Volume 60, Issue 4

There are three major groups of parasitic platyhelminths (flatworms). The digeneans and cestodes are endoparasites, while the monogeneans are ectoparasites mostly on the gills or skin of fishes. Monogeneans are hermaphrodite and, with the exception of the gyrodactylids, mostly protandrous, the male reproductive system maturing before the female system. Their ectoparasitic life-style provides unique opportunities to observe the reproductive biology of living platyhelminths, opportunities restricted in digeneans and cestodes by their endoparasitic habits. Moreover, the male copulatory organs (MCOs) of monogeneans are of special interest because of their perplexing diversity, ranging from sclerotised penis tubes, many with accessory sclerites, to cirruses and genital atrium armature (hooks and spines). The relatively few accounts in the literature of mating in monogeneans are reproduced in this review, together with consideration of the following aspects of sperm transfer: structure and function of MCOs; self-insemination; spermatophores and pseudospermatophores; “hypodermic” and transtegumental insemination; tissue fusion; glands associated with MCOs and vaginae; finding a mating partner.

There is little information available on parasites of zoonotic significance in Cambodia. In 2011, in an effort to obtain data on potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites in domestic animals, 50 dogs and 30 pigs residing in 38 households located in Ang Svay Check village, Takeo province, Cambodia were examined for parasites from faecal samples. The samples were processed using the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT). Hookworms were the most common zoonotic parasite found in dogs (80.0%) followed by Echinostomes (18.0%). While, in pigs, Fasciolopsis buski was the most common zoonotic parasite (30.0%) followed by Ascaris suum (13.3%). This study provides baseline data on gastrointestinal parasites in dogs and pigs from Cambodia and underscores the importance of domestic animals as reservoir hosts for human parasites for Cambodian veterinary and public health agencies. Follow-up studies are required to further taxonomically characterize these dog and pig parasites and to determine their role in human parasites in this community.

Tritrichomonas foetus, a parasite of cattle reproductive system, has been recently discovered as a cause of disease in cats in many countries. T. foetus infects and colonizes cat’s ileum, caecum, colon and can lead to enteritis. This paper presents the first clinical case of cat intestinal trichomonosis caused by T. foetus in Poland. The material for this study was a smear collected from a 6-month-old male British Shorthair cat. The presence of parasitic protozoan was determined via microscopic examination and confirmed by amplification of T. foetus rDNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. In the first PCR reaction, a DNA of Trichomonadidae was identified and in the second PCR, T. foetus was detected. The T. foetus positive products from the second PCR reaction were sequenced. Interpretation of the sequencing results of obtained amplicons by comparing them with the GenBank database proved that the causative agent, in this case, was T. foetus.

Numerous factors contribute to perinatal risk, many of which remain undefined. This study sought to determine the frequency of fish intake in postpartum women, and to establish a relationship between the rates of immunoreactivity for antigens from Anisakis spp. and high-risk pregnancy. In this prospective noninterventional study, a structured questionnaire was administered and serum was collected from postpartum women at two perinatal centers (a high-risk birth unit [HRBU] and a low-risk birth unit [LRBU]) in the Niteroi municipality of Brazil. Anisakis species-specific IgG and IgE were measured by ELISA. The chisquared test was performed, and odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. The t-test or Mann-Whitney test was applied to continuous, normally distributed variables. In total, 309 women (170 from HRBU, 139 from LRBU) between 24.8 and 26.7 years old with a median of 6 to 8 prenatal visits were enrolled. Women in the two units exhibited differences in some variables, including prenatal care (p = 0.01), maternal and fetal risk (p = 0.00; OR = 6.17), and gestational age (p = 0.00), but no differences in fish consumption (p = 0.29), frequency of fish intake (p = 0.40), allergic symptoms (p = 0.51), or frequency of anti-Anisakis reactivity (p = 0.22). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only age was independently associated with postpartum anti-Anisakis reactivity. This study confirmed a low prevalence of fish intake and suggested that Anisakis spp. had no impact on high-risk pregnancies among this postpartum study population.

A new quill mite species Stibarokris mariasi sp. nov. (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) is described from the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus (Gmelin) (Procellariiformes: Procellariidae) from Johnston Atoll. Females of S. mariasi sp. nov. differ from most similar species S. phoeniconaias Skoracki and OConnor, 2010 by the longitudinal branch of the peritremes consisting of 11-14 chambers (vs 15-17 chambers in S. phoeniconaias), the movable cheliceral digit 145 long (vs 170), setal bases c1 situated distinctly anterior to the level of setae se (vs setal bases c1 and se situated at the same transverse level), the propodonotal shield punctate on the whole surface (vs propodonotal shield punctate at the lateral margins), the small, balloonlike hysteronotal shield, bearing bases of setae d1 and densely punctate on the whole surface (vs hysteronotal shield bearing setal bases d1 and e2 and punctate at the anterior part), the pseudanal setae ps1 1.8 times longer than setae ps2 (vs setae ps1 and ps2 subequal in length), subequal lengths of setae h1 and f1 (vs setae h1 twice longer than f1) and the lengths of setae ag1, ag2, and ag3 145-170, 105-125, 120-165, respectively (vs ag1, ag2 and ag3 245-285, 245-270, 330-340, respectively). A key to all known species of the genus Stibarokris Kethley, 1970 is proposed.

Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and risk factors with infection were assessed in dairy cattle from Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NXHAR), northwest China. In total, 1657 serum samples were collected and assayed by the modified agglutination test. The overall seroprevalence was 4.83% at a 1:100 cut-off, with titers of 1:100 in 72, 1:200 in 4, 1:400 in 4. Among the risk factors examined, no statistically significant difference was observed between T. gondii seroprevalence and regions or age of dairy cattle in the logistic regression analysis (P>0.05) and left out of the final model. However, numbers of pregnancies of dairy cattle was considered as main risk factor associated with T. gondii infection. Dairy cattle in nulliparity group (8.89%) had 6 times (OR=6.31, 95% CI, 2.69-14.83, P<0.001) higher risk of being seropositive compared to dairy cattle in 3 or above 3 pregnancies group (1.52%), followed by 1 pregnancy group (4.27%) had nearly 3 times (OR=2.89, 95% CI, 1.11-7.52, P = 0.03) higher risk of being seropositive compared to dairy cattle in 3 or above 3 pregnancies group, although no statistical difference was found between 2 pregnancies group and 3 or above 3 pregnancies group (P = 0.70). The results of this survey indicated the presence of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in Gansu Province and NXHAR, which enriches the epidemiological data of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in China, and is helpful to strengthen prevention and control of T. gondii infection in dairy cattle in these two regions.

Common dung beetles collected in the "Sobieski Forest" (eastern border of Warsaw suburbs) were examined for the occurrence and prevalence of infections or infestations with intestinal parasites and phoretic mites in relation to soil characteristics and quality of the forest habitat. Endoparasitic fauna was represented by gregarines Didymophyes paradoxa, microsporidians Plistophora geotrupina and cysticerkoids of 2 tapeworms - Ditestolepis diaphana and Staphylocystis furcate. Prevalence of these infections was higher for beetles collected from rich habitats. Acarofauna was represented by hypopodes of Sancassania geotruporum (Astigmatina, Acaridae) and the following taxa of mesostigmatic mites: Alliphis halleri, Macrocheles glaber, Parasitus coleoptratorum and unidentified juvenile Laelapidae representative. Mites were most abundant in June, July and September. They were only slightly more numerously found on dung beetles from the rich habitats. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling, MDS (2D stress = 0.13) revealed significant similarities in the distribution of mite taxa between poor and rich sites and among the investigated months (June, July and September).

Cosmocercoides malayensis sp. nov. (Nematoda, Cosmocercidae) from the large intestine of Gonocephalus liogaster (Squamata, Agamidae) from Peninsular Malaysia is described and illustrated. Cosmocercoides malayensis sp. nov. represents the 23 rd species assigned to the genus and the 10 th species from the Oriental biogeographical region. Cosmocercoides malayensis sp. nov. differs from the previously described Oriental species in number and position of rosette papillae; however, it is most similar to C. bufonis and C. rickae in that these 3 species have 6 post cloacal rosette papillae. Cosmocercoides bufonis possesses a prebulbar copular swelling, which is absent in C. malayensis; C. rickae posssesess somatic papillae, which are absent in C. malayensis. Three addtional nematode species were found, adult specimens of Meteterakis singaporensis and Orneoascaris sandoshami and larva of Physocephalus sp.

Cryptosporidium is an important protozoan parasite affecting HIV/AIDS patients. To determine the prevalence and the species of Cryptosporidium spp by developing a rapid and efficient real-time PCR-RFLP test. A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected adults from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Stool specimens were examined by microscopic evaluation and real-time PCR-RFLP. Out of 242 HIV-infected adults, 10 (4.1%) cases of Cryptosporidium were identified by microscopic examination. Using PCR-RFLP, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp was 5.4% (n = 13). All the 13 cases of Cryptosporidium spp had the stage of AIDS of HIV infection. Extracted DNA was amplified by nested PCR targeting a 1030-bp fragment of the 18s RNA gene. RFLP analysis identified one C. parvum, four C. hominis and one non determined Cryptosporidium. The capacity to detect C. parvum, C. hominis and non-determined Cryptosporidium was present among our HIV-infected patients.

The north-eastern part of Poland is considered an area of high risk for infection with tick-borne diseases, including with human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agents. The etiological agent of HGE is Anaplasma phagocytophilum. As the animal reservoir for A. phagocytophilum in the environment serve the species from Cervidae and Bovidae families. European bison (Bison bonasus) and elk (Alces alces) are the big ruminant species, reintroduced to the forests of Middle Europe after many decades of absence. In the foci of zoonotic diseases they are able to play a role as natural reservoir to pathogens, however, their status as protected animals means their study has been rare and fragmentary. The studies of B. bonasus were conducted in Białowieża Primeval Forest and A. alces in Biebrza National Park. PCR amplifications were performed using primers amplifing the end of the groES gene, the intergenic spacer and approximately two-thirds of the groEL gene in the first round, and primers that span a 395-bp region of the groEL gene were used in the second round. The positive results were obtained in B. bonasus and A. alces, the prevalence of infection was 66.7 and 20.0%, respectively. Randomly selected samples were sequenced, sequences were compared with GenBank entries using Blast N2.2.13 and determined as A. phagocytophilum. The results presented herein are the first record of the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in A. alces, and at the same time confirm the previous observations regarding the infection of B. bonasus with A. phagocytophilum.

Pseudoterranova larvae parasitizing cutlassfish Trichiurus lepturus and bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix from Southwest Atlantic coast of Brazil were studied in this work by morphological, ultrastructural and molecular approaches. The genetic analysis were performed for the ITS2 intergenic region specific for Pseudoterranova decipiens, the partial 28S (LSU) of ribosomal DNA and the mtDNA cox-1 region. We obtained results for the 28S region and mtDNA cox-1 that was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships between sequences of this study and sequences from the GenBank. The morphological profile indicated that all the nine specimens collected from both fish were L3 larvae of Pseudoterranova sp. The genetic profile confirmed the generic level but due to the absence of similar sequences for adult parasites on GenBank for the regions amplifyied, it was not possible to identify them to the species level. The sequences obtained presented 89% of similarity with Pseudoterranova decipiens (28S sequences) and Contracaecum osculatum B (mtDNA cox-1). The low similarity allied to the fact that the amplification with the specific primer for P. decipiens didn´t occur, lead us to conclude that our sequences don’t belong to P. decipiens complex.

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence and coinfection rates of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genotypes in Ixodes ricinus (L.) ticks sampled from diverse localities in central and eastern regions of Poland. In years 2009-2011, questing nymphs and adults of I. ricinus were collected using a flagging method at 18 localities representing distinct ecosystem types: urban green areas, suburban forests and rural woodlands. Molecular detection of B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies was based on amplification of a fla gene using nested PCR technique, subsequent PCR-RFLP analysis and bidirectional sequencing. It was revealed that 45 samples (2.1%) harboured two different B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies, whereas triple infections with various spirochetes was found in 11 (0.5%) individuals. Generally, the highest average coinfection rates were evidenced in arachnids gathered at rural woodlands, intermediate at suburban forests, while the lowest were recorded at urban green areas. Overall, single spirochete infections were noted in 16.3% (n = 352/2,153) ticks. Importantly, it is the first report evidencing the occurrence of Borrelia miyamotoi (0.3%, n = 7/2153) in I. ricinus populations within central Poland. Circumstantial variability of B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies in the common tick individuals sampled at various habitat types in central and eastern Poland was displayed. The coexistence of two or three different spirochete genospecies in single adult ticks, as well as the presence of B. miyamotoi were demonstrated. Therefore, further studies uncovering the co-circulation of the tested bacteria and other human pathogens in I. ricinus ticks are required.

Few molecular studies have identified the current status of cystic echinococcosis in Egypt. The present study aimed to ascertain the genotype(s) of Echinococcus granulosus responsible for human hydatidosis in different Egyptian governorates (regions). Animal isolates were collected from 40 camels, 5 pigs and 44 sheep. 27 human isolates were included in the present study. Specific PCR was performed and followed by DNA sequencing for mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene and BLAST analysis.The sheep cysts were not hydatid cysts. G6 genotype (camel starin) predominates in human, camel and pig isolates. G7 genotype (pig strain) was detected in two human isolates and one pig isolate. G1 genotype (sheep strain) was detected in one human isolate from Yemen and in no animal isolates. This is the first record of G7 in Egypt and G1 in Yemen.

In 2008-2011 ticks were collected from southern Poland. Out of 6336 individuals collected and identified as Ixodes ricinus, 768 (2 larvae, 84 nymphs, 417 females, 265 males) were included in molecular study. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and types of genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect the presence of pathogens in ticks. Subsequently the amplified DNA was digested with TasI enzyme. The infection rate was 15% (116) of examined ticks. PCR-RFLP analysis allowed distinguishing three genospecies of B. burgdorferi s.l.: B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii, and B. garinii. RFLP analyses of 116 positive samples revealed 96 (83%) monoinfections and 13 (11%) coinfections, whereas unidentified genospecies were present in 7 (6%) of positive samples. In the case of monoinfections, B. burgdorferi s.s. was the predominant species of pathogen in infected ticks - 61.4%. Other genospecies: B. garinii and B. afzelii were detected in 22.9% and 15.6% of the samples, respectively. To sum up, 15 % of ticks were infected by B. burgdorferi s.l which increases the risk of human infections in the recreational areas of southern Poland. Furthermore, there is a need to increase public awareness and implement more preventive measures concerning Lyme disease.

Cosmocerca leytensis sp. nov. (Ascaridida, Cosmocercidae) from the large intestine of Cyrtodactylus gubaot (Squamata: Gekkonidae) collected on Leyte Island, Philippines is described and illustrated. Cosmocerca leytensis sp. nov. is the 30 th species assigned to the genus, the 4 th from the Oriental region, and the first from the Philippine Islands. The new species is most similar to those species possessing 4 pairs of plectanes, i.e., C. archeyi, C. australis, C. oroensis, and C sardiniae. Cosmocerca sardiniae lacks lateral alae; C. archeyi, C. australis, C. leytensis sp. nov. and C. oroensis possess lateral alae. Spicule length of C. oroensis is less than 75 μm, while C. archeyi, C. australis, and C. leytensis sp. nov. have spicule lengths greater than 75 μm. Males of C. australis possess 2 pairs of rosette caudal papillae, which are lacking in C. archeyi and C. leytensis sp. nov. Females of C. archeyi posses a conical tail, females of C. leytensis sp. nov. have a rounded posterior end supporting a flexible filament.

Background: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a parasitic disease resulting from the intrahepatic growth of Echinococcus multilocularis larva. This zoonotic helminthic disease is rare but, if left untreated or treated too late, can be severe or even fatal. In France, endemic areas containing infected foxes have become larger, spreading towards western regions of the country and leading to an increased risk of environmental contamination. An observational survey was undertaken in 2014 to assess the level of knowledge of AE among primary care physicians (PCPs) and pharmacists in the Franche-Comté region. Methods: Standardized questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 183 PCPs and 236 pharmacists practicing in the Franche-Comté region (eastern France), requesting their voluntary and anonymous participation. The questionnaires collected socio-demographic details, self-evaluation and asked multiple choice questions (MCQs) about epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and management of AE. Results: The crude response rate was 37.5% of the PCPs and pharmacists questioned. Responses to MCQs showed that most of the participating PCPs and pharmacists had acceptable basic knowledge of AE, especially concerning epidemiology and prevention of the disease. However, a serious lack of knowledge was observed concerning the management of AE. Conclusion: PCPs are often the first health professionals to suspect latent AE, which is still a rural disease in France. Both PCPs and pharmacists play an important role in informing and referring patients potentially exposed to AE. This study shows that although AE is rare, PCPs and pharmacists of the Franche-Comté region have a satisfactory level of knowledge of AE.

A single morphologic type of Sarcocystis cysts found in two out of 43 examined common coots, Fulica atra, is considered to represent a new species for which the name Sarcocystis atraii n. sp. is proposed and its description is provided. Coots were hunted from the vicinity of Brolos Lake located at KafrElsheikh province, Egypt. The structural morphology of the revealed sarcocysts was described using light and transmission electron microscopy. Sarcocysts were found in the leg and thigh muscles. The cysts were microscopic and measured 165−850 μm in length × 50−85 μm in width. Histologically; the sarcocyst wall was wavy and had minute undulations. Ultrastructurally, it measured 1−3 μm in thickness and possessed many mushroom-like villar protrusions sometimes originating from other mushroom-like villar protrusions that measured approximately 0.5−2 μm in length and up to 2 μm in width, with the presence of electron dense ground substance of 300 nm to 1 μm thick. The bradyzoites were elongated, banana-shaped and measured 7.5−14 × 1.5−2.5 μm, with centrally or terminally located nuclei. The ultrastructural features of the cyst wall belonged to type 24. On the basis of sequencing and phylogenic analyses for 18S rRNA , 28S rRNA genes and ITS-1 region; S. atraii n. sp. is considered a genetically distinct species, being most closely related to avian Sarcocystis spp. whose definitive hosts are predatory mammals.

Auto-infection is a life history strategy used by many parasitic organisms, including digenetic trematodes. The process of autoinfection most frequently involves the transfer of a life cycle stage of the parasite from one site to another inside the same host, usually accompanied by morphological transformation. Moreover, among trematodes, the stage being transferred may also move from one host to another in completing the life cycle, i.e., an indirect cycle. Echinostoma spp. parasites offer the opportunity to study auto-infection because they utilize gastropods as both first and second intermediate hosts. Rejection of a null model predicting independent infection of first and second intermediate larval stages coupled with the presence of rediae being the best predictor of metacercariae prevalence and intensity suggests that auto-infection by Echinostoma spp. cercariae is occurring in their molluscan hosts. Shell length was also found to be a significant predictor of metacercariae intensity in the snails hosts, but this is most likely attributed to larger snails being more commonly infected with Echinostoma spp. rediae as opposed to an increased likelihood of cercariae infection. Auto-infection as a life history strategy increases transmission success of the parasite, but may also have negative consequences for the parasite that necessitate auto-infection coupled with the release of cercariae to maximize transmission success and host survival.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii among horses and its associated risk factors in Alagoas, Brazil. In total, 440 samples from 36 properties in 23 districts of the state of Alagoas were studied, covering the Leste, Agreste and Sertão mesoregions. Risk factors were evaluated through the application of an investigative questionnaire that focused on the productive, reproductive and sanitary management of herds. T. gondii infection were assayed using the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with a cutoff point of 64; 14.4% (95% CI: 11.0%-17.8%) of - horses were seropositive. A significant association was determined between anti-T. gondii antibody presence and the consumption and storage of hay (OR = 2.08 / 95% CI: 1.20-3.62). This is the first report of T. gondii infection among horses in the state of Alagoas, Brazil.

The present survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of cardiopulmonary helminths in red foxes in Pyrenees area and to evaluate the role of foxes in the eco-epidemiology of these nematodes. Hearts and entire respiratory tracts were obtained from 87 foxes from Vall d’Aran region, Pyrenees, Catalonia, north-eastern Spain. The cardiopulmonary tracts were dissected, flushed and examined for nematodes using sedimented flushing water. Of the 87 examined foxes, 53 (61%) were positive for cardiopulmonary helminths. The identified nematodes were Crenosoma vulpis (44.8%), Eucoleus aerophilus (29.9%) and Angiostrongylus vasorum (3.4%). Statistical differences were observed only on comparing age and C.vulpis prevalence, with young foxes being more infected than adults. The high prevalence of cardiopulmonary nematodes suggested that red foxes may play an important role in their transmission and maintenance in the studied area.

Agritourism provides ecological tourist services for urban dwellers in rural areas. Agritourism farms offer space and attractive scenery for people seeking to rest in quiet place and wanting healthy, outdoor recreational activities. The high epidemiological standard of agritourism farms is beneficial for the health of the farm owners and the guests. Upgraded level of the farm sanitation, also from parasitological point of view is of great importance, especially that among agritourism farms guests predominate families with small children. A field survey was carried out in 57 farms in central-eastern Poland to evaluate the environmental risk factors for geohelminth infections on agritourism farms offering tourist services for urban dwellers. Samples of soil were collected from 76 sites, i.e. yards surrounding houses, vegetable, fruit and flower gardens, playgrounds and sandpits. In addition, samples were taken from 27 public places of recreation (playgrounds at forest clearing) visited by agritourism farm guests. During visits the farms were inspected and the owners were questioned about their awareness of the threat of parasitic infections. Soil contamination with geohelminth eggs was found in 4 examined farms (7.0%), in one locality on each farm. The eggs of Toxocara spp. and Ascaris spp. were detected in single samples from 3 backyards (6.4%) and one sandpit (10.0%). In the soil samples from places of recreation outside the farms eggs of human or animal helminths were not identified. The results of this study showed that the risk of helminth infections on agritourism farms is low, since geohelminth eggs (1-3 per sample) were detected only in four samples (0.5%) among 760 collected from farms households. The farm owners must be aware of the importance of preventive measures to eliminate the environmental contamination with eggs of zoonotic soiltransmitted helminths. Special attention should be paid to the risk of intestinal parasites of cats of semi domestic behaviour migrating from neighbouring yards as well as of red foxes frequently observed in the vicinity of agritourism farms.

Babesia bovis is an important pathogen of bovine babesiosis and causes serious constraints on the health and productivity of domestic cattle in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Aiming to clarify the prevalence of B. bovis in China, a total of 2,364 cattle serum samples were randomly collected from 45 different areas of 17 provinces in China. Antibodies against B. bovis were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a recombinant C-terminal antigen of B. bovis rhoptry-associated protein-1 (RAP-1) to evaluate the prevalence of B. bovis. The results showed that the parasite was present in all of the investigated 17 provinces. The positive rate was from 6.40 to 47.27%, and the mean rate was 24.92%. These survey data will provide important information for designing control strategies for bovine babesiosis in China.

The present immuno-diagnostic method using soluble antigens from whole cell lysate antigen for trypanosomosis have certain inherent problems like lack of standardized and reproducible antigens, as well as ethical issues due to in vivo production, that could be alleviated by in vitro production. In the present study we have identified heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) from T. evansi proteome. The nucleotide sequence of T. evansi HSP70 was 2116 bp, which encodes 690 amino acid residues. The phylogenetic analysis of T. evansi HSP70 showed that T. evansi occurred within Trypanosoma clade and is most closely related to T. brucei brucei and T. brucei gambiense, whereas T. congolense HSP70 laid in separate clade. The two partial HSP70 sequences (HSP-1 from N-terminal region and HSP-2 from C-terminal region) were expressed and evaluated as diagnostic antigens using experimentally infected equine serum samples. Both recombinant proteins detected antibody in immunoblot using serum samples from experimental infected donkeys with T. evansi. Recombinant HSP-2 showed comparable antibody response to Whole cell lysate (WCL) antigen in immunoblot and ELISA. The initial results indicated that HSP70 has potential to detect the T. evansi infection and needs further validation on large set of equine serum samples.

Schistosomiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease, affects large number of host species. Currently affects 250-300 million people in tropic areas. Schistosoma pathogenic impact is hepatic periportal fibrosis; the parasite-induced inflammatory cellular activation promotes oxidative stress, resulting in lipid peroxidation (LPO), with subsequent increase in inflammatory mediators as malondialdehyde (MDA). This study was set up to reveal possible contribution of lipid peroxidation byproducts MDA in hepatic pathophysiology. Results displayed that MDA don’t tend to change in relation with either age, nor hepatic transaminases AST & ALT, while exhibited a significant increase in MDA levels in human schistosomiasis versus control group P<0.0001 (Mn. ± St.dev. 7.77 ± 3.59, 1.21 ± 0.28 nmol/ml) respectively. Moreover; MDA plasma levels in Schistosoma infected group correlated significantly with two hepatic fibrosis parameters; (a) ultrasonography graded periportal fibrosis P< 0.0001. Levels of MDA in hepatic fibrosis grades 0, I, II, III in Schistosoma infected group were (Mn. ± St.dev. 2.8 ± 0.64, 4.3 ± 1.2, 9.3 ± 1.6 and 10.8 ± 1.3 nmol/ml) respectively, (b) serum Hyaluronic acid (HA) P<0.0001 (spearman r = 0.77) as a reliable hepatic fibrosis marker. This implies a considerable role of LPO byproducts in schistosomiasis pathogenicity, and proposing malondialdehyde as a biomarker for schistosomiasis morbidity.

A new feather mite species, Tyrannidectes pteroptochi sp. n. (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae), is described from the Moustached Turca Pteroptochos megapodius Kittlitz, 1830 (Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae) in Chile. This is the first record of mites of the genus Tyrannidectes Mironov 2008 from this family of passerines. Tyrannidectes pteroptochi is clearly distinguished from all previously known Tyrannidectes species by having several unique features in females: whip-like hysteronotal macrosetae h2, hysteronotal setae h3 exceeding the length of the terminal appendages, and spiculiform pseudanal setae ps2 and ps3. A brief review of taxonomic works on the Tyrannidectes is provided.

Over the last decade a significant spread of Canine Vector Borne Diseases has been recorded in Central Europe. The aim of the study described here, was to collect current data on the occurrence and distribution of three major canine vector-borne pathogens in the veterinary clinical practice by a newly-developed commercial ELISA test for the detection of Dirofilaria immitis antigen as well as specific circulating antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Circulating D. immitis antigen was detected in five of 180 investigated sera samples. Two of D. immitis seropositive dogs revealed also microfilariae of D. repens in the blood and three of them were negative for the presence of microfilariae in the Knott´s test. From the practical point of view, the finding of D. immitis occult infections might influence existing knowledge about distribution of this species among dogs in Central European countries. In 11.7% of the tested dogs the presence of specific antibodies against A. phagocytophilum was confirmed. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. were detected in 2.8% of tested sera samples. Coinfection with A. phagocytophilum and B. burgdorferi s.l. was observed in two dogs from Košice district in south-eastern Slovakia. Our data point toward the presence of Canine Vector Borne Diseases in the studied area. Therefore, veterinarians should include these diseases in their differential diagnosis and higher awareness should be focused also on prophylactic measures to prevent the pathogens transmission by arthropod vectors.

The nematode Paraleptus chiloscyllii Yin et Zhang, 1983 (Physalopteridae) is redescribed on the basis of new material collected from the stomach of the Arabian carpetshark Chiloscyllium arabicum Gubanov (Hemiscylliidae) from marine waters off Iraq. Originally, P. chiloscyllii was found in C. plagiosum (Anonymous [Bennett]) from Fujian, China, but its description was rather poor and some important morphological features, such as deirids, shape and number of structures surrounding mouth, ventral unpaired papilla on the anterior cloacal lip, among others, were overlooked. It differs from its congeners in the shape of spicules and body length, although is very similar to the type species, P. scyllii Wu, 1927, only differing in the inequality of spicules. The generic diagnosis of Paraleptus was amended. Paraleptus minnanensis (Damin et Heqing, 2001) is considered a junior synonym of P. chiloscyllii and some morphological details of the posterior end of a male of P. australis Johnston et Mawson, 1943 are provided. The present finding of P. chiloscyllii in C. arabicum from off Iraq represents new host and geographical records.

A new monogenean species, Ligophorus yucatanensis n. sp. from the gills of the flathead mullet Mugil cephalus from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, is described. The new species can be differentiated from all other species of Ligophorus by the morphology of the accessory piece of the copulatory organ. Its main lobe is cylindrical, tunnelled expanded distally, slightly bowed with a characteristic membranous opening at level of medial bifurcation of the accessory piece, forming a thick-walled bulbshaped expansion that ends in a round labium. The secondary lobe is spatulate, straight, and shorter than the main lobe. In addition, the new species can be distinguished from other species by the morphology of the haptoral ventral bar, and the distal end of the vaginal duct. Furthermore the ventral anchors are shorter than those of all other species of Ligophorus reported in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. In addition, the zoogeographical records of Ligophorus spp. on the M. cephalus species complex are briefly reviewed and updated.

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of Demodex in the hair follicles of eyelashes and their potential participation in the aetiology of chalazion in patients in Poland. The study of the correlation between the presence of Demodex spp. and chalazion has never been performed in patients in Europe. There is, therefore, a justified necessity to check whether Demodex mites can be a potential risk factor in the development of chalazion in the European population. The samples were examined by light microscope, using standard parasitological methods. A positive result was assumed in the presence of Demodex spp. Demodex was detected in 91.67% of patients with a chalazion. The presence of Demodex was found in subjects from all examined age groups. The results of statistical analysis unambiguously determined the existence of an interrelationship between the presence of Demodex and chalazion. Our results clearly indicate the existence of a correlation between the occurrence of Demodex spp. and chalazion. Confirmation of the positive correlation between Demodex and chalazion in a European population provides further evidence for the pathogenic role of Demodex in the development of eye diseases.

This is the first record of the nematode parasite Schulzia travassosi (Trichostrongylina, Molineidae) in two Argentinean amphibians, Leptodactylus bufonius and Rhinella major, collected in two localities of the Chaco region, Las Lomitas (Formosa Province) and Taco Pozo (Chaco Province). The species was observed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compared with previous studies of Paraguayan specimens. Regarding metric characters, the measurements found in Argentinean specimens generally did not differ from those of Paraguayan specimens; some differences were observed in the total length of males and females (some longer and some shorter than Paraguayan specimens), length of the oesophagus (in almost all specimens shorter than in Paraguayan ones) and position of the vulva (nearer to posterior end in Argentinean specimens). The branches and sphincter of ovejector are slightly longer than in Paraguayan female specimens. In males, ray 4 is almost the same length as rays 2, 3 and 5, 6. Cephalic end, cephalic vesicle, synlophe and vulvar depression were viewed under SEM. Schulzia melanostictusi Chopra, Shing and Kumar, 1986 is reassigned as Oswaldocruzia melanostictusi (Chopra, Shing and Kumar, 1986) nov. comb.

This is the first study that used species-specific DNA primers to confirm the presence of the heterophyid Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa Ransom, 1920 in its first intermediate host. The larval stages (rediae and cercariae) of this parasite were morphologically and genetically identified in the gonad of the intertidal mud snail Heleobia australis (d’Orbigny, 1835) (Cochliopidae) in the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. In addition, we asked whether the prevalence in H. australis varied between seasons. Mullets - the second intermediate host of this heterophyid - migrate in estuaries during the warmer seasons and it is expected that piscivorous birds and mammals - the definitive hosts - prey more intensively on this species at those times. Thus, the number of parasite eggs released into the tidal flat within their feces should be higher, thereby increasing the ingestion of the parasite by H. australis.We therefore expected a higher prevalence of A. (P.) longa in H. australis in the Bahía Blanca estuary during spring and summer than autumn and winter. We found that 16 out of 2,744 specimens of H. australis had been infected with A. (P.) longa (total prevalence of 0.58%). Nonetheless, the prevalence showed no significant variation between seasons. Hence, we discuss an alternative scenario where the lack of seasonal changes might be mostly related to the permanent residence of definitive hosts in the estuary and not to the seasonal recruitment of mullets. Finally, we highlight the need for more experimental and comparative approaches in order to understand the diagnosis and geographical distribution of this worldwide heterophyid.

The unicellular parasite Giardia duodenalis has been divided to eight assemblages (A-H) from which A and B have the most important zoonotic potential. All remaining genotypes have a strong commitment to various host animals. We present here the first clinical case of a human infection with the dog-specific genotype C of G. duodenalis in Slovakia. The patient, 44-year-old woman, suffered from long-term diarrhoea, abdominal pain, anorexia, weight loss, severe itching and dermatitis in the perianal area. The initial microscopic diagnosis was completed by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which revealed the first evidence of human giardiasis caused by the dog-specific genotype of G. duodenalis on a European scale. A possible role of dogs in zoonotic transmission of giardiasis and its epidemiological and public health relevance is accentuated.