Investigation on Opisthorchis felineus occurrence and life cycle in Italy

Opisthorchiasis is a fish borne parasitic infection caused by helminths of the genus Opisthorchis (Digenea, Opisthorchiidae), affecting humans and other fish-eating mammals. Despite Opisthorchis felineus was first described in Italy in 1884, no cases of human opisthorchiasis were reported in this country until 2004; from then on, 4 outbreaks due to this species have been recorded in Central Italy. Following the more relevant of these outbreaks, involving 34 people in August 2007, snails, fishes and fecal samples collected from the Bolsena and Bracciano lakes (Central Italy) were analyzed in order to define the cycle of O. felineus in the area and investigate its prevalence in the different hosts. Pools of 20-40 snails each (4983 specimens altogether) of the genus Bithynia were analyzed by PCR for parasite DNA detection. Eight hundred and ninety-four fish belonging to 12 species were collected from the two lakes and tested for metacercariae both by muscle compression and digestion techniques. Eighty-seven fecal samples of 5 putative definitive host species were collected very close to the two lakes and tested for parasite eggs detection by formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique. Identification at the species level of metacercariae and eggs, respectively, from fish and stool was confirmed by PCR analysis and sequencing. O. felineus DNA was detected in 0.08% (overall minimum infection rate) of snails of the genus Bithynia from the two lakes. The tench, Tinca tinca, was the only fish found infested in both lakes (prevalence 88.5%). O. felineus eggs were found only in cat feces (prevalence 46.4%). The tench represents the only threat for the human consumption in the study area while Coregonus sp., the most economically important species for the local fishery and frequently consumed raw marinated, resulted to be not infected. The high prevalence recorded both in fish and in definitive host suggests a widespread and massive presence of the parasite in the area. Further studies are needed to better investigate the possible role of some cyprinids species as intermediate hosts, in order to check their safety for human consumption.     

Fasciola hepatica: an assessment on the vectorial capacity of Radix labiata and R. balthica commonly found in Belgium

A previous study conducted in Belgium revealed that genetic material of Fasciola sp. was present in snail species belonging to the genus Radix. Here, these snails were collected and identified by DNA-based techniques as Radix labiata and Radix balthica. These two species and Galba truncatula (the major intermediate host in Europe) were experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica. The resulting metacercariae were fed to rats and the infection was monitored using several techniques. Microscopy revealed the presence of larval stages in 78.3, 45, and 6.25% of G. truncatula, R. labiata, and R. balthica snails, respectively. These results were confirmed by a PCR that amplifies a Fasciola sp. specific sequence. Furthermore, this PCR was found to be more sensitive than microscopic examination. R. labiata shed fewer metacercariae than G. truncatula but these were as infective to rats as those shed by G. truncatula. This study demonstrates that R. labiata may act as an incidental intermediate host for F. hepatica in Belgium.     

Parasitological survey of the first intermediate host of Paragonimus westermani in Iga area of Mie Prefecture, Japan

During the period from September 1985 to March 1988, the freshwater snails, Semisulcospira libertina, were collected from 4 mountain rivers in Ayama County of Mie Prefecture, which is known as a heavily infected locality with Paragonimus westermani (Kerbert, 1878) Braun, 1899, and were examined for cercariae and rediae of this lung fluke. Of 3,000 snails studied, 80 (2.67%) harbored Paragonimus larvae. The infected snails were found at 3 sites in the Nishitani (A), Nenobi(B), and Higashitani (C) rivers. The infection rate of Paragonimus cercariae at these sites varied from 0.13 to 6.08%. The highest incidence (6.08%) of cercarial infection occurred at site A (Nishitani river), where the prevalence and intensity of infection with P. westermani metacercariae were considerably greater in the 2nd intermediate host crabs. No Paragonimus was observed in 776 snails collected at site D (Taki river), where the incidence and degree of metacercarial infection in crabs were quite small. There was a positive correlation between the infection incidence of P. westermani and the size of S. libertina; the percentage of infected snails increased in larger size classes, reaching 24.14% at a shell length of over 40 mm. In the 80 positive snails there were 51 mixed infections with P. westermani and 1 or 2 other species of trematode larvae. Of these, 43 were double infections and 8 triple. The morphological features of P. westermani cercaria and redia are described.     

Myocastor coypus as a reservoir host of Fasciola hepatica in France

To clarify the role of the nutria Myocastor coypus in the epidemiology of domestic fasciolosis in Loire-Atlantique (department of western France), 438 nutrias were trapped in 9 humid areas of the department and 304 nutrias were trapped in 3 farms where Fasciola hepatica was present; all animals were necropsied. Liver flukes were found in 160 nutrias: 38 nutrias randomly taken in the department (8.7%) and 122 trapped in fasciolosis areas (40.1%). The average parasitic burden was 5.7 flukes per nutria. Sixty-five percent of the liver flukes measured more than 18 mm (size of sexual maturity). The coproscopic examinations carried out on 144 infected nutrias showed that 90% of the infected nutrias shed fluke eggs. The hatching rate was 39.6%. Two groups of 100 Lymnaea truncatula snails, originating from 2 different populations, were exposed to F. hepatica miracidiae hatched from eggs collected from infected nutrias. The prevalence of the infection was 74% and 58.6% in the 2 groups of snails. The average redial burden was 6.2 rediae per snail. The total number of metacercariae was 72.4 metacercariae per snail producing cercariae. Two groups of 5 sheep were orally infected by 150 metacercariae of nutria or sheep origin, respectively. The installation rates of F. hepatica in sheep were respectively 31.6% and 29.6% for the two groups. Specific antibody kinetics of sheep were similar whether the metacercariae were of nutria or sheep origin. M. coypus allows the complete development of F. hepatica and releases parasitic elements that are infective for domestic ruminants. Because of its eco-ethologic characteristics, the nutria could be a potential wild reservoir of F. hepatica in France.     

Feeding Records of Captive Antelope at Jonkershoek

The complex life cycles of most trematode parasites include three hosts. The first intermediate host is a snail, the second is normally a teleost fish and a piscivorous bird serves as the definitive host. Lymnaeid snails are most likely to be responsible for cercarial shedding, which infect exposed fish and in turn are eaten by piscivorous birds. From 2008 to 2010 fish in the Okavango and Orange-Vaal River Systems were collected and dissected in order to determine the prevalence and intensity of larval trematode infections in the eyes and brains. This paper discusses the possible ecological factors which can influence the probability of certain fish species becoming infected with diplostomid cercariae and hence metacercariae. The feeding strategies and sizes of piscivorous birds, which could act as definitive hosts for the adult worms, are summarized and discussed. Information on the snail species responsible for furcocercous cercarial shedding in the two study sites is also included.     

Phenotypic differences in Schistosoma mattheei ova from populations sympatric and allopatric to S. haematobium

Schistosoma mattheei ova were collected from cattle in different localities in South Africa and after hatching, miracidia were used to infest Bulinus (Physopsis) globosus. Cercariae harvested from these snails were used to infest the definitive host Praomys (Mastomys) coucha and eggs from the resulting female S. mattheei were collected. These ova were compared with a Schistosoma haematobium X S. mattheei hybrid similarly collected from an infested P. (M.) coucha. The results indicate that S. mattheei populations which are sympatric to S. haematobium possess S. haematobium characteristics. It is suggested that the gene pools of populations of the parasite in these areas are infiltrated with S. haematobium genes via the S. mattheei X S. haematobium hybrid originating from human hosts.     

Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in the intermediate host Lymnaea truncatula detected by real time TaqMan PCR in populations from 70 Swiss farms with cattle husbandry

Bovine fasciolosis is an economically important parasitic disease. Quantitative real time PCR was utilized to determine the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in the snail intermediate host Lymnaea truncatula from 70 selected, infected Swiss cattle farms, and to gain information on the infection risk to the definitive host. Snails from 130 habitats (36 streams, 21 wells, 24 drainage ditches, 33 spring swamps, 14 reeds, 1 drainage shaft and 1 pond) originating from 71 dairy cow pastures, 39 pastures for young stock, 14 hay fields and 6 dry cow pastures were collected. Of these, 51 populations were found to be infected with F. hepatica. A total of 4733 snails were examined of which 331 were infected (7.0%). The numbers of snails collected from different sites ranged from 1 to 159 snails. Clustering of infection in snails was found on the farm of origin with a mixed logistic model with random effects. The risk of infection of L. truncatula with F. hepatica was significantly higher in populations originating from spring swamps, wells and reeds compared to populations from streams. In addition the risk of snail infection was significantly lower in populations collected in young stock and dry cow pastures compared to dairy cow pastures. The greater the population size collected from a habitat also increased the risk of an individual snail being infected.     

Longevity of Bolbophorus damnificus infections in channel catfish

The digenean Bolbophorus damnificus infects commercial channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, causing mortality, lower feed consumption, and reduced growth in surviving fish. The purpose of this study was to determine the length of time for which B. damnificus prodiplostomulum metacercariae (juvenile trematode stage that infects fish) would remain viable (parasite appearing to be intact or exhibiting movement) in channel catfish. Fish (n = 210) were infected with molecularly confirmed B. damnificus cercariae harvested from naturally infected marsh rams-horn snails Planorbella trivolvis. During the first sampling (at 20 d postinfection), 8.3 +/- 3.6 metacercariae/fish (mean +/- SD) were found in the host muscle and visceral organs. The channel catfish were then acclimated to a water temperature of either 18 degrees C or 28 degrees C. After 11 months, 6.8 +/- 3.5 and 5.9 +/- 3.0 metacercariae/fish were found in groups held at 18 degrees C and 28 degrees C, respectively. The mean number of parasites per fish did not significantly differ between fish held at the two temperatures and did not significantly decline over time at either temperature. Fish examined from 13 to 30 months postinfection all contained viable metacercariae that were morphologically and molecularly identified as B. damnificus. At 18 months, 12 metacercariae (of which 11 were intact and 10 displayed movement) were found in the one fish sampled; at 30 months, the last fish sampled contained three intact metacercariae (one displayed slight movement). Our results indicate that B. damnificus metacercariae can remain viable in channel catfish for at least an 18-30-month production cycle during which they have the potential to affect fish growth; in addition, infected fish may serve as intermediate hosts for these metacercariae for at least 2.5 years postinfection.     

The potential impact of exotic Lymnaea spp. on fascioliasis in Australasia

The presence of the following exotic Lymnaea spp. has been recently confirmed in Australia: L. columella (North and South America, South Africa, New Zealand,) L. viridis (China, Japan, Philippines, New Guinea, Pacific Area), L. auricularia rubiginosa (Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia) and L. peregra (Europe).In the present studies the relative susceptibility of the exotic snails noted above to Fasciola hepatica was investigated. Two of the species, L. columella and L. viridis, were found to be highly susceptible to the Australian strain of F. hepatica and a substantial number of viable metacercariae were produced. However a strong disparity in the host— parasite relationship was evident when the parthenogenetic development of the fluke in the two exotic snails was compared with that in the native L. tomentosa. It was concluded that L. tomentosa is a more suitable intermediate host for F. hepatica than any of the introduced exotic species, but it has to be considered that the host—parasite relationships between new combinations of Fasciola and Lymnaea spp. may improve by adaptation. In view of the results of the present studies the potential danger of fascioliasis spreading to areas currently not endemic in Australasia through introduced exotic snails is discussed with particular reference to Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.There is strong circumstantial evidence that the exotic snails were introduced with aquatic plants through the relatively free overseas and Australian trade. Similarly, through the introduction of infected snails, dangerous parasites such as F. gigantica of cattle and sheep or Schistosoma ssp. which cause serious diseases of man and animals could enter the subtropical or tropical regions of Australia. Appropriate State and Federal quarantine regulations are essential to prevent further introduction and spread of the snails, and monitoring of the distribution of established exotic snails in Australasia must be continuous.     

Biology of cestodes of domestic ducks and wild water birds

Life cycles of 16 cestode species of the families Hymenolepididae and Diploposthidae were studied in 52 ponds of the State Fishery in Bohemia and Moravia. The parasites were recovered from domestic ducks kept on the ponds and from wild birds, mostly of the genera Anas and Aythya, occurring in these water biotopes. Cestode larvae were found in 9 species of Copepoda (9669 out of 1 600 200 examined specimens, i. e. 0.6%) and 3 species of Ostracoda (500 out of 272 300 examined specimens, i. e. 0.18%). Five species of water snails serving as reservoir hosts harboured cysticercoids of 5 cestode species (680 out of 10 212 examined specimens, i. e. 6%). The studies of cestode life cycle under natural conditions were supplemented with 680 successful experiments with intermediate hosts and 179 successful experiments with definitive hosts. The development of larvae was related to the temperature and lasted approximately 13-20 days at 18-25 degrees C. The highest intensity of infection occurred incrustaceans under experimental conditions, a lower intensity was found in crustaceans from duck farms and the lowest in crustaceans from other parts of ponds (e. g., in the case of Fimbriaria fasciolaris in Copepoda, 37, 22 and 10 cysticercoids). The intermediate hosts infected with cestode larvae can live for 3-6 weeks (Copepoda) and 4-7 weeks (Ostracoda) and after invagination of cysticercoids for 20-25 days, on the average. The cysticercoids survive their hosts for 14-18 h at 4-6 degrees C, for 10-11 h at 12-14 degrees C, for 6-7 h at 18-20 degrees C and for 3-4 h at 24-26 degrees C. If they are swallowed by water snails at that time (dead crustaceans are a component of their food), they survive in their digestive tract even for two years (the longest period demonstrated experimentally) and after this time they are able to develop into an adult cestode in the definitive host. The infectivity of cysticercoids increases with their age. It is the lowest immediately after invagination (10-15%), during the stay of cysticercoids in crustaceans it gradually increases (30-60% on days 10-20 after invagination) and it is the highest in cysticercoids from snails (45-55% after 20-50 days in snails, 60-80% after 50-100 days in snails and 70-90% after more than 100 days in snails).     

Genetic diversity analysis of the ORF5 gene in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus samples from South China

To understand the genetic diversity of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in South China, we collected 231 clinical samples from pigs with suspected PRRSV infection in Guangdong between 2007 and 2009. We found that 74 of 231 samples were positive by RT-PCR. The PCR products of the ORF5 gene of 35 isolates from different farms were sequenced and their DNA sequences were compared to 23 other PRRSV isolates in the GenBank. We found that the nucleotide similarity among all South China isolates ranged from 87.6% to 100%, and all belonged to the North American genotype. Most of them were classified into subgenotype I, but the rest mapped to subgenotypes III, V or VI. Those in subgenotypes I and III were found to be highly variable in the primary neutralising epitope (PNE) with a specific amino acid mutation (F39/L39→I39), and a few isolates in subgenotypes I and III isolates also had a mutation at L41 (L41→S41). PRRSV isolates in subgenotypes III, V and VI had less potential glycosylation sites than those in subgenotype I. Our data contribute to the understanding of molecular variation of PRRSV in South China.     

Rhodococcus equi virulence plasmids recovered from horses and their environment in Jeju, Korea: 90-kb type II and a new variant, 90-kb type V

Rhodococcus equi was isolated from fecal and soil samples from four native Jeju horse farms and six Thoroughbred farms in Jeju, Korea. The isolates were examined for the presence of virulence-associated 15-17-kDa antigens (VapA) by colony blotting, using the monoclonal antibody 10G5, and for the gene encoding VapA by PCR. R. equi was isolated from all 36 soil samples collected from the 10 farms with between 5.0 x 10(2) and 7.5 x 10(4) colony-forming units (cfu) per gram of soil, and from 37 of 40 fecal samples with between 5.0 x 10(1) and 1.1 x 10 (5) cfu per gram of feces. Virulent R. equi was isolated from seven farms and appeared in 2.0% of isolates (10 of 508). Of the 10 virulent isolates, four contained a 90-kb type II plasmid, which has been found in isolates from the Kiso native horses of Japan, and the other six contained a new variant, which did not display the EcoRI and EcoT22I digestion patterns of the 10 representative plasmids already reported (85-kb types I, II, III, and IV; 87-kb types I and II; 90-kb types I, II, III, and IV). We designated the new variant as the "90-kb type V" plasmid, because its EcoRI digestion pattern is similar to that of the 90-kb type II plasmid. This is the first report of the prevalence of virulent R. equi in Jeju, Korea. The same virulence plasmid type is found in both Korean and Japanese isolates, providing insight into the origin, ancestry, and dispersal of native horses in Korea and Japan.     

Epidemiological studies of amphistome infections in cattle in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe

During the period between January 1999 and December 2000, the distribution and seasonal patterns of amphistome infections in cattle in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe were determined through monthly coprological examination. Cattle faecal samples were collected from 12 and nine dipping sites in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas, respectively. Patterns of distribution and seasonal fluctuations of intermediate host-snail populations and the climatic factors influencing the distribution were also determined by sampling at monthly intervals for a period of 24 months (November 1998 to October 2000) in six dams and six streams in the highveld and in nine dams in the lowveld communal grazing areas. Each site was sampled for relative snail density and the vegetation cover and type, physical and chemical properties of water, and mean monthly rainfall and temperature were recorded. Aquatic vegetation and grass samples 0-1 m from the edges of the snail habitats were collected monthly to determine the presence or absence of amphistome metacercariae. Snails collected at the same time were individually checked for the emergence of larval stages of amphistomes. A total of 16,264 (calves 5418, weaners 5461 and adults 5385) faecal samples were collected during the entire period of the study and 4790 (29.5%) of the samples were positive for amphistome eggs. For both regions the number of animals positive for amphistome eggs differed significantly between the 2 years, with the second year having a significantly higher prevalence (P < 0.01) than the first year. Significantly higher prevalences were found in the highveld compared to the lowveld (P < 0.001), for adult cattle than calves (P < 0.01), and in the wet over the dry season (P < 0.01). Faecal egg output peaked from October to March in both years of the study. Bulinus tropicus, Bulinus forskalii and Biomphalaria pfeifferi were recorded from the study sites. The main intermediate host for amphistomes was B. tropicus with a prevalence of infection of 8.5%. However, amphistome cercariae were also recorded in Biom. pfeifferi and B. forskalii. Amphistome cercariae were recorded from both the highveld and lowveld areas with peak prevalence during the post-rainy season (March to May). Metacercariae were found on herbage from the fringes of the snail habitats between February and August, with most of the metacercariae concentrated on herbage 0-1 m from the edges of the habitats. Based on the epidemiological findings a control programme was devised. From this study, large burdens of immature flukes could be expected in cattle during the dry months. Since adult cattle would be resistant to the pathogenic effects of the migrating immature amphistomes the target for control would be young animals being exposed to the infection for the first time. Therefore, the first anthelmintic treatment can be administered in calves in mid June when maximum migration of immature amphistomes starting 3-4 weeks after infection in the early dry season would be expected. A second treatment could be given in late July or early August to remove potentially dangerous burdens of immature flukes acquired later in the dry season. Where resources permit, another strategy would be to treat against the mature flukes in March or April in order to reduce the number of eggs deposited on pastures and the opportunity for infection of the intermediate host snails. To reduce cercarial shedding by the intermediate host snails molluscicides can also be applied during the peak transmission periods (April/May and August/September).     

The laboratory maintenance of field-collected Lymnaea tomentosa for the production of Fasciola hepatica metacercariae

A culture method is described for the production of Fasciola hepatica metacercariae in Lymnaea tomentosa collected from the field habitat. Two-litre glass jars, filled with artificial spring (A.S.) water and having a substratum of soil-bentonite (S.B.) agar to provide habitat and food, maintain groups of 40 to 100 snails graded according to size. Small quantities of washed lettuce are fed as a supplement. Compressed air, pre-warmed to 25°C, is piped to each jar to maintain thermoregulation, aeration, filtration and circulation of the water. Infection is achieved by reducing the A.S. water level to 3–4 mm and exposing the snails to miracidia for 6 h. During the aquatic developmental phase of 5–6 weeks, twice-weekly changes of A.S. water and the filter minimise proliferation of protozoans and Chaetogaster spp. Accumulation of mature cercariae is achieved by sustaining the infected snails on moist S.B. agar while humidification within the jar is maintained. Alternatively, groups of five to ten snails may be held in disposable petri dishes lined with S.B. agar. Maturation of cercariae may be delayed by refrigeration at 4–5°C. Upon maximum accumulation, the cercariae are harvested by dissection of the snails and metacercariae are stored in plastic containers at 4°C.     

Epidemiological studies of Fasciola gigantica infections in cattle in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe

During the period between January 1999 and December 2000, the distribution and seasonal patterns of Fasciola gigantica infections in cattle in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas of Zimbabwe were determined through monthly coprological examination. Cattle faecal samples were collected from 12 and nine dipping sites in the highveld and lowveld communal grazing areas respectively. Patterns of distribution and seasonal fluctuations of the intermediate host-snail populations and the climatic factors influencing the distribution were also determined by sampling at monthly intervals for a period of 24 months (November 1998 to October 2000) in six dams and six streams in the highveld and in nine dams in the lowveld communal grazing areas. Each site was sampled for relative snail density and the vegetation cover and type, physical and chemical properties of water, and mean monthly rainfall and temperature were recorded. Aquatic vegetation and grass samples 0-1 m from the edges of the snail habitats were collected monthly to determine the presence or absence of F. gigantica metacercariae. Snails collected at the same time were individually checked for the emergence of larval stages of F. gigantica. A total of 16264 (calves 5418; weaners 5461 and adults 5385) faecal samples were collected during the entire period of the study and 2500 (15.4%) of the samples were positive for F. gigantica eggs. Significantly higher prevalences were found in the highveld compared to the lowveld (P < 0.001), for adult cattle than calves (P < 0.01) and in the wet season over the dry season (P < 0.01). Faecal egg output peaked from August/September to March/April for both years of the study. Lymnaea natalensis, the snail intermediate host of F. gigantica was recorded from the study sites with the highveld having a significantly higher abundance of the snail species than the lowveld (P < 0.01). The snail population was low between December and March and started to increase in April reaching a peak in September/October. The number of juvenile snails peaked between April and August. The mean number of snails collected was negatively correlated with rainfall and positively correlated with temperature. Mean number of snails collected was also positively correlated with Potamogeton plant species and negatively correlated with Cyperus plant species. However, none of the L. natalensis collected from the habitats were found shedding Fasciola cercariae. Metacercariae were found on herbage from the fringes of the snail habitats between February and August for both years, with most of the metacercariae concentrated on herbage 0-1 m from the banks of the habitats. Based on the findings of this study, anthelmintic treatment should be administered in December/January to control chronic and mature fasciolosis. A second treatment should be given in April/May to reduce pasture contamination and subsequently snail infection, as this is the time the snail population starts to build up. To control acute fasciolosis due to the immature liver flukes a third treatment should be given in August. The first application of molluscicides to control the snail intermediate hosts can be done in June the time when the snail is harbouring the parasite and a second application in September in order to kill new generations of infected snails     

Bovine intestinal cellular responses following primary and challenge infections with Calicophoron microbothrium metacercariae

This study was carried out to establish whether cattle can develop resistance to re-infection by Calicophoron microbothrium by assessing the response of intestinal mucosal globule leukocytes, eosinophils, mast cells and basophils, and the establishment of the parasite in the host. A total of 24 1-year-old Tuli steers were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each and infected with C. microbothrium metacercariae. On the first day of the study, animals in Groups I and II were immunized with 5000 metacercariae and then challenged with 15,000 metacercariae on Day 150 post-immunization. Animals in Group III were immunized with 15,000 metacercariae at the same time that Groups I and II animals were challenged to act as a positive control group. Animals in Group IV were left uninfected and acted as a negative control group. Three animals from each group were slaughtered on Day 28 post-challenge and the remainder were slaughtered on Day 42 post-challenge. The established amphistomes were recovered and histopathological and cytological examinations were done on the jejunum, duodenum, abomasum and the rumen. The establishment rates of the challenge infection in the immunized and challenged groups were lower and ranged from 0 to 0.2% as compared to 6% from naive animals infected as positive controls. Animals immunized and then challenged with C. microbothrium had significantly higher eosinophil, mast cell and globule leukocytes counts in the intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05) as compared to those of the control group. The study indicates that cattle can develop resistance to C. microbothrium re-infection and that eosinophils and mast cells may be important cells in the rejection of the parasite.     

A comparison of two laboratory methods of maintaining field-collected Lymnaea tomentosa for the production of Fasciola hepatica metacercariae

Four replicates of 50 field-collected Lymnaea tomentosa were maintained in two laboratory culture systems and their efficiency and practicability for the production of Fasciola hepatica metacercariae were assessed. There was no significant difference in the total number of metacercariae produced (56 552 from 64 snails in the closed container system and 54 073 from 82 snails in the shallow aquarium system).There was no significant difference between culture systems as assessed by snail survival, the number of infected snails or the number of infected snails harvested for the recovery of metacercariae. Within both systems there was a significant effect of snail size on the number of metacercariae produced. Optimum survival and production of metacercariae was achieved in young adult snails of 5–8 mm shell length at the time of infection.The collection of L. tomentosa from the field habitat and their maintenance in either culture system was shown to be a practical alternative to the breeding of laboratory adapted strains of L. tomentosa for the regular production of large numbers of F. hepatica metacercariae.     

Longevity of Bolbophorus damnificus Infections in Channel Catfish

Abstract

The digenean Bolbophorus damnificus infects commercial channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, causing mortality, lower feed consumption, and reduced growth in surviving fish. The purpose of this study was to determine the length of time for which B. damnificus prodiplostomulum metacercariae (juvenile trematode stage that infects fish) would remain viable (parasite appearing to be intact or exhibiting movement) in channel catfish. Fish (n = 210) were infected with molecularly confirmed B. damnificus cercariae harvested from naturally infected marsh rams-horn snails Planorbella trivolvis. During the first sampling (at 20 d postinfection), 8.3 ± 3.6 metacercariae/fish (mean ± SD) were found in the host muscle and visceral organs. The channel catfish were then acclimated to a water temperature of either 18°C or 28°C. After 11 months, 6.8 ± 3.5 and 5.9 ± 3.0 metacercariae/fish were found in groups held at 18°C and 28°C, respectively. The mean number of parasites per fish did not significantly differ between fish held at the two temperatures and did not significantly decline over time at either temperature. Fish examined from 13 to 30 months postinfection all contained viable metacercariae that were morphologically and molecularly identified as B. damnificus. At 18 months, 12 metacercariae (of which 11 were intact and 10 displayed movement) were found in the one fish sampled; at 30 months, the last fish sampled contained three intact metacercariae (one displayed slight movement). Our results indicate that B. damnificus metacercariae can remain viable in channel catfish for at least an 18–30-month production cycle during which they have the potential to affect fish growth; in addition, infected fish may serve as intermediate hosts for these metacercariae for at least 2.5 years postinfection.

Received July 14, 2010; accepted March 6, 2011     

Has Sarcocystis neurona Dubey et al., 1991 (Sporozoa: Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) cospeciated with its intermediate hosts?

The question of how Sarcocystis neurona is able to overcome species barrier and adapt to new hosts is central to the understanding of both the evolutionary origin of S. neurona and the prediction of its field host range. Therefore, it is worth reviewing current knowledge on S. neurona host specificity. The available host range data for S. neurona are discussed in relation to a subject of evolutionary importance—specialist or generalist and its implications to understand the strategies of host adaptation. Current evidences demonstrate that a wide range of hosts exists for S. neurona. This parasite tends to be highly specific for its definitive host but much less so for its intermediate host (I.H.). The unique specificity of S. neurona for its definitive host may be mediated by a probable long coevolutionary relationship of the parasite and carnivores in a restricted ecological niche ‘New World’. This might be taken as evidence that carnivores are the ‘original’ host group for S. neurona. Rather, the capacity of S. neurona to exploit an unusually large number of I.H. species probably indicates that S. neurona maintains non-specificity to its I.H. as an adaptive response to insure the survival of the parasite in areas in which the ‘preferred’ host is not available. This review concludes with the view that adaptation of S. neurona to a new host is a complex interplay that involves a large number of determinants.     

大片形吸虫幼虫的培育及其感染小鼠的研究

本试验旨在培育大片形吸虫囊蚴,着重研究大片形吸虫在中间宿主体内的发育过程和临床病理变化.人工培养和孵化大片形吸虫虫卵,用孵化出来的大片形吸虫毛蚴感染中间宿主小土蜗螺,收集大片形吸虫囊蚴,再用囊蚴感染试验小鼠.结果显示,囊蚴经口感染试验小鼠后1周即可在肝脏找到虫体,幼虫可在小鼠体内发育生存7～8周,随着时间的推移和感染囊蚴数量不同,可给小鼠肝脏造成不同程度的病变,甚至造成死亡.剖检小鼠可见肝脏质地脆,颜色发黄,脾脏肿大等严重病理变化.因此,可利用小鼠作为大片形吸虫幼虫感染的试验动物,进行片形吸虫病的早期诊断、免疫预防和治疗等方面的研究.