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Parasitology May 2021In this study of Metagonimus suifunensis (M. suifunensis) in the Russian Southern Far East, the variability of the full-length sequences of the cytochrome b (cytb) mtDNA...
In this study of Metagonimus suifunensis (M. suifunensis) in the Russian Southern Far East, the variability of the full-length sequences of the cytochrome b (cytb) mtDNA gene was assessed for the first time. In addition, the cox1 mtDNA gene sequences were also obtained for this species from new localities. In total, 87 and 81 sequences of the cytb and cox1 genes, respectively, were used in the current study. The cytb gene proved more promising and revealed two haplogroups that are associated with the spatial distribution of the species: geographical isolation caused the fixation of differences between northern and southern populations. In addition, the results obtained for the cytb gene opened up new perspectives in the analysis of sequences of the cox1 gene, which was not sufficiently effective as a sole marker. Based on data for both mitochondrial genes, molecular processes influencing the formation of the modern population were analysed for M. suifunensis. The new data confirmed the previously expressed opinion that this species colonized the study territory from north to south and will form the basis for determining possible ways of its further expansion, which is important for predicting the emergence of new foci of metagonimosis.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Base Sequence; Cytochromes b; Disease Vectors; Genetic Markers; Genetic Variation; Haplotypes; Heterophyidae; Male; Rats; Rivers; Russia; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 33583451
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182021000275 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Aug 2020Fish-borne heterophyid trematodes are known to have a zoonotic potential, since at least 30 species are able to infect humans worldwide, with a global infection of... (Review)
Review
Fish-borne heterophyid trematodes are known to have a zoonotic potential, since at least 30 species are able to infect humans worldwide, with a global infection of around 7 million people. In this paper, a 'state-of-the-art' review of the South American heterophyid species is provided, including classical and molecular taxonomy, parasite ecology, host-parasite interaction studies and a list of species and their hosts. There is still a lack of information on human infections in South America with undetected or unreported infections probably due to the information shortage and little attention by physicians to these small intestinal flukes. Molecular tools for specific diagnoses of South American heterophyid species are still to be defined. Additional new sequences of Pygidiopsis macrostomum, Ascocotyle pindoramensis and Ascocotyle longa from Brazil are also provided.
Topics: Animals; Cyanobacteria; DNA, Helminth; Fishes; Heterophyidae; Host-Parasite Interactions; Humans; Sequence Analysis, DNA; South America; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 32871631
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.4.373 -
Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology Sep 2020Ascocotyle longa is parasitic trematode with wide distribution throughout America, Europe, Africa, and Middle East. Despite the fact that this fish-borne pathogen has...
Ascocotyle longa is parasitic trematode with wide distribution throughout America, Europe, Africa, and Middle East. Despite the fact that this fish-borne pathogen has been considered an agent of human heterophyiasis in Brazil, the molecules involved in the host-parasite interaction remain unknown. The present study reports the proteome profile of A. longa metacercariae collected from the fish Mugil liza from Brazil. This infective stage for humans, mammals and birds was analyzed using nLC-MS/MS approach. We identified a large repertoire of proteins, which are mainly involved in energy metabolism and cell structure. Peptidases and immunogenic proteins were also identified, which might play roles in host-parasite interface. Our data provided unprecedented insights into the biology of A. longa and represent a first step to understand the natural host-parasite interaction. Moreover, as the first proteome characterized in this trematode, it will provide an important resource for future studies.
Topics: Animals; Fish Diseases; Genome, Helminth; Helminth Proteins; Heterophyidae; Host-Parasite Interactions; Metacercariae; Proteome; Proteomics; Trematoda; Trematode Infections; Zoonoses
PubMed: 32745491
DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2020.111311 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2020Countries of lower Mekong regions are highly alarmed by the spread of fish-borne trematode infections, i.e., small liver flukes and minute intestinal flukes especially...
Discovery of Carcinogenic Liver Fluke Metacercariae in Second Intermediate Hosts and Surveillance on Fish-Borne Trematode Metacercariae Infections in Mekong Region of Myanmar.
Countries of lower Mekong regions are highly alarmed by the spread of fish-borne trematode infections, i.e., small liver flukes and minute intestinal flukes especially in Thailand, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. Moreover; the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma has also been increasing in the endemic area of liver fluke infections. Only a few reports have been published concerning the fish-borne trematodes infections in the central region of Myanmar. However; there is still a lack of information regarding the status of trematodes infections in second intermediate hosts in the Mekong region of Myanmar. Therefore, we conducted surveillance on the distribution of trematode metacercariae in small cyprinoid fishes collected from the Mekong region of Myanmar. A total of 689 fishes (12 different species of cyprinoid fishes) have been collected and examined by pepsin digestion methods. We discovered four species of fish-borne trematode metacercariae infections, i.e., carcinogenic liver fluke, ; minute intestinal flukes, and sp. in Tachileik, the Mekong Region of Myanmar. The outcome of this study could be a useful index for the fish-borne zoonotic trematode epidemiology in the Mekong area. Besides, the results of our study contribute to filling the gap of information necessary for the control and prevention of fish-borne trematode zoonotic infections in the Mekong region.
Topics: Animals; Fasciola hepatica; Fish Diseases; Fishes; Liver Neoplasms; Metacercariae; Myanmar; Trematoda; Trematode Infections; Zoonoses
PubMed: 32526911
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17114108 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Aug 2020Metacercarial cysts of the parasite (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Heterophyidae) are frequently found on the pectoral fins and skin of parrotfishes (Labridae: Scarini)...
Metacercarial cysts of the parasite (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Heterophyidae) are frequently found on the pectoral fins and skin of parrotfishes (Labridae: Scarini) inhabiting Okinawan coral reefs in southern Japan. The prevalence of metacercarial cysts in 30 parrotfish species was investigated and compared through a market survey. Although parasite prevalence differed between parrotfishes, all species examined are considered to be suitable hosts. Prevalence was high in (38.5%, n = 13), (33.4%, 2797), (26.6%, 6441), and several other species that share, in part, common feeding habits. Conversely, prevalence was low in (0.4%, 1842), (0.4%, 270), and (0.1%, 8512) which have different feeding habits. Despite a few exceptions, feeding ecology and other indirect behaviors are considered to affect the prevalence of metacercarial cysts in parrotfishes. Taxonomic affiliation and nocturnal mucous cocoon usage are not considered to affect parasite prevalence.
PubMed: 32509519
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.05.007 -
Food and Waterborne Parasitology Jun 2020Among others, the families Opisthorchiidae and Heterophyidae includes several genera causing fish-borne zoonoses and distributed also in European Countries and that are...
Among others, the families Opisthorchiidae and Heterophyidae includes several genera causing fish-borne zoonoses and distributed also in European Countries and that are included in the ParaFishControl (Advanced Tools and Research Strategies for Parasite Control in European farmed fish) H2020 EU project. Due to the small size of the metacercariae, the infective stage for human, these parasites cannot be detected visually in fish and monitoring requires expert application of time-consuming techniques. The aim of this was to develop a rapid and affordable molecular method based on multiplex PCR for simultaneous identification of metacercariae of the most common European Opisthorchiid and Heterophyid in fish or fish products.
PubMed: 32435707
DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2020.e00081 -
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 -
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 -
Helminthologia Dec 2018Cyprinoid fish in Chiang Mai province has been reported the presence of a large number of metacercariae, particularly the metacercariae of and those not identified to...
Cyprinoid fish in Chiang Mai province has been reported the presence of a large number of metacercariae, particularly the metacercariae of and those not identified to species. This study aims to investigate morphological and molecular characteristic of the minute intestinal fluke metacercariae in two cyprinoid fish species from Chom Thong district, Chiang Mai province, Thailand: the Tinfoil barb () and the White eye barb (). A total of 180 fish (90 from and 90 from . ) were collected over three seasons: cool, hot and the rainy season (December 2015 to August 2016). Fish were examined for metacercariae infection, including areas such as muscle and the inner side of body scales, by using a light microscope. The prevalence of metacercariae in and was 73.33 % and 100 % respectively. metacercariae were identified as based on the morphological characteristics; the position of the acetabulum and the number and arrangement of the acetabular spines. Phylogenetic analysis based on Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene showed that metacercariae from and were the same species as the adult stage of from and . Both morphological and molecular characteristic could indicate that metacercariae originated from this study were . Furthermore, it is a new record of the minute intestinal fluke in Chiang Mai Province.
PubMed: 31662664
DOI: 10.2478/helm-2018-0034 -
The Korean Journal of Parasitology Jun 2019We tried a series of morphological and molecular approaches to identify a new species of Stellantchasmus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) originating from the wrestling...
We tried a series of morphological and molecular approaches to identify a new species of Stellantchasmus (Digenea: Heterophyidae) originating from the wrestling half-beaked fish, Dermogenys pusillus of Thailand. Adult worm samples of the new species were recovered from hamsters experimentally infected with the metacercariae from D. pusillus in Thailand. Two isolates (Thai and Korean) of Stellantchasmus falcatus were used as comparative control groups. Worm samples of 3 Stellantchasmus groups were morphologically observed and molecularly analyzed with the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene. The morphological characteristics of S. dermogenysi n. sp. are similar to S. falcatus originating from brackish water fish, but minor difference was noted including the absence of the prepharynx, position of the ovary near the ceca end, smaller body size, and shorter esophageal length. A phylogenetic tree derived from neighborjoining and maximum-likelihood methods suggests that S. dermogenysi n. sp. is separated from S. falcatus supported by high bootstrap values. The relative divergences persist between these host-specific trematodes, which we suggest should be recognized as 2 distinct species. Comparisons of S. dermogenysi n. sp. with S. falcatus isolated from mullets in Thailand and Korea indicate a genetic divergence of mitochondrial DNA of 19.4% and 21.7%, respectively. By the present study, a new species, Stellantchasmus dermogenysi n. sp. (Digenea: Heterophyidae), is proposed in Thailand based on molecular evidences, in addition to minor morphological differences between S. falcatus and the new species.
Topics: Animals; Cricetinae; Fish Diseases; Fishes; Heterophyidae; Phylogeny; Republic of Korea; Smegmamorpha; Thailand; Trematode Infections
PubMed: 31284348
DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.3.257