Simultaneous transmission of Trypanosoma mukasai, Babesiosoma mariae and Cyrilia nili to fish by the leech Batracobdelloides tricarinata

Trypanosoma mukasai (HOARE, 1932), Babesiosoma mariae (HOARE, 1930) and Cyrilia (= Haemogregarina) nili (WENYON, 1909) were concurrently transmitted from Tilapia nilotica to Clarias lazera using the leech vector Batracobdelloides tricarinata. Concurrent transmission was more successful in immature Clarias lazera in which prepatent periods were shorter and patency longer than in mature fish.     

Life cycle of Isospora burrowsi n sp (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the dog Canis familiaris

Exogenous and endogenous stages of Isospora burrowsi n sp from the dog are described. Oocysts were spherical or ellipisoidal and 17 to 22 by 16 to 19 micrometer (mean 20.3 by 17.3 micrometer). Micropyle, oocyst residuum, and polar granule were not present. Sporocysts were 12 to 16 by 8 to 11 micrometer (mean 14.4 by 9.7 micrometer). Stieda body was absent, but a sporocyst residuum was present. Endogenous stages were in the caudal three-fifths of the small intestine and in the cecum. Mature 1st-generation schizonts (11 to 18 by 9 to 18 micrometer) were present on the 4th day of infection. One day later, mature 2nd-generation schizonts (18 to 35 by 17 to 22 micrometer) were present. Immature gamonts were found 5 days after infection, and unsporulated oocysts were also present later that day. The prepatent period was 6 days, and the mean patent period was 11 days. The oocysts of I burrowsi differ markedly in size from all other Isospora species from dogs, except Isospora ohioensis; however, the endogenous stages of the 2 species differ.     

Schizogony and gametogony of Eimeria zuernii (Rivolta, 1878) Martin, 1909

Calves were infected with Eimeria zuernii given by stomach tube and also placed directly into surgically prepared pouches of small intestine. The calves were killed at 2 day intervals or less from the 2nd to the 21st day after injection. First generation schizogony occurred in the lamina propria of the lower ileum and the first generation schizont was a giant schizont. Second generation schizogony and gametogony took place in the epithelial cells of the caecum and proximal colon. Measurements of the various stages of the life cycle of E. zuernii are given.     

Life cycle of Hyalomma anatolicum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) fed on rabbits, sheep and goats

Some aspects of the biology of the tick Hyalomma anatolicum fed on rabbits, sheep and goats were studied. The non-feeding stages were maintained under laboratory conditions at 20-36°C and 75% relative humidity. The longest feeding periods of larvae and nymphs of H. anatolicum were observed when fed on rabbits (mean 4.58 ± 0.51 and 7 ± 1.15 days, respectively) while the longest feeding periods of females were observed on goats (9.61 ± 1.21). The pre-oviposition period (4.8 ± 0.42 days) and pre-eclosion periods (mean 21.3 ± 1.16 days) were shortest for females fed on rabbits. Engorged females reached heavier engorgement weights (482.92 ± 88.08 mg), and produced more eggs (4881.8 ± 842.71) when fed on rabbits. However, no significant differences were observed between the percentages hatchability of eggs laid by ticks fed on the three hosts studied. Most (94.31%) of the larvae fed on rabbits underwent a 2-host life cycle, while few (5.69%) of them behaved as a 3-host ticks. Few larvae were able to complete feeding as 3-host pattern on both sheep and goats, while the majority of the larvae failed to complete feeding or died on their way to molt on both sheep and goats.     

Brachylaima aspersae n. sp. (Digenea: Brachylaimidae) infecting farmed snails in NW Spain: morphology, life cycle, pathology, and implications for heliciculture

The life cycle of Brachylaima aspersae n. sp. (Trematoda: Brachylaimidae) in heliciculture farms is elucidated in light of field and experimental studies. Embryonated asymmetrical eggs (33.3 μm × 20.2 μm) are passed in the faeces of the definitive host, the domestic mouse (Mus musculus), and are ingested by its unique first intermediate host, the helicid snail Helix aspersa aspersa. After hatching, the miracidium develops into a highly branched sporocyst in the connective tissues of the digestive gland. Microcaudate cercariae emerging from this gastropod migrate up the ureter of the second intermediate host, the snails H. a. aspersa and H. a. maxima, and develop into non-encysted metacercariae in the kidney. Following predation of infected snails, the metacercariae develop into adults preferentially in the proximal portion of the duodenum of the definitive host. The strict oioxenic character for the first intermediate host, as well as the cercarial chaetotaxy (3 C(I)V+1 C(I)D, 10 C(II), 5 C(III)V, 14 C(III)L, 2 C(III)D, 16 H, 6 S(I), 6 S(II), 6 S(III), 2 A(I)L+1 A(I)V, 1 A(II)L, 3 ML, 1 P(I)L and 3 P(III)L), the distinct pars prostatica, the variable appearance of testes (rounded to irregular, with smooth or slightly to moderately lobulated margins), the size of eggs, the position of acetabulum (located somewhat posterior to the anterior third of body), and the microhabitat of the adult in the final host allow differentiation of B. aspersae from other well-known species in the genus. Massive infections with sporocysts or metacercariae of this brachylaimid may induce extensive pathological changes in the organs affected. Our results confirm that control of rodents in heliciculture farms is essential to minimize the potential health risks and morbimortality associated with this newly described species.     

Life cycle of Eimeria krijgsmanni-like coccidium in the mouse (Mus musculus)

Life cycle of Eimeria krijgsmanni-like coccidium isolated from the feces of naturally infected mice purchased from commercial sources was examined. The parasite was purified by single oocyst isolation and maintained by passage in the mice before experiments. The sporulated oocysts were ovoid or ellipsoid, measuring 19.3 x 14.8 microm on average. One or two small polar granules were present. Micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent. Sporocysts were ellipsoid, measuring 11.6 x 7.2 microm on average with a small Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. Six groups of respective 5 mice (4-week-old) were inoculated with doses varying from 2.0 x 10(1) to 10(6) oocysts. All the mice examined began to shed oocysts from 7 day postinoculation (PI) and their maximum number of oocysts per gram of feces were 10(6) on day 8 PI. Patency was 6 or 7 days. This parasite had severe virulence to the mice that is, the mice given 10(6) oocysts showed anorexia, diarrhoea and rough hair from 1 day and all of them died on day 3 PI. The mice given 10(3) or more oocysts showed the clinical signs described above from day 5 and 4 of them received 10(5) died on day 9 or 10 PI. The parasites occurred within the epithelial cells of cecum, colon and rectum of infected mice. Sporozoites, 13.9 x 3.0 microm, with two large refractil bodies on side of the nucleus located subcentrally were observed on day 1 and 2 PI. Merozoites were first observed at 24 hr PI, and sexual stages were found from 4 day PI. No parasites were detected in the small intestine and mecenteric lymph nodes.     

Life cycle of Eimeria procera in experimentally infected grey partridges (Perdix perdix)

We examined exogenous and endogenous development of Eimeria procera in experimentally infected grey partridges (Perdix perdix). Our examination included data on morphology, localization, duration of schizogony and gametogony and morphology of sporulated oocysts. The endogenous stages of E. procera developed in large numbers within the epithelial cells of caecal crypts. The asexual development comprised three generations of schizonts. The first fully developed macrogametes and microgamonts were observed on Day 5 post-infection (p.i.) in histologic section. The patent period began on Day 6 p.i. and ended on Day 11 p.i. with peak production of oocysts on Days 7 and 8. Long oval oocysts of E. procera measured 25.78–28.13 μm in length and 14.06–15.24 μm in width, sporulation time ranged from 18 to 24 h at 25°C and from 36 to 48 h at 20°C.     

Trichostrongylus auriculatus n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae) from the steenbok, Raphicerus campestris (Thunberg, 1811)

During a pilot survey of the parasites of some artiodactylids in the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park a new species of Trichostrongylus Looss, 1905 was recovered from the small intestine of a steenbok, Raphicerus campestris (Thunberg, 1811), a gemsbok, Oryx gazella (Linnaeus, 1758), and a red hartebeest, Alcelaphus buselaphus (Pallas, 1766). The male spicules were 0,120-0,148 mm long and an ear-shaped protuberance was present on the shaft of the left spicule. The presence of only a single protuberance is characteristic of the species.     

Babesia crassa n.sp. (Sporozoa,Babesiidae) of domestic sheep in Iran

Summary

A large Babesia sp., isolated from a sheep in Iran, proved to be serologically and morphologically different from B. motasi and B. ovis.

The parasite, designated B. crassa n. sp., is characterized by the frequent occurrence of four organisms in one erythrocyte, which is the result of quadruple division and, in other cases, of two successive binary divisions. Parasites resulting from the first of two successive binary divisions are exceptionally broad. B. crassa appears to be of low pathogenicity for sheep and goats, to which it is also infective. The vector is unknown.     

Eimeria capricornis n.sp., E. nihonis n.sp., E. naganoensis n.sp., and E. kamoshika n.sp. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) from the Japanese serow, Capricornis crispus

Eimeria capricornis n.sp., E. nihonis n.sp., E. naganoensis n.sp. and E. kamoshika n.sp. were detected from the Japanese serow, Capricornis crispus. The oocysts of these species were ovoid to ellipsoid, measuring 48.02 +/- 0.53 x 33.93 +/- 0.35 microns, 29.73 +/- 0.45 x 21.01 +/- 0.29 microns, 20.04 +/- 0.05 x 15.77 +/- 0.04 microns and 30.02 +/- 4.24 x 14.58 +/- 2.03 micron, respectively. In all the species the micropyle was observed, but the micropylar cap and oocyst residuum were not present. The polar granules were observed in the oocysts of E. capricornis. The sporocysts of the above species were spherical to elongate ovoid, measuring 15-23 x 8-13 microns, 14-16 x 7-10 microns, 11-13 x 6-8 microns and 8-10 x 6-7 microns, and the sporulation time was 6, 3, 3 and 6 days, respectively. The sporocyst residuum and refractile body were seen in all the species. In the sporocysts of E. naganoensis and E. kamoshika tiny Stieda body was seen, but not in the other two species. These four Eimeria species were not infective to goats.