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The Korean Journal of Parasitology Feb 2020Trematode specimens were collected from the intestine of a herring gull, Larus argentatus, which was found in a critical condition on the shore of a small island...
Trematode specimens were collected from the intestine of a herring gull, Larus argentatus, which was found in a critical condition on the shore of a small island (Yubu-do, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do) located at the western coast of the Korean peninsula. Total 11 specimens of intestinal flukes, including 3 Cryptocotyle lingua (Heterophyidae), 1 Himasthla alincia (Echinostomatidae), 5 Cardiocephaloides medioconiger (Strigeidae), and 2 Diplostomum spathaceum (Diplostomidae), were recovered. C. lingua was morphologically characterized by the presence of a large ventrogenital apparatus and 2 obliquely tandem testes. H. alincia had an elongated body and a head collar equipped with 31 collar spines. C. medioconiger had a bisegmented body and a voluminous copulatory bursa containing the seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct. D. spathaceum also had a bisegmented body and its vitellaria extended up to the anterior border of the tribocytic organ. It is of note that C. lingua is potentially zoonotic that can occur in birds and humans. Three of them, i.e., C. lingua, C. medioconiger, and D. spathaceum, are new trematode fauna in Korea. Studies on trematode fauna of migratory birds should be continued in Korea.
Topics: Animals; Fishes; Republic of Korea; Trematoda
PubMed: 32145732
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.1.81 -
The Journal of Parasitology Feb 2020Some parasite species alter the behavior of intermediate hosts to promote transmission to the next host in the parasite's life cycle. This is the case for , a...
Some parasite species alter the behavior of intermediate hosts to promote transmission to the next host in the parasite's life cycle. This is the case for , a brain-encysting trematode parasite that causes behavioral changes in the California killifish (). These manipulations increase predation by the parasite's final host, piscivorous marsh birds. The mechanisms by which achieves this manipulation remain poorly understood. As cysts reside on the surface of the killifish's brain, discerning regional differences in parasite distribution could indicate mechanisms for host control. In this study, we developed a method for repeated experimental infections. In addition, we measured brain-region specific density using a novel methodology to locate and quantify parasite infection. We show that cysts are non-randomly distributed on the fish brain, aggregating on the diencephalon/mesencephalon region (a brain area involved in controlling reproduction and stress coping) and the rhombencephalon (an area involved in controlling locomotion and basal physiology). Determining causal mechanisms behind this pattern of localization will guide future research examining the neurological mechanisms of parasite-induced host manipulation. These findings suggest that parasites are likely targeting the reproductive, monoaminergic, and locomotor systems to achieve host behavioral manipulation.
Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Brain; Brain Diseases; Fish Diseases; Fundulidae; Heterophyidae; Snails; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 32097105
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Helminthology Jan 2020Eurytrema coelomaticum is a digenean flatworm of ruminants that is the causative agent of eurytrematosis, a disease of veterinary health concern. Although modern...
Eurytrema coelomaticum is a digenean flatworm of ruminants that is the causative agent of eurytrematosis, a disease of veterinary health concern. Although modern techniques of morphological analysis have provided new insights about the morphology and anatomy of parasitic helminths, most studies on E. coelomaticum adults are based on conventional light microscopy. In the present study, a combined approach using brightfield, fluorescence, confocal and scanning electron microscopies (SEMs), together with the cryofracture technique, have updated morphological data on E. coelomaticum recovered from cattle in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Light microscopy confirmed the presence of several structures present in the current description, such as suckers, pharynx, oesophagus, intestinal bifurcation and the cirrus-sac. Fluorescence stereomicroscopy revealed for the first time the cubic crystal protein inclusions in the forebody, which were further detailed by confocal and SEMs. Confocal microscopy provided detailed information of the muscular architecture associated with the attachment structures (suckers), digestive system (pharynx and oesophagus), egg-forming complex (ovary, Mehlis' gland and Laurer's canal) and male reproductive system, which are similar to those found in other digenean flukes. SEM images of cryofractured parasites showed mucus and developing eggs within uterine loops. It was demonstrated that the combination of advanced tools generated complementary information, confirming the importance of experimental morphology in parasitology. Therefore, the knowledge of the adult structural organization of E. coelomaticum was improved and this work has contributed to propose new morphological criteria to evaluate the effects of antiparasitic drugs on flukes of medical and veterinary importance.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Eggs; Female; Genitalia; Heterophyidae; Male; Microscopy, Confocal; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Platyhelminths; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 31964430
DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X19001135 -
Diseases of Aquatic Organisms Nov 2019Acanthurus spp. of St. Kitts and other Caribbean islands, including ocean surgeonfish A. bahianus, doctorfish A. chirurgus, and blue tang A. coeruleus, frequently show...
Acanthurus spp. of St. Kitts and other Caribbean islands, including ocean surgeonfish A. bahianus, doctorfish A. chirurgus, and blue tang A. coeruleus, frequently show multifocal cutaneous pigmentation. Initial reports from the Leeward Antilles raised suspicion of a parasitic etiology. The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of the disease in St. Kitts' Acanthuridae and describe its pathology and etiology. Visual surveys demonstrated consistently high adjusted mean prevalence at 3 shallow reefs in St. Kitts in 2017 (38.9%, 95% CI: 33.8-43.9) and 2018 (51.5%; 95% CI: 46.2-56.9). There were no differences in prevalence across species or reefs, but juvenile fish were less commonly affected than adults. A total of 29 dermatopathy-affected acanthurids were sampled by spearfishing for comprehensive postmortem examination. Digenean metacercariae were dissected from <1 mm cysts within pigmented lesions. Using partial 28S rDNA sequence data they were classified as Family Heterophyidae, members of which are commonly implicated in black spot disease of other fishes. Morphological features of the parasite were most typical of Scaphanocephalus spp. (Creplin, 1842), and 2 genetic profiles were obtained suggesting more than 1 digenean species. Histologically, pigmented lesions had mild chronic perivascular dermatitis and increased melanophores and melanin density, often centered on encysted digenean metacercariae. In 1 affected A. chirurgus, similar metacercariae were histologically identified in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Further research is needed to clarify impact on host fitness, establish the number of heterophyid digenean species that cause black spots on Caribbean fishes and to determine the intermediate and definitive host species.
Topics: Animals; Caribbean Region; Dermatitis; Metacercariae; Perciformes; West Indies
PubMed: 31777400
DOI: 10.3354/dao03419 -
International Journal For Parasitology Nov 2019The complete cox1 gene sequence was analysed for Metagonimus suifunensis from eight localities in the Russian southern Far East, and the level of variability was...
The complete cox1 gene sequence was analysed for Metagonimus suifunensis from eight localities in the Russian southern Far East, and the level of variability was compared with that of Clonorchis sinensis from the same territory of Russia. These species belong to the superfamily Opisthorchioidea, have a similar distribution in the Russian southern Far East and share second intermediate and definitive hosts, but are distinguished by their first intermediate hosts belonging to different orders of caenogastropods. The data obtained showed that the nucleotide sequence variability of the M. suifunensis cox1 gene was significantly lower. This fact is considered in connection with a recent bottleneck passage for the M. suifunensis population, in contrast to C. sinensis, which could be due to the features of the Metagonimus life cycle under seasonal freezing temperatures, as well as historical geological and climatic changes in the Russian Far East. These factors could influence the microevolutionary processes and lead to a decrease in the level of variability in the M. suifunensis population. Based on the combination of genetic data and historical geo-processes in the region, the probable route of M. suifunensis expansion from the northern part of its current area in the Amur River basin to the southern territories of the Russian Far East is justified.
Topics: Animals; Clonorchis sinensis; Electron Transport Complex IV; Genetic Variation; Heterophyidae; Siberia
PubMed: 31628936
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.07.004 -
Acta Tropica Jan 2020Foodborne intestinal flukes are highly diverse consisting of at least 74 species with a diverse global distribution. Taxonomically they include 28 species of... (Review)
Review
Foodborne intestinal flukes are highly diverse consisting of at least 74 species with a diverse global distribution. Taxonomically they include 28 species of heterophyids, 23 species of echinostomes, and 23 species of miscellaneous groups (amphistomes, brachylaimids, cyathocotylids, diplostomes, fasciolids, gymnophallids, isoparorchiids, lecithodendriid-like group, microphallids, nanophyetids, plagiorchiids, and strigeids). The important heterophyid species (15 species) include Metagonimus yokogawai, M. takahashii, M. miyatai, Heterophyes heterophyes, H. nocens, Haplorchis taichui, H. pumilio, H. yokogawai, Heterophyopsis continua, Centrocestus formosanus, Pygidiopsis genata, P. summa, Stellantchasmus falcatus, Stictodora fuscata, and S. lari. The echinostome species of public health significance (15 species) include Echinostoma revolutum, E. cinetorchis, E. lindoense, E. ilocanum, Isthmiophora hortensis, Echinochasmus japonicus, E. perfoliatus, E. liliputanus, E. fujianensis, E. caninus, Acanthoparyphium tyosenense, Artyfechinostomum malayanum, A. sufrartyfex, A. oraoni, and Hypoderaeum conoideum. Among the other zoonotic intestinal flukes, Gastrodiscoides hominis, Brachylaima cribbi, Neodiplostomum seoulense, Fasciolopsis buski, Gymnophalloides seoi, Caprimolgorchis molenkampi, Phaneropsolus bonnei, Microphallus brevicaeca, Nanophyetus salmincola, and N. schikhobalowi (10 species) have drawn considerable medical attention causing quite a fair number of human infection cases. The principal mode of human infections include ingestion of raw or improperly cooked fish (heterophyids and echinostomes), snails including oysters (echinostomes and G. seoi), amphibians and reptiles (N. seoulense), aquatic vegetables (amphistomes and F. buski), and insect larvae or adults (C. molenkampi and P. bonnei). Epidemiological characteristics such as the prevalence, geographical distribution, and clinical and public health significance are poorly known in many of these species. Praziquantel has been proved to be highly effective against most species of intestinal fluke infections. Surveys and detection of human infection cases are urgently required for better understanding of the global status and public health significance of each species.
Topics: Animals; Foodborne Diseases; Geography; Humans; Prevalence; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 31600520
DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105210 -
Journal of Helminthology Sep 2019Trematodes of the genus Galactosomum are cosmopolitan parasites that infect the intestines of fish-eating birds and mammals. Adults of named Galactosomum species have...
Trematodes of the genus Galactosomum are cosmopolitan parasites that infect the intestines of fish-eating birds and mammals. Adults of named Galactosomum species have not been recorded from bird hosts in New Zealand, despite their cercarial stage being known from various studies of the first intermediate host, Zeacumantus subcarinatus. Here we describe a new species of Galactosomum infecting four different piscivorous birds in New Zealand: Caspian terns, red-billed and black-backed gulls and little blue penguins. Specimens from each of these hosts are genetically identical in the genes sequenced, but show considerable morphological variability. Galactosomum otepotiense n. sp. is distinguished from most other members of the 'bearupi-group' in having a single circle of spines on the ventral sucker, and spines, as opposed to scales, over most of the body. It is most similar to G. bearupi and G. angelae, both from Caspian terns in Australia, but differs in the relative sizes of the reproductive organs and in the possession of a very long forebody. Molecular data confirm that G. otepotiense is not conspecific with G. bearupi, but 28S and ITS2 phylogenies show its close relationship to G. bearupi and other Australian species. We use the cox1 sequence to confirm identity with the larval stage infecting Z. subcarinatus, as previously described in the literature. We discuss briefly the relationships between Australian and New Zealand Galactosomum spp. and their hosts, variability between genetically identical specimens found in different hosts and their potential for harm to mariculture economy.
Topics: Animals; Australia; Cercaria; Charadriiformes; Fishes; Heterophyidae; Intestines; Larva; New Zealand; Phylogeny
PubMed: 31500672
DOI: 10.1017/S0022149X19000828 -
Zebrafish Dec 2019This study reports the presence of cartilaginous cysts in zebrafish gills, purchased at the end of 2012 before the application of the Italian Legislative Decree 26/2014...
This study reports the presence of cartilaginous cysts in zebrafish gills, purchased at the end of 2012 before the application of the Italian Legislative Decree 26/2014 and used for experimental research. It highlights the importance of using specific pathogen-free organisms from reliable production establishments to avoid obtaining false results in experiments. Of 20 samples analyzed, 4 showed cysts in gills, with abnormal tissue modification and cartilaginous metaplasia induced by prolonged parasitic insult. The results obtained from the periodic health monitoring program showed the presence of metacercariae of digenean trematodes, specifically identified as .
Topics: Animals; Female; Fish Diseases; Gills; Heterophyidae; Italy; Male; Prevalence; Trematode Infections; Zebrafish
PubMed: 31237524
DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2019.1744 -
Parasitology International Oct 2019Adult Cryptocotyle lata sp. nov. worms were obtained from experimental studies. In the Russian southern Far East, the life cycle of this parasite is carried out using...
Adult Cryptocotyle lata sp. nov. worms were obtained from experimental studies. In the Russian southern Far East, the life cycle of this parasite is carried out using freshwater snails (Boreoelona ussuriensis), freshwater fish, and birds as the first intermediate, second intermediate, and definitive hosts, respectively. The morphological indices of C. lata sp. nov. are closest to Cryptocotyle concava; however, these two species differ in terms of their sizes of body, oral and ventral suckers, eggs, and the shape of their testes and ovaries. Analysis of the life cycles of the Cryptocotyle representatives suggested that C. concava were at least two cryptic species, one of which circulates using brackish water Hydrobia snails, and the other using freshwater Amnicola snails as the first intermediate hosts. Molecular data (i.e., the 28S gene and the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of rDNA) were used to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of C. lata sp. nov. and other representatives of Opisthorchioidea. The long repeats and secondary structure of the ITS1 region were studied. Representatives of the Opisthorchiidae and several species from Heterophyidae (including the genus Cryptocotyle) were found to have molecular features that suggested that these species belonged to Opisthorchiidae. At the same time, the genetic relatedness of worms, which are united in common clusters on phylogenetic trees, is consistent with the use of the first intermediate hosts from different taxonomic groups in their life cycles; namely, snails of the Truncatelloidea are hosts of trematodes from a cluster with Opisthorchiidae and a number species of the family Heterophyidae, while snails of the Cerithioidea are hosts of worms from a cluster that includes only the Heterophyidae. In addition, the results of genetic studies indicate that Clonorchis sinensis, Metorchis ussuriensis, Metorchis bilis, Metorchis xanthosomus, and Metorchis orientalis should be included in the genus Opisthorchis.
Topics: Animals; DNA, Helminth; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Fishes; Life Cycle Stages; Opisthorchidae; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 28S; Russia; Snails
PubMed: 31201922
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.101939 -
Parasitology International Feb 2020Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disease caused by the activity of effector immune cells, such as the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines....
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disease caused by the activity of effector immune cells, such as the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines. Helminth immunomodulation in the host has been shown to have therapeutic implications in IBD. In the present study, we investigated whether Metagonimus miyatai infection could ameliorate inflammatory diseases. Mice were infected with M. miyatai, and colitis was then induced through oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Weight loss, stool consistency, gross bleeding, colon length, and tissue inflammation were assessed by macroscopic and microscopic examinations. In addition, regulatory cytokine expression was observed in colon tissue by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that M. miyatai infection decreased the clinical severity of DSS-induced colitis, including weight loss, bloody diarrhea, shortening of the colon, and colon tissue damage in mice (p < .05). The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1b, and cyclooxygenase-2 in mice infected with helminth were lower than those in DSS-treated mice without helminthic infection (p < .05). The results of the research showed that pre-infection with M. miyatai ameliorated DSS-induced colitis in mice and may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of immunological diseases.
Topics: Animals; Colitis; Colon; Cytokines; Dextran Sulfate; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Heterophyidae; Immunomodulation; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 31075526
DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2019.05.002