Volume 53, Issue 2

Isospora cagasebi sp. nov. (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) is reported from a bananaquit, Coereba flaveola from Brazil. Oocysts are sub-spherical, 24.9 × 24.5 (23.0–26.1 × 22.6–25.4), with a smooth, bilayered wall ∼1.4 and mean L:W ratio 1.0; micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are elongate ovoidal, 18.7 × 11.5 (17.6–19.4 × 10.4–12.3), with both Stieda and substieda bodies and mean L:W ratio 1.6; sporocyst residuum present and sporozoites each with 2 refractiles bodies.

Three previously undescribed species of wageneri group of Gyrodactylus Nordmann, 1832 (subgenus Limnonephrotus, Gyrodactylidae, Monogenoidea) related to G. lavareti Malmberg, 1957 are described here. G. pomeraniae sp. nov. was found on roach (Rutilus rutilus) in Poland and Belgium, G. ouluensis sp. nov. on roach in Finland and G. salvelini sp. nov. on Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in the Lake Inari, Finland. A molecular redescription of G. lavareti on Coregonus lavaretus is also presented, and G. bliccensis on Alburnus alburnus from river Morava, Czech Republic is included in the phylogenetic analysis. In addition, a hybrid clone of maternal G. pomeraniae sp. nov. and paternal G. lavareti found on farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is characterized. The molecular species description was based on the complete CO1 gene of the mitochondrial DNA, and on phylogenetic comparison of the internal transcribed spacer segment (ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. The species hosted by cyprinids were basal in the phylogeny rooted by numerous relatives of wageneri-species group.

Diplectanum parvus sp. nov. is described from the coral reef fish Cephalopholis urodeta collected off New Caledonia, South Pacific, and is the first diplectanid described from this fish. The new species has a very small male copulatory organ (24 μm in length) and a minute body (246 μm in length) and is close to D. nanus Justine, 2007 from which it can be distinguished by the shape of dorsal bars and various measurements. These species belong to a group of diplectanids found in groupers (Serranidae, Epinephelinae), characterised by small funnel-shaped male copulatory organs and no sclerotized female organs. The attribution of these parasites to Diplectanum Diesing is provisional. Other parasites are briefly listed. Abstract Diplectanum parvus sp. nov. est décrit du poisson de récif corallien Cephalopholis urodeta pLché en Nouvelle-Calédonie, et est le premier Diplectanidae décrit de ce poisson. La nouvelle espèce a une organe copulateur mâle (long de 24 μm) et un corps (long de 246 μm) très petits et est proche de D. nanus Justine, 2007 dont elle peut eêtre différenciée par la forme des barres dorsales et diverses mesures. Ces espèces appartiennent B un groupe de Diplectanidae parasites de mérous (Serranidae, Epinephelinae), caractérisés par des organes copulateurs mâles petits en forme d’entonnoir et l’absence d’organes sclérifiés femelles, qui sont attribués provisoirement B Diplectanum Diesing. Les autres parasites sont brièvement mentionnés.

The most species rich order of tapeworms is the Cyclophyllidea and prior to wide-scale sampling of these worms for phylogenetics, we wished to develop reliable PCR primers that would capture fragments of mitochondrial (mt) DNA with phylogenetic utility across the order. Nuclear ribosomal RNA gene sequences are well-established and valuable markers for resolving flatworm interrelationships spanning a wide range of taxonomic divergences, but fail to provide resolution amongst recently diverged lineages. Entire mt genomes of selected cyclophyllidean tapeworms are available on GenBank, and we used these to design PCR primers to amplify mtDNA from cox1, rrnL and nad1 for a range of cyclophyllideans (7 davaineids, 1 hymenolepidid and 1 dilepidid) and selected outgroups (Tetrabothrius sp. and Mesocestoides sp.). A combined nuclear and mt gene data set was used to estimate a reference phylogeny and the performance of the individual genes was compared to this. Although nuclear and mt genes each contributed to the structure and stability of the phylogenetic estimate, strongest nodal support was provided by nuclear data amongst the basal lineages and by mt data amongst the most recently diverged lineages. The apparent complementarity afforded by combining nuclear and mt data was compromised by these data partitions providing conflicting signal at poorly supported nodes. Nevertheless, we argue for a combined evidence approach. PCR primers that amplify rrnL were designed and tested successfully against a diversity of cyclophyllideans; rrnL and nad1 appeared to be more informative than the fragment of cox1. The genus Raillietina was not supported by molecular evidence. The new primers will likely provide considerable resolution to estimates of cyclophyllidean interrelationships in future studies.

Chitwoodiella longicardia sp. nov. is characterized by having modified cardia into a long tubular structure and extends upto anterior portion of the intestine. This character is present in all the specimens collected from North-East India and represents the third species described under the genus globally. A short note on Mirzaiella asiatica Basir, 1942 is also given. Moreover, key to known species of Chitwoodiella and Mirzaiella are also provided. A comparative measurement table of known species of Chitwoodiella and Mirzaiella are given in Table I and Table II.

The female morphology of the nematode Philometra parasiluri Yamaguti, 1935 (Philometridae) is described based on a sub-gravid specimen found in the oculo-orbit of the Amur catfish Silurus asotus Linnaeus of Lake Biwa, Honshu, Japan collected in April 2007. Light and scanning electron microscopical examination made it possible to study in detail the morphology of this so far little-known species. In contrast to the original species description, no cuticular bosses are found on the body surface; in addition to the previously reported eight large cephalic papillae of the external circle, the cephalic end also bears six (2 lateral and 4 submedian) small papillae of the internal circle and a pair of inconspicuous amphids; no oesophageal teeth are present and the anterior oesophageal lobes are slightly elevated; two large, lateral, papilla-like caudal projections are present. To date P. parasiluri has been found only in Japan and the present finding represents the third documented record of this species. Philometra parasiluri probably has a pronounced annual maturation cycle with the period of the production of larvae in the late spring and summer.

Decorataria decorata (Cram, 1927) is redescribed on the basis of light-microscopy and SEM observations on specimens collected from the stomach of Podiceps cristatus and P. grisegena from Bulgaria. The SEM study revealed the presence of a porebearing field on each pseudolabium and a pair of spines (one dorsal and one ventral) situated between bases of the cordons. The deirids are spine-like and minute. The light-microscopy examination showed the presence of ornamentation situated under the dorsal surface of caudal alae. The occurrence of D. decorata in Bulgaria is a new geographical record.

Spatial heterogeneity is a feature common to many ecosystems. Aquatic organisms typically exhibit this heterogeneous distribution but to date little is known about the distribution of many common parasite species within water bodies. In this study the distribution of Argulus foliaceus (L.), an ectoparasitic crustacean, on different sized hosts within a mixed species fish community was determined. Different fish species exhibited differences in their louse burdens (prevalence and intensity). The highest prevalence of A. foliaceus was observed on fish species dominated by larger individuals (i.e. Cyprinus carpio, Abramis brama and Tinca tinca). C. carpio and A. brama also exhibited the highest mean louse intensities. Infested fish were generally heavier than uninfested conspecifics. Differences in the weight of uninfested and infested fish were significant (P<0.05) for the whole fish community samples and the Scardinius erythrophthalmus, A. brama and C. carpio samples. There was also a general pattern of increasing infestation intensity with an increase in host body weight, with significant correlations for the whole fish community for S. erythrophthalmus, A. brama and C. carpio samples. In addition there were significant differences in parasite prevalence and intensity between different host weight groups and larger (heavier) fish appeared to be more prone to infestation by A. foliaceus.

Three species of Cymothoidae (Crustacea, Isopoda), Emetha audouini, Ceratothoa collaris and C. steindachneri are here reported from Algeria. The presence of E. audouini and C. collaris is confirmed there and these two species are reported for the first time from Béjaïa, Jijel and Annaba. Ceratothoa steindachneri is new for the Algerian fauna. Ceratothoa oestroides, C. parallela, C. oxyrrhynchaena, Anilocra frontalis, A. physodes and Nerocila bivittata are also recorded. New hosts are identified for C. parallela, C. steindachneri, A. frontalis and A. physodes as well as those of E. audouini. Three species of Aegidae, Aega rosacea, A. deshaysiana and Aega sp. are recorded. The presence of the first is reported for the first time in Algeria and that of the second is confirmed there. For each one of these species, potential preys are identified. Abstract Trois espèces de Cymothoidae (Crustacea, Isopoda), Emetha audouini, Ceratothoa collaris et C. steindachneri sont ici signalées en Algérie. La présence d.’E. audouini et de C. collaris y est confirmée. Ces deux dernières espèces sont signalées pour la première fois dans les golfes de Béjaïa, Jijel et Annaba. L’espèce Ceratothoa steindachneri est nouvelle pour la faune algérienne. Ceratothoa oestroides, C. parallela, C. oxyrrhynchaena, Anilocra frontalis, A. physodes, Nerocila bivittata, ont été à nouveau récoltées. De nouveaux hôtes sont signalés pour C. parallela, C. steindachneri, A. frontalis, A. physodes et E. audouini. Trois espèces d’Aegidae, Aega rosacea, A. deshaysiana et Aega sp. ont été récoltées. La première est signalée pour la première fois en Algérie tandis que la présence de la deuxième y est confirmée. Pour chacune de ces espèces, des hôtes potentiels ont été identifiés.

Two new quill mite species parasitizing sunbirds (Nectariniidae) are described: Aulobia nectariniae sp. nov. from the Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis (L.), from the Black Sunbird Leptocoma sericea (Lesson), and Aulobia anthreptes sp. nov. from Plain-throated Sunbird Anthreptes malacensis. The family Nectariniidae is a new host group for syringophilid mites.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the etiologic agent of Lyme borreliosis, circulates between ticks and vertebrate hosts. Two main genospecies typically occur in the Czech Republic Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii, transmitted generally by Ixodes ricinus (L., 1758) ticks. The aim of our study was to identify spirochaete isolates focusing on Borrelia burgdorferi acquired from different sources: vectors (ticks), potential vectors (mosquitoes, small mites) and hosts (wild rodents). In the years 1996–2001 a total of 2398 ticks, 72 mites (from wild rodents), 2700 mosquito adults, 1798 mosquito larvae and organ parts (kidney and spleen) of 216 wild rodents were collected from seven localities in the Czech Republic. A total of 31 spirochaete strains were isolated: 13 strains from ticks, 1 strain from mite (Haemogamasus sp.), 15 strains from rodents, 1 strain from mosquito adults and 1 strain from mosquito larva. For the genospecies identification of these isolates PCR, PCR-RFLP was used and their characterization was also performed by SDS-PAGE. By nested PCR method all except one isolated strains were detected as Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. Following PCR-RFLP molecular analysis results, tick isolates were identified as B. garinii and B. afzelii, the strain isolated from the mite was identified as B. afzelii. This is the first isolated strain of B.b.s.l. from a different mite of infraorder Parasitiformes than tick. All of rodent isolates were identified as B. afzelii; mosquito adult isolate was identified as B. afzelii. Larval isolate from mosquito is spirochaete, but does not belong to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group.

Pathomorphological changes of intestine, liver, spleen and adrenals of rats experimentally infected with Hymenolepis diminuta are described 24 days post infection. Major structural alterations in intestinal wall include lesions of the mucosa, fusions of villi, damage of the epithelial layer and its replacement by flattened cells with pycnotic nuclei. In addition, tunica muscularis and tunica submucosa become thicker and there are numerous lymphocytes among enterocytes. At moderate infections, the changes in the spleen indicate activation of the lymphopoiesis and enhanced protective functions while, in heavily infected rats, the B zone of the spleen showed signs of emaciation. Liver histology of infected rats showed dilatation of sinusoids and the presence of destructive alterations in the parenchyma, necrotic cells and cells with pycnotic nuclei; in heavily infected animals, the necrotic cells were grouped in foci. In adrenal glands, alterations concern mostly zona fascicularis, which is interpreted as mobilization of cytoplasmic lipid inclusions in order to increase the intensity of the steroid hormone synthesis. The degree and character of histopathological changes depended on the intensity of infection.

The oligopeptidase B serine protease is an important virulence factor and therapeutic target in Trypanosoma infections. Recently, the Leishmania major Genome Project identified a new oligopeptidase B that was denominated oligopeptidase B-like, herein named oligopeptidase B-2. In this study, a complete open reading frame of oligopeptidase B-2 from Leishmania amazonensis (PH8 strain) was amplified by PCR using primers designed for the oligopeptidase B-2 gene of L. major. The 2,715 bp fragment coded for a protein of 905 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 103,918.9 Da and theoretical pI of 5.82. The encoded protein displayed ∼96% identity with L. major and ∼75% identity with Trypanosoma cruzi and T. brucei oligopeptidases B-2, and ∼21% identity with Escherichia coli and L. amazonensis classical oligopeptidase B. An unusual C-terminal extension was found in relation to the classical trypanosomatid oligopeptidase B. By sequence alignment, we determined a catalytic triad (Ser 629, Asp 717 and His 758), S1 subsite (Glu 674 and Glu 676) and suggest a difference in the S2 subsite of L. amazonensis oligopeptidase B-2. We also found that the oligopeptidase B-2 gene is expressed in all cycle stages of L. amazonensis. A phylogenetic analysis indicated that oligopeptidase B-2 is a new member of oligopeptidase B.

The studies were undertaken to investigate the development of some cell-mediated immune responses in experimental toxocarosis in mice and to assess the influence of these responses on the course of infection. Mice were infected orally with 350 eggs of Toxocara canis and reinfected with the same dose of parasites after 8 weeks. Groups of infected animals were killed each week of the experiments to obtain spleens, livers and brains for further studies. Lymphocytes from removed spleens were analysed by flow-cytometry for CD4 and CD8 expression and cultured in vitro to measure their responses to Concanavalin A and excretory-secretory (ES) antigen of T. canis in a lymphocyte transformation test. Pieces of livers were used to prepare paraffin sections to be stained later with haematoxylin and eosin, whereas whole brains of the infected animals were examined for the presence of parasite larvae. The results of the studies showed depression of T-cell responses to ConA in early stages of infection and significant increase in the blastogenic responses to the ES antigen from week 4 following infection. The depression of T-cell responses was accompanied by lowered CD4+/CD8+ ratio resulting from increased percentages of CD8+ T cells. Histopathological examination of liver sections revealed trapping of larvae in T. canis reinfected mice. The intensity of infection as measured by larval recoveries from the brains of mice increased gradually up to the 8th week of infection, but did not show significant changes after reinfection, testifying to the development of long-lasting protective immunity during primary infection.

The spleen is a rare location for hydatid cysts with the larvae reaching the site after escaping the hepatic and pulmonary filters. For most surgeons, splenectomy is the primary treatment in such cases which aims at eradicating the disease while decreasing the chances of recurrence by removing the intact cyst. While this is true, the risks of other two parasitic infections are increased, namely malaria and babesiosis. In the case presented here, the spleen was preserved after extirpating the cyst to keep the patient’s immunity against malaria, which is endemic in our region.

In August 2007, 856 specimens of Echinogammarus tibaldii Pinkster et Stock, 1970 from the Lake Piediluco (Central Italy) were collected from 3 different sites and examined for larval helminths. Fourteen amphipods (1.63%) were infected with larvae of Lateriporus teres (Dilepididae) and one amphipod (0.12%) was infected with Microsomacanthus microsoma (Hymenolepididae). Adults of both species are known from waterfowl and gulls. The present results constitute new host records for both cestode species and the first finding of L. teres in Italy.

A nematode Dentostomella translucida was found during parasitological examination of a pet Mongolian gerbil Meriones unguiculatus. Gerbils in the wild are known as hosts of this parasite in Asia, pet gerbils — in the USA and Brazil. Our record is the first in Europe. Complete descriptions of male and female individuals are given.

We present data on helminths harboured by two sympatric species of Enyalius Wagler, 1830 (E. iheringiii Boulenger, 1885 and E. perditus Jackson, 1978) from the Atlantic Rainforest of the Ilha de São Sebastião, in São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. Six helminth species were found in the hosts: five nematodes (Cosmocerca sp., Oswaldocruzia burseyi Durette-Desset, Anjos et Vrcibradic, 2006, Oswaldocruzia fredi Durette-Desset, Anjos et Vrcibradic, 2006, Rhabdias sp., and Strongyluris oscari Travassos, 1923), and one acanthocephalan (Acanthocephalus sp.). Overall helminth prevalences were relatively high for both species [6/6 (100%) for E. iheringii and 9/14 (64%) for E. perditus]. The helminth assemblages from both host species were depauperate and dominated by generalist helminths with direct life-cycles.