippopotamus and three from the Elepantidae, L. caprini n. sp. appears close to L. asiatica Bain, Baker & Chabaud, 1982, a subcutaneous parasite of Elephas indicus in Myanmar (Burma). However, L. caprini n. sp. is distinct from L. asiatica in that the Japanese female worm has an esophagus half as long and the microfilariae also half as long with a coiled posterior. The microfilariae were found in the skin of serows. The new parasite appears to clearly illustrate a major event in the evolution of onchocercids: the host-switching. This might have occurred on the Eurasian continent, where elephantids and the lineage of rupicaprines diversified during the Pliocene-Pleistocene, or in Japan, into which some of these hosts migrated.
TL;DR: The species are distinguished from one another and from the only existing species within the genus, P. southwelli Campbel & Beveridge, 1990, by differences in the arrangement of bill-hooks on the external surface of the basal swelling of the tentacle and by the number of hooks in each row of the metabasasl armature.
Abstract: Pseudochristianella elegantissima sp. nov. (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) is described from the spiral valves of the rays Dasyatis brevis (Garman, 1880) and D. longus (Garman, 1880), from the Gulf of California, Mexico. Also described is P. nudiscula sp. nov. from rays Rhinobatos productus Ayres, 1854, D. longus , Myliobatis longirostris Applegate & Fitch, 1964 and Zapteryx exasperata (Jordan & Gilbert, 1880) from the same location. The species are distinguished from one another and from the only existing species within the genus, P. southwelli Campbell & Beveridge, 1990, by differences in the arrangement of bill-hooks on the external surface of the basal swelling of the tentacle and by the number of hooks in each row of the metabasasl armature.
TL;DR: A new species of sandfly is described from limestone caves in Thailand and the inclusion in the genus Chinius, which up until now was monospecific, is discussed, on the basis of characteristics of the head, thorax, cibarium, and genitalia.
Abstract: A new species of sandfly is described from limestone caves in Thailand. The inclusion of this species in the genus Chinius, which up until now was monospecific, is discussed. It is justified on the basis of characteristics of the head (eyes, pharynx, cibarium, complete interocular suture and length of the mouth pieces), thorax (rounded wings), abdomen (presence of trumpet glands on the tergites 4 and 5 of the male) and genitalia (morphology of the male genitalia and of the spermathecae in the female). Detailed descriptions and drawings are given. The wing of C. barbazani n. sp. lacks of vein R2 in both sexes. This anomaly, regarding to Phlebotominae, is discussed and considered as a probable autapomorphic regression. The differential diagnosis with Chinius junlianensis Leng, 1987, rests on a number of characteristics of the wing venation, antennal formula and the length of the male and female genital ducts, which are five times shorter in C. barbazani n. sp.
TL;DR: The new species is close to Lamellodiscus furcillatus Kritsky, Jiménez-Ruiz and Sey, 2000, but differs by the size of the haptoral sclerotised pieces and the morphology of the male copulatory apparatus.
Abstract: Lamellodiscus sanfilippoi n. sp. takes place, among the other species of Lamellodiscus, in the "ergensi" sub-group (Amine et Euzet, 2005) characterized by the morphology of the dorsal lateral bars of the haptor. This sub-group comprises, in the Mediterranean, L. ergensi Euzet and Oliver, 1966, L. kechemirae Amine and Euzet, 2005, L. tomentosus Amine and Euzet, 2005, all parasite of Diplodus sargus, and L. baeri Oliver, 1974 parasite of Pagrus pagrus. L. sanfilippoi can be distinguished from the previous species by the morphology and size of the dorsal lateral bars. The new species is close to Lamellodiscus furcillatus Kritsky, Jimenez-Ruiz and Sey, 2000, a parasite of Diplodus noct in the Persian Gulf, but differs by the size of the haptoral sclerotised pieces and the morphology of the male copulatory apparatus. Lamellodiscus gussevi Sanfilippo (1978) et Lamellodiscus abbreviatus Sanfilippo (1978) are considered as nomina nuda.
TL;DR: L’analyse des variables architecturales de cette Cactaceae montre that la presence of nids, et donc d’insectes, est infeodee aux pratiques traditionnelles de gestion de ce cactus.
Abstract: Les observations de terrain realisees dans le nord-est du Bresil ont montre la frequente association, dans l’espace peridomiciliaire, entre un cactus, le Cereus jamacaru , la presence de nids dans ses branches et celle de Rhodnius neglectus et de Triatoma pseudomaculata , especes vectrices du parasite Trypanosoma cruzi , agent de la maladie de Chagas. L’analyse des variables architecturales de cette Cactaceae montre que la presence de nids, et donc d’insectes, est infeodee aux pratiques traditionnelles de gestion de ce cactus. Cette etude souligne l’interet d’une approche integree de l’ecologie des Triatominae pour l’identification des variables indicatrices de risque.
TL;DR: Ovine and dromedary Echinococcus granulosus isolates from Tunisia were identified as G1 and G6 strains based on polymorphism of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxydase CO1 and heterozygote deficiency (suggesting selfing) was found in a limited number of camel isolates.
Abstract: Ovine and dromedary Echinococcus granulosus isolates from Tunisia were identified as G1 and G6 strains based on polymorphism of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxydase CO1. Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) was used in order to examine the genetic variation within and between Tunisian G1 and G6 strains and to estimate the extent of selfing. The dromedary isolates are genetically distinct from sheep isolates (high value of genetic variation between populations: Fst= 0.46). No significant deficiency in heterozygotes was found in sheep isolates, whereas heterozygote deficiency (suggesting selfing) was found in a limited number of camel isolates.
TL;DR: Three new fleas described from endemic rodents in Sulawesi show morphological adaptations for parasitizing spiny hosts including a remarkable "beak-like" structure on the head of Gryphopsyllo hopkinsi (Traub) which parasitizes the spiny murids in Borneo.
Abstract: Gryphopsylla moxomydis n. sp. (Pygiopsyllidae), Medwayella rubrisciuroe n. sp. (Pygiopsyllidae) et Macrosylophora theresae n. sp. (Ceratophyllidae) sont decrites de rongeurs endemiques du Sulawesi. G. maxomydis fut collectee chez les rongeurs murides Maxomys musschenbroekii et Poruromys deminator dons le Sulawesi Central (Sulawesi Tengah). Cependant, M. musschenbroekii apparait comme le veritable hote de cette puce, car il a un pelage epineux et, de son cote, G. maxomydis montre des adaptations morphologiques a un parasitisme de tels hotes, en l'occurrence la remarquable structure de la tete en forme de "bec". Cette adaptation est semblable a la structure en "bec" de Gryphopsylla hopkinsi (Traub) qui parasite le rat epineux Maxomys whiteheadi a Borneo (Sebah). Medwayella rubrisciuroe fut capturee sur le tres gros ecureuil arboricole Rubrisciurus rubriventer, dons le Sulowesi Central, et represente le premier signalement de ce genre de puce au Sulawesi. Macrostylophora theresae n. sp. fut capturee sur les murides Bunomys frotrorum, P. dominator et Rottus xanthurus dans le Nord Sulawesi (Sulawesi Utara); la plupart des autres puces de ce genre parasitent les ecureuils dans les regions zoogeographiques Orientale et Palaearctique.
TL;DR: Doasypsyllus (Neomipsyllus) aedon n.
Abstract: Doasypsyllus (Neomipsyllus) aedon n. sp. is described from specimens obtained from Passeriform's nests (Troglodytidae and Furnariidae).
TL;DR: The purpose of the work was to establish some biological parameters such as: hatching of eggs, cycle of development and emergence of adults, which were compared with those available on C. f.
Abstract: Among the fleas of medico-veterinary interest, Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche, 1 835) is the one most studied. This taxon includes two subspecies: Ctenocephalides f. felis, and Ctenocephalides f. strongylus (Jordan, 1925); only C. f. felis has been the subject of almost all the studies available. We were, thus, interested in C. f. strongylus which can be regarded as the species of substitution of C. f. felis on the African continent. The purpose of our work was to establish some biological parameters such as: hatching of eggs, cycle of development and emergence of adults. These data were compared with those available on C. f. felis. With temperatures ranging between 19 degrees C and 29 degrees C and a relative humidity (HR) of 75 % +/- 5, the hatching rates of eggs observed from the two subspecies of C. felis, are higher than 88 %. The optimal temperature of eggs hatching for C. felis is 29 degrees C, with more than 70 % of hatching obtained in 1-2 days after the laying. The larval developments of the two subspecies are almost identical and function of the temperature 18-9 days with 27 degrees C). Only differs the minimal duration of the progressive cycle. For C. f. strongylus, it lasts in 16-17 days at 29 degrees C, 20-21 days at 27 degrees C and 38 days at 19 degrees C. For C. f. felis, published values give report of 15 days at 27 degrees C and 17 days at 24 degrees C. The emergence of adults of C. f. strongylus takes eight to ten days between 19 degrees C and 29 degrees C, while data published on C. f. felis are about 26 days at 19 degrees C and 15 days at 27 degrees C.
TL;DR: Preliminary results suggest that development from oocysts to salivary gland sporozoites is similar in the two vectors, however, these developmental indices varied as a function of the season in which samples were collected, particularly for An.
Abstract: Summary: Intrinsic vector characteristics and environmental factors affect the sporogonic development of P. falciparum in Anopheles mosquitoes. We tested for the presence of the circumsporozoite protein, as a marker of the oocyst to sporozoite transition in naturally infected Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus. Malaria vectors were collected in a village in the Sahel of Niger during the rainy and dry seasons. ELISA-CSP was carried out on abdomen and head/thorax portions from more than 2,000 samples. No significant difference was found in the overall rates of infection of An. gambiae s.l. (4.13 %) and An. funestus (3.58 %). Given the differences in duration of the two parasite stages, P. falciparum CSP antigen prevalence was nearly as high in the abdomen as in the head/thorax, and did not differ significantly between An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus. These preliminary results suggest that development from oocysts to salivary gland sporozoites is similar in the two vectors. However, these developmental indices varied as a function of the season in which samples were collected, particularly for An. gambiae s.l. This simple method may be useful for field studies assessing the effect of environmental and genetic factors on parasite survival.