Ocular lesions have been reported in patients with schistosomiasis; however, the problem with studying schistosomal infection of the human eye is that biopsies are almost impossible to take, and histopathological examination of suspicious lesions can only be undertaken post-mortem or after enucleation. This work aimed to study the possible effects and pathogenesis of schistosomiasis on the eye. This study involved 55 hamsters; five hamsters remained non-infected and the remaining 50 hamsters were infected with Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. Infected hamsters were sacrificed on weeks 8, 12, 16 and 20 post-infection (pi). Eye sections were prepared and stained for histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. Histopathological changes detected in hamsters infected after 16 and 20 weeks included looseness and oedema of the innermost retinal layers together with hyperplastic polypoid growth. Neither eggs nor granulomata were detected in eye sections throughout the experimental period. Deposition of S. mansoni antigen was revealed in 35% of infected hamsters. Later, on weeks 16 and 20 pi, moderate subepithelial conjuctival deposits and marked subchoroidal and scleral deposition were detected. In conclusion, the deposition of schistosomal antigen and immune complexes may play a pivotal role in the ocular changes that occur in schistosomiasis, even in the absence of detectable Schistosoma eggs. Schistosomiasis should be suspected in cases with unexplained ophthalmological findings, especially in endemic areas.

In a note in the British Medical Journal for February 3rd, 1934, there is mention of the anthelmintic action of garlic oil. One paragraph says that good results have been obtained in the treatment of threadworm in children while a second is more specific and quotes the case of a woman who was cured of Ascaris lumbricoides in 36 hours. She passed a male, 13¾ inches long, a female and a bunch of newly hatched young.

Podocotyle is a genus of marine opecoelid digeneans that parasitize a wide variety of fish as adults. We present the first phylogenetic analysis of several Podocotyle isolates using nuclear 28S rDNA and mitochondrial cox1 DNA regions. New sequences were obtained for Podocotyle specimens from fish caught in the Sea of Okhotsk and the White Sea. Based on morphological and molecular data, eight Podocotyle lineages of species rank were revealed. However, this diversity is poorly formalized within the current taxonomic model of the genus. As a result, we identified Podocotyle cf. angulata, Podocotyle cf. atomon, Podocotyle cf. reflexa, Podocotyle atomon of Sokolov et al., 2019, Podocotyle sp. of Denisova et al., 2023, Podocotyle sp. 1, Podocotyle sp. 2 and Podocotyle sp. 3. We also highlight the unresolved question of the life cycles of representatives of Podocotyle whose intramolluscan stages parasitize the intertidal snails Littorina spp.

Abattoirs are vital for gathering information on animal diseases and protecting the public from consuming infected or unhygienic meat. To assess the major reasons for organ and carcass condemnations and their financial implications, we reviewed 10-year abattoir records of slaughtered bovines between January 2005 and December 2014 at Kombolcha ELFORA abattoir, north-east Ethiopia. Of the 46,913 cattle slaughtered during that period, 17,963 (38.3%) had at least one disease condition. Lungs (10.67%) and liver (25%) were the most affected and condemned organs, followed by heart (1.53%), head (0.56%), tongue (0.17%) and kidney (0.32%). The major conditions responsible for condemnation were fasciolosis (49.89%), hydatid cyst (55.55%), pericarditis (78.2%), hydronephrosis (35.8%), abscess (71.7%) and abscess (43.9%), in liver, lung, heart, kidneys, head and tongue, respectively. The direct financial losses incurred from organ and carcass condemnation over the 10-year period amounted to ETB 1,219,399 (USD 61,946.9), with parasitic diseases such as fascioliasis and hydatidosis accounting for ETB 256,837.5 (USD 13,047.64) and ETB 170,827.5 (USD 8678.23) in losses, respectively. This study describes a significant loss of cheap and reliable sources of protein due to non-utilization of infected organs or carcasses, emphasizing the need to implement integrated approaches in disease surveillance and control programmes.

The use of 75Selenomethionine labelled cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni for ultrastructural localization of parasites in host tissues has been evaluated. Both gamma counting of tissue, and autoradiography of resin-embedded tissue were successful. The autoradiographic technique was more sensitive and schistosomula were readily located in pulmonary tissue up to 24 days post-infection.

Sporocysts capable of producing active miracidia were recovered from the upper branchial chamber of the snail species, Melania tuberculata and M.scabra. The non-ocellate miracidium was characterised by the presence of 22 epidermal plates in four tiers, an apical gland with four nuclei and two penetration glands. Sporocysts were of two types, one producing active miracidia and the other in which daughter sporocysts and miracidia were found. These sporocysts were characterised by the presence of bunches of circular muscles at intervals and also by the presence of a network of muscle fibres at the anterior and posterior one fifth regions. Development of the miracidia took place in compartments. Histochcmical tests were carried out as regards glycogen, protein, lipids and phosphomonoesterases.

The study describes methods developed for using video-imaging technology to record and measure the velocity of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. The efficacy of the classical bioassay procedure (a qualitative behavioural assay) was compared with that of the new quantitative protocol, for assessing the sub-lethal impact of a larvicidal dichloromethane extract of the seeds of Millettia thonningii on miracidia. The new technique confirmed the efficacy of the classical bioassay for rapid determination of the lethal and sub-lethal impact of larvicides but also provided quantitative information on sub-lethal impacts on miracidial velocity and shape.

Comparative efficacy of mebendazole and flubendazole, a p−fluor analogue of mebendazole against the encysted larvae of Trichinella spiralis (USA strain) in the diaphragm of mice and rats were studied in order to provide a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship within the benzimidazole series. Drugs given 10–100 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days (35–37 days post-infection) or at 300 mg/kg, 35 days post infection were significantly effective in decreasing early encysted larvae in mice. No significant differences in effectiveness against the early encysted larvae could be observed between the drugs under the present experimental conditions. Mebendazole was found to be more effective that flubendazole in decreasing old encysted larvae in mice treated 70–72 days post-infection based on a comparative study of their ED50 values. When rats were given the drugs at the dose of 10 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days, mebendazole was significantly effective against both early and old encysted larvae while flubendazole was not.

In an experiment previously reported (1941) we were able to show little anthelmintic effect against the gastro-intestinal nematodes of sheep after using phenothiazine powder in single doses up to 0·3 gm. per Kg. body weight. In view of our experience and its contrast with that of many" other workers, we felt it desirable to test a much larger dose, to compare it with another brand of the drug, and (because of the very large variation in worm burden from lamb to lamb) to use not less than four lambs in each treatment group.

Accordingly, 12 lambs from a flock known to be naturally infested were purchased last November, and these were divided at random into three groups as follows: A, untreated controls; B, given compressed 5 gm. tablets of phenothiazine (recently placed on the market by a well-known firm) at the rate of 5 gm. per 5 Kg. body weight; and C, given phenothiazine powder in water as a drench, at the same dosage rate, with the addition to each dose of 1 gm. sodium glycocholate as a wetting agent. This powder was from the same batch as that used in our previous experiment. In each case the full amount was given as a single dose.

The same three criteria of efficacy were used as before: three eggcountings and lamb-weighings before and after treatment, and post mortem worm-counts. Eggs were counted by the same modified McMaster technique, the individual counts representing the eggs in 0·005 gm. of faeces, but on this occasion only three cells were counted per sheep per day.

The structure of the female reproductive tract, and the patterns of oogenesis, fertilization and embryogenesis were examined from two adult female Loa loa (Nematoda: Filarioidea) from Gabon. They were found to be indistinguishable in the two specimens, and almost indistinguishable from the pattern previously described from Dirofilaria immitis, except in chromosome number. Loa loa has 2n=10+X0.

The cysticercoids of Dicranotaenia coronula and Microsomacanthuscompressa are recorded from the stomach contents of Lymnaea peregra and L. stagnalis, and M. compressa also from L. palusiris at the Wentloog level, near Cardiff, South Wales. The cysticercoids of Haploparaksis cirrosa and Kowalewskius parvitla found in the botryoidal tissue of Erpdbdella octoculata from a pool at Llynheilin, New Radnor, are described. The adults of K. parvttla reached maturity in 17 days, in a duckling, and the egg capsules produced contained approximately 100 oncospheres in each.

Eelworm disease of tulips was first reported by Bos (1906) in bulbs of the varieties “La Reine” and “Yellow Prince,” grown at Sassenheim in Holland. Westerdijk (1906) dealt a little more fully with the same outbreak, described the typical brown ring symptoms shown by the bulbs and reported on a few preliminary trials designed to determine whether the parasite belonged to the same biological race as that attacking hyacinths.

Theobald (1912) reported the presence of Tylenchus devastatrix in a number of tulip bulbs (variety unnamed) which had been spnt to him from Dublin, Ireland. In a later note Theobald (1924–25) speaks of a tulip grower in Thanet, Kent, having such bad attacks of eelworm in his bulbs that he decided to remove his nursery to clean ground. Whether the stem eelworm was actually found in affected tulip bulbs was, however, not stated.

Trichinosis is a disease which is characterised by profound absolute and relative variations in the leucocyte ratios of the circulating blood, more particularly a marked eosinophilia, and in moderate cases, concurrent neutrophilia (van Someren, 1938). It is obvious that these changes in the peripheral blood are the outcome of disturbances in the development of the precursor cells of the haemopoietic system, especially in the bone marrow; the lymphocytogenic tissue in the spleen and lymph glands does not appear to be so markedly activated, except in very severe cases or late in the course of the disease.

A new species of amphistome cercaria from Planorbis exustus in Cachar District, Assam, is described.

Feeding experiments with the encysted cercariae to two calves and a pig proved negative.

The prevalence Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a metastrongylid lungworm of rats, was investigated in three common species of rodents in the Greater Bombay area, namely, Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus and Bandicota bengalensis. In all, 737 R. norvegicus, 100 R. rattus and 100 B. bengalensis were examined and the presence of A. cantonensis infection was noticed in R. norvegicus (1·62%). About 800 slugs (Laevicaulis alte) were examined and were found to harbour third-stage larvae of Angiostrongylus.

A total dose of 30 gm. of phenothiazine, given as tablets in one dose of 15 gm. and three of 5 gm. to three goats and six sheep known to be worm-free, had no effect on the weights of the animals in comparison with equal numbers of worm-free controls, over a period of 15 weeks from the first dose.

It is concluded that weights can validly be used as a criterion of anthelmintic efficacy; they not only constitute an obvious economic criterion, but also are statistically more sensitive than egg-counts when subjected to analysis of covariance.

Non-specific and specific phosphatases have been histochemically localized in the tissues of Avitellina lahorea, an intestinal parasite of sheep and goats. Large quantities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase were observed in almost all organs except the parenchyma where there were moderate amounts of acid phosphatase and no alkaline phosphatase; the reproductive ducts contained moderate amounts of alkaline phosphatase. 5-nucleotidase was observed only in the uterus, egg pouches and eggs and glucose-6-phosphatase activity was restricted to the tegument. The probable functions of these moieties at different sites are discussed.

The earlier work of this Institute on phenothiazine in lambs (Peters et al, 1941; J. Leiper et al, 1941) using egg-counts, worm-counts, and lamb-weights as criteria of anthelmintic efficacy, has revealed conflicting results as between one criterion and another. Thus, the lowest dosage rate used (0·15 gm. per Kg.) led to a reduction in the egg-count, whilst even the highest rate (1 gm. per Kg.) led to no reduction in the worm-count: by an irony of chance the worm-counts were lowest in the untreated controls in both experiments. In the first experiment weights were not affected by the drug, and in the second the only significant effect was a set-back in those lambs given tablets. Numerous other workers have reported increased weights due to the drug, in long-term experiments; ours were too short in duration to show such increases, yet the danger of reinfestation precluded any extension of the time, the lambs being kept outside on infective pastures. The most obvious explanation of the egg- and worm-count results appears to be that the drug has a temporary inhibiting effect on egg-laying, which would presumably return to normal in a few weeks; but here again a prolonged experiment increases the liability to reinfestation.

These being the relevant circumstances, the present experiment was designed to take account of them in the following ways. In the first place the lambs were kept inside throughout the experiment, their stalls being cleaned out thoroughly twice a week to obviate reinfestation.

The structure of the normal coenurus of M. glomeratus is described and some observations have been made on its powers of budding and vegetative growth and reproduction. It is suggested that only a small area of the cyst has the power of growth and development and that budding and daughter cyst formation is an action which attempts to stave off old age and sterility. It has been found possible to cause new growths and infections by the transplantation of certain elements to new hosts. Some remarks are made on the occurrence of abnormalities in a coenurus cyst.

Adults of Hepatojarakus malayae live in the bile duct of many species of Rattus in Peninsular Malaysia, ine life cycle of this parasite was studied in laboratory white rats. Eggs were passed out with the faeces at the early morula stage and hatched within 15 hours, giving rise to the first stage larvae. These developed to the third stage in about 36 hours and these were given orally to new rats in experimental infections. The migratory route of the larvae from the gut to the liver was traced. Penetration into the host appeared to be confined mainly to the fundic wall of the stomach. The larvae presumably followed the portal route to the uver. Here the final moult occurred before the young adults moved into the biliary passages.