The importance of developing effective assays to diagnose, monitor and evaluate human lymphatic filariasis has been emphasized by the World Health Organization. Presently, few immunodiagnostics are available for filarial monitoring programmes. The Wuchereria bancrofti (Wb) SXP-1 parasite protein, with 84% homology to Brugia malayi (Bm) SXP-1, was found to be highly immunogenic. WbSXP-1 is one among the diagnostic candidate molecules that were used for developing a rapid-antibody-flow-through diagnostic kit for filariasis. Studies were initiated with the aim of developing monoclonal antibodies against recombinant WbSXP-1 and prospective applications for the detection of both circulating Wb and Bm antigens in serum samples from infected individuals. The monoclones 1A6C2 of subclass IgG1k, and 2A12F8 of class IgM, specifically detected Wb and Bm microfilaria isolated from patients and did not show cross-reactivity with other filarial recombinant antigens. We anticipate that this work will address the problems faced in the rapid diagnosis of human lymphatic filariasis in endemic areas in developing countries.

Three concentrations of chlamydospores of the nematophagous fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia (1000, 10,000 and 20,000 per Petri dish) were evaluated in vitro on Taenia taeniaeformis eggs. Chlamydospores at each concentration were cultured in two different media: 2% water-agar (2%WA) and 2% corn-meal-agar (2%CMA). Taenia taeniaeformis eggs were plated in each chlamydospore concentration in 2%WA and 2%CMA (treated groups) and without fungus (control group). Eggs were removed from each Petri dish at intervals of 7, 14 and 21 days and classified according to ovicidal activity (type 1, type 2 and type 3 effects). Plates containing 2%CMA showed the highest percentages for type 3 effect (81.3%) on the 21st day of observation. A difference (P < 0.01) between the media 2%WA and 2%CMA for type 1 effect was observed only at a concentration of 1000 chlamydospores on the 7th day. There were differences (P < 0.01) between 2%WA and 2%CMA on the 14th and 21st days, at the concentration of 20,000 chlamydospores, for type 1 and type 3 effects. Regression curves for type 3 effect in 2%WA and 2%CMA at the tested concentrations showed higher ovicidal activity with increasing chlamydospore concentrations. Results indicate that, at concentrations of 1000, 10,000 and 20,000 per Petri dish, chlamydospores of P. chlamydosporia effectively destroyed T. taeniaeformis eggs and can be considered a potential biological control agent for this cestode.

We investigated patterns of specificity of liver flukes (fam. Brachycladiidae) in a community of cetaceans from the western Mediterranean. The liver and pancreas of 103 striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba, 18 Risso's dolphins, Grampus griseus, 14 bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, 8 common dolphins, Delphinus delphis, and 5 long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas, were analysed for brachycladiid species. Two species were found: Oschmarinella rochebruni in striped dolphins (prevalence (P): 61.2%; mean intensity (MI) (95% CI): 34.2 (25.7–45.6)), and Brachycladium atlanticum in striped dolphins (P: 39.8%; MI: 7.1 (4.8–13.1)) and a single individual of common dolphin (P: 12.5%; intensity: 19), which represents a new host record. A molecular analysis using the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the rDNA gene confirmed that specimens of B. atlanticum were conspecific regardless of host species. Available dietary data suggest that Risso's dolphins, bottlenose dolphins and long-finned pilot whales would contact rarely, if at all, the infective stages of O. rochebruni and B. atlanticum. Neither the prevalence nor the mean abundance of B. atlanticum differed significantly between striped and common dolphins, but a principal component analysis using seven morphometric variables indicated that specimens collected from the common dolphin were stunted. These worms also had fewer eggs compared with specimens typically found in striped dolphins, although the size of the eggs was similar in both host species. Dwarfism and low fecundity have typically been found in helminths infecting unusual host species, and might reflect the lower compatibility of B. atlanticum for common dolphins. In summary, both O. rochebruni and B. atlanticum appear to exhibit a narrow specificity for striped dolphins in the western Mediterranean.

The Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis), a medium-sized, semi-aquatic antelope, grazes extensively on pastures accessed by livestock in and around Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon national parks in the Kafue wetlands of Zambia. This interaction has a potential for bi-modal transmission of a wide range of parasitic helminths between lechwe and domestic ruminants. A survey was conducted to investigate the status of helminths in the Kafue lechwe during the 2008 (July–December) hunting season, involving 65 animals hunted under special research licences. Worm identification was based on morphological features using standard identification keys. Eleven different types of helminths were identified in the animals studied; namely, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Cooperia, Dictyocaulus, Marshallagia, Stilesia, Setaria, Trichuris, Fasciola, amphistomes and Schistosoma. Amphistomes (100%) and Oesophagostomum (60.9%) were the most common while Fasciola (7.8%) and Stilesia (1.6%) were the least of the identified helminths. There was no evidence that helminths, at intensities observed, adversely affected the health of the lechwe. The degree of worm infection was observed to vary between the two study areas, with Blue Lagoon recording higher infection levels compared to Lochinvar. The host range of many of the helminths found in the Kafue lechwe is broad and could serve as a potentially stable source of infection to domestic animals such as goats and cattle. Therefore, issues concerning livestock management and conservation may arise.

Four geographical strains of Galba truncatula living on riverbanks (the first on a sedimentary soil and the other three on an acid soil) were subjected to bimiracidial exposures with Fasciola hepatica to study their aptitude for cercarial shedding and to count metacercariae in snails dissected at day 42 post-exposure. All snails were reared in 14-cm Petri dishes at 24°C, with the same spring water (60–73 mg/l of Ca2+) and the same diet (grass and lettuce leaves). Metacercariae of F. hepatica were noted in the four populations after a cercarial shedding or after snail dissection. However, in spite of the breeding method used, the characteristics of snail infections varied with the origin of each geographical strain. For example, the shell heights of infected snails at day 42 were close to those found for the corresponding adults in the field (6.8–8.0 mm for the population living on the sedimentary soil, but only 4.6–5.5 mm for another strain originating from the acid soil). This variability may be explained by assuming that the diet of these riverbank G. truncatula would be different from that of snails living in swampy meadows. However, another hypothesis based on the influence of snail habitat on the characteristics of snail life cannot be excluded.

A 10-year (1998–2008) retrospective study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and long-term trend of hydatid disease in slaughtered herbivores in the large complex abattoir of Ahwaz (the capital of Khuzestan province, south-western Iran). A total of 3,583,417 animals including 2,815,982 sheep, 427,790 goats and 339,645 cattle were inspected macroscopically for hydatid cysts in the 10-year period, and overall 155,555 (4.24%) livers and 228,172 (6.37%) lungs were condemned. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) was responsible for 36.08% and 48.04% of total liver and lung condemnations, respectively. The prevalence of pulmonary hydatid disease in sheep, goats and cattle was 2.22, 5.43 and 6.99%, respectively; on the other hand, the prevalence of hepatic hydatid disease for those animals was 1.26, 2.57 and 2.80%, respectively. Data showed an overall downward long-term trend for CE in all livestock slaughtered during the study period (P < 0.01). Lung condemnation due to CE was significantly more common than liver condemnation for each animal separately (P < 0.001). The prevalence of liver and lung hydatidosis in sheep was significantly lower than that in other livestock (P < 0.001). The prevalence of hydatid disease recovered from the sheep, cattle and goats varied in different seasons, but there was no statistical difference between various seasons. The odds ratio of lung and liver condemnations due to hydatidosis showed a slightly different pattern in some years; however, the overall declining trend was still observed. The total annual economic loss incurred due to hydatidosis in all ruminants slaughtered at Ahwaz municipal abattoir was estimated to be US$459,659.6, based on the market prices in the year 2008. This number corresponds to a loss of US$300,620.4 for cattle, US$123,490.0 for sheep and US$35,549.2 for goats. The current results provide baseline data for the future monitoring of this potentially important disease in the region, and also suggest that a thorough investigation leading to a disease control strategy is required to reduce the economic and public health consequences of CE.

The collection of cestodes from the carcharhiniform shark Carcharhinus cf. dussumieri in the Persian Gulf off Iran resulted in the discovery of the new genus and species of tetraphyllidean tapeworm, Doliobothrium haselii n. gen. n. sp. Collections from the carcharhiniform shark Rhizoprionodon acutus in the Timor Sea off northern Australia resulted in material that is consistent with a species originally described as Pithophorus musculosus from this host species in India, but that appears to represent a second species in the new genus. This second species is redescribed and transferred to Doliobothrium n. gen. The two species differ from one another in total length, testis number and total number of proglottids, with the latter species generally being smaller in overall size than the former species. Histological sections and scanning electron microscopy confirm that this new genus differs from all other phyllobothriid genera in the possession of bothridia that both lack apical suckers and are tubular in form, bearing proximal and distal apertures. Despite differences in scolex morphology, the proglottids of the new genus are remarkably similar to those seen in Orectolobicestus, Paraorygmatobothrium and Ruhnkecestus, all of which also parasitize sharks. These four genera also share the presence of serrate gladiate spinitriches on their proximal bothridial surfaces. This is only the second report of a cestode from an elasmobranch from the Persian Gulf. Limited available data suggest that the fauna of this region resembles that of other regions of the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, owing to the paucity of available information and specimens, it is recommended that Pithophorus and three of its remaining described species (i.e. P. pakistanensis, P. trygoni, P. yamagutii) be considered as a genus inquirendum and species inquirenda, respectively.

The objective of this study was to assess the proteolytic activity of Fasciola hepatica cathepsins in liver sections from mice vaccinated with phage clones of cathepsin L mimotopes, using the film in situ zymography technique. Female BALB/c mice were immunized three times with 2.5 × 1011 phage particles without adjuvant. Animals vaccinated with phage clones produced high titres of anti-mimotope antibodies and a significant reduction in fluke burden was observed following challenge with metacercariae of F. hepatica. The proteolytic activity in hepatic tissue was reduced after the immunization with phage clones.

An experiment was conducted to assess the mucosal response to low-dose superimposed challenge with Ancylostoma ceylanicum. Hamsters were assigned to five treatment groups (1–5 respectively): naïve controls; primary immunizing infection controls; challenge controls; immunized, anthelmintic–treated, challenged group; immunized, superimposed challenge group. Group 4 hamsters were resistant to challenge, whereas most of the challenge inoculum larvae established in Group 5. Villus height and crypt depth measurements were initially markedly divergent between these two groups but over time post-challenge (pc) values for both parameters drew nearer and by day 31 pc they were indistinguishable. The greatest change was experienced by Group 4 which showed increasing inflammation and gut pathology during the challenge infection. Mitotic activity in crypts and mast cell counts in the mucosa were highest in Group 5 on day 10 pc, but there was little to distinguish between Groups 4 and 5 by day 31 pc. Goblet cell, eosinophil and Paneth cell counts were very similar throughout in both groups but, in the case of Paneth cells, they were consistent with a possible role in protective immunity to challenge. Some adult worms survived throughout the period of intense inflammation, emphasizing their tremendous resilience and resistance to mucosal host protective responses.

Schistosomiasis is a tropical disease caused by Schistosoma and occurs in 54 countries, mainly in South America, the Caribbean region, Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. Currently, 5 to 6 million Brazilian people are infected and 30,000 are under infection risk. Typical of poor regions, this disease is associated with the lack of basic sanitation and very frequently to the use of contaminated water in agriculture, housework and leisure. One of the most efficient methods of controlling the disease is application of molluscicides to eliminate or to reduce the population of the intermediate host snail Biomphalaria glabrata. Studies on molluscicidal activity of plant extracts have been stimulated by issues such as environmental preservation, high cost and recurrent resistance of snails to synthetic molluscicides. The aim of this study was to determine the molluscicide action of extracts from Piperaceae species on adult and embryonic stages of B. glabrata. Fifteen extracts from 13 Piperaceae species were obtained from stems, leaves and roots. Toxicity of extracts was evaluated against snails at two different concentrations (500 and 100 ppm) and those causing 100% mortality at 100 ppm concentration were selected to obtain the LC90 (lethal concentration of 90% mortality). Piper aduncum, P. crassinervium, P. cuyabanum, P. diospyrifolium and P. hostmannianum gave 100% mortality of adult snails at concentrations ranging from 10 to 60 ppm. These extracts were also assayed on embryonic stages of B. glabrata and those from P. cuyabanum and P. hostmannianum showed 100% ovicidal action at 20 ppm.

The aim of this study was to report the occurrence of Austrodiplostomum compactum metacercariae in the eyes of 98 specimens of loricariid fish (Hypostomus ancistroides, H. hermanni, H. iheringii, H. margaritifer, H. regani, H. strigaticeps, Hypostomus sp. and Megalancistrus parananus) from the Chavantes reservoir (23°07′36″S and 49°37′35″W) located in the rio Paranapanema, upper Paraná river basin, municipality of Ipaussu, São Paulo State, Brazil. Fish were collected from October 2007 to February 2009 using nylon monofilament gill nets and transported to the field laboratory where they were euthanized and the eyes were taken and examined under a stereomicroscope. Hypostomus ancistroides and M. parananus were not infected by this diplostomid. Hypostomus hermanni and H. margaritifer were represented by only one specimen but both had a high intensity of A. compactum metacercarie (27 and 35, respectively). Hypostomus strigaticeps (n = 45) and H. iheringii (n = 28) were the most representative specimens and the prevalence, mean intensity of infection and mean abundance were 24.4%, 10.3 and 2.7, and 64.2%, 13.1 and 8.4, respectively. No correlation was observed between the intensity of infection and the standard length (r = − 0.223; P = 0.827) and weight (r = 0.03; P = 0.779) of studied fish. Similarly, linear regression among these variables showed a poor correlation and indicated that the infection by A. compactum metacercariae occurs similarly in small and large fish specimens. A seasonal pattern of infection was not observed. Hypostomus hermanni, H. iheringii, H. margaritifer and H. strigaticeps were new hosts recorded for A. compactum metacercariae. A review of morphometric data of A. compactum metacercariae is presented.

A survey was conducted of gastrointestinal nematode infections and trypanosomosis in Nigerian West African Dwarf (WAD) goats from the savanna region of the country. Animals were screened at two markets, Gboko and Akpagher, from the beginning of April until the end of September, coinciding with the end of the dry season and the first 5 months of the wet season. Of 1054 goats that were examined, 80.5% carried gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes belonging to the genera Haemonchus (61.0%), Oesophagostomum (21.0%) and Trichostrongylus (17.9%). Faecal egg counts (FEC) increased very slowly but significantly from April to maximum levels in September, and varied marginally between the two market sources. The majority of goats (68.8 and 70.1% at the two markets) had low FEC not exceeding 50 eggs/g (epg). FEC did not differ significantly between the sexes or between age classes. Packed cell volume (PCV) also declined significantly with month of the study, but was affected by host sex (a significant month × sex interaction) being generally higher in male animals throughout the period. There was a highly significant negative correlation between log10(FEC+1) and PCV, when all other factors had been taken into account. Body condition scores (BCS) also declined with month of the study, but there was a marked difference between the two sexes, with male animals generally showing a greater stability of BCS across the months compared with females. Trypanosome infections were found in only 4% of the goats and only during the rainy season. Most infections (92.86%) were caused by Trypanosoma brucei alone although T. vivax and T. congolense were occasionally detected. Overall, the majority of goats sampled each month maintained generally good body condition (BCS 3.0–5.0), normal or slightly reduced PCV, even when concurrently infected with trypanosomes and GI nematodes. However, four concurrently infected goats showed signs of overt anaemia during periods of peak infection, during the late rainy season, with marked reductions in PCV ( < 15%). Two of the infected goats were also in poor body condition with BCS of < 2.0. There was no evidence of additive or synergistic pathogenic effects of the two parasites. These results are discussed in the context of the unexpectedly strong resistance and resilience of the savanna WAD ecotype to its native strains of GI nematode and trypanosome parasites.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection causes eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Baicalein is a flavonoid originally isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of the combination of albendazole and baicalein for treating eosinophilic meningitis in BALB/c mice. Therapeutic efficacy included the survival time, body weight, neurological function, leucocyte and eosinophil counts, eotaxin concentration, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity, larval recovery and histopathological examination. The results showed that the combination of albendazole and baicalein was more effective than either drug administered singly. Combination therapy increased the survival time, decreased body weight loss, neurological dysfunction, leucocyte response, eotaxin concentration and MMP-9 activity. Our results suggest that the combination of albendazole and baicalein may exhibit synergistic beneficial effects in the treatment of eosinophilic meningitis induced by A. cantonensis.

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by adult or larval (metacestode) stages of cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antigenic ability of hydatid cyst fluid antigen for the diagnosis of hydatidosis in cattle using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect haemagglutination test (IHA). The source of the antigens for the serological tests was fertile crude cyst fluids collected from naturally infected sheep at the Addis Ababa abattoir. A total of 502 sera were collected from 329 uninfected cattle and 173 hydatid-infected cattle which were confirmed by post-mortem examination. Most cysts were sterile and multiple organ infection predominated. Of 173 infected cattle, 166 (96.0%; confidence interval (CI) 91.8–98.4) were positive using ELISA while 7 (4.0%) were negative. Of 329 sera from uninfected cattle, 274 (83.3%; CI 78.8–87.2) were found to be negative and the remaining 55 (16.7%) were positive by ELISA. Of 173 infected cattle, 151 (87.3%; CI 81.4–91.9) were positive and 22 (12.7%) were negative by IHA. Of 329 negative sera tested using IHA, 266 (80.9%; CI 76.2–85.0) were negative and the remaining 63 (19.1%) were positive. The false positive and negative values of ELISA were 4.0 and 16.7%, respectively, and the corresponding values of IHA were 12.7 and 19.1%. The sensitivity and diagnostic efficiency of IHA were 87.2 and 83.6%, respectively. Crude hydatid cyst fluid antigen seems to have reasonable antigenic properties and hence could be employed for epidemiological surveillance of cattle hydatidosis.

A wild population of the lymnaeid snail Pseudosuccinea columella infected by larval stages of Fasciola hepatica was discovered in the Pinar del Río Province, Cuba. One of 100 snails was infected in a rice culture field. This is the first time this species has been found acting as intermediate host of F. hepatica under natural conditions, not only for Cuba but also for the Caribbean area.