The history of the beet-strain of Heterodera schachtii in Germany, where it was first recognized in 1859, and its subsequent discovery in other beet-growing European countries and the United States of America, have already been described in some detail in a Memorandum published by the Imperial Bureau of Agricultural Parasitology. This Memorandum was published in 1931 with the object of emphasizing the potential danger of Heterodera schachtii to the sugar-beet industry, then comparatively newly established in Britain. Observations carried out in America are quoted, which strongly indicated that the eelworm was introduced into the United States by the use of seed imported from European countries where the infection was known to be intense and of long standing; this contention, however, does not yet appear to have been decisively proved. The danger of repeated beet cultivation, without regard to rotation of crops, was particularly emphasized with reference to the wide distribution of the potato-strain of H. schachtii in Britain, and such infections as were already known to occur on other host-plants were noted.

Biochanin A (BCA) is a multifunctional natural compound that possesses anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and hepatoprotective effects. The aim of the study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of BCA on Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Fifty mice were divided into six different groups as non-infected, non-infected BCA-treated, infected untreated, early infected BCA-treated (seven days post-infection (dpi)), late infected BCA-treated 60 dpi and infected praziquantel (PZQ)-treated groups. Parasitological, histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were investigated in liver sections. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene expression of S. mansoni was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). A single dose of BCA significantly reduced worm burden in early (82.14%) and late infection (77.74%), mean tissue egg load in early (7.27 ± 0.495) and late BCA administration (7.63 ± 0.435) and decreased granuloma size. CYP450 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in early BCA treatment as compared to late treatment which emphasizes that early administration of BCA had more pronounced effects on worms than late administration. Both early and late BCA administration led to significant reduction in inflammatory cytokines as TGF and iNOS. Although the reduction of TGF and iNOS in BCA-treated mice was superior to PZQ, no statistically significant differences were noted. However, a significant downregulation of COX2 was noted in hepatocytes as compared to both infected control and PZQ-treated mice. BCA has schistosomicidal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic effects and could be regarded as a potential drug in schistosomiasis treatment.

This paper embodies certain experiments on control of the nematode Aphelenchoides ritzema-bosi Schwartz, 1911, on chrysanthemums, and were started in September 1930 at the request of several commercial chrysanthemum growers in Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

It is only within the last few years that the various species of Bulbous Irises have been recognised as host of Anguillulina dipsaci. Despite the comparative paucity of information on the matter there is evidence of the likelihood of infestations becoming serious in the immediate future. It may, therefore, be of value to place on record such information as is at present available.

Cystic liver disease (CLD), presenting with solitary or multiple cysts in the liver, is a common diagnosis today, primarily due to the frequent application of modern radiological methods. There is a wide range of possible causes. CLD of infective origin is usually caused by an echinococcal species. During the past three decades a number of cystic echinococcosis (CE) control programmes have led to a significant decrease in the incidence of human hydatidosis in some endemic areas. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of E. granulosus infection in Croatian patients with CLD. A total of 540 serum samples from patients with hepatic cysts detected by imaging methods were screened for the presence of E. granulosus IgG antibodies using semiquantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Western blot technique was used as a confirmatory test for the CE diagnosis. The overall E. granulosus seroprevalence rate in patients with CLD was 3.9%. There was no significant difference in seroprevalence rate between male and female patients (P = 0.541). According to age groups, there was a significant difference in seropositivity among age groups (P = 0.002). The highest seroprevalence rate was detected in the youngest age group (up to 18 years), both in males and females (20% and 13%, respectively). This study indicates that CE still represents a public health problem in Croatia. Preventive measures should be used to control Echinococcus infections, including avoidance of contact with infected dogs, egg-contaminated soil or plants; control and treatment of dogs with antihelmintics; hand washing, improved sanitation and health education.

Bunocotyle progenetica is a hemiuroid digenean whose sexual adults become fully developed and lay their eggs inside the rediae in the molluscan host. In this study, the fine structure of the germinal mass, brood cavity and birth canal in the B. progenetica rediae was examined using transmission electron and confocal microscopy. The large germinal mass attached to the body wall has a cellular composition typical for this organ. The characteristic traits of this germinal mass are weakly developed supporting tissue and the presence of deep lacunae opening into the brood cavity. These lacunae presumably participate in feeding the deeply lying embryos and facilitate their release into the brood cavity. The germinal mass is also characterized by intensive degeneration of cellular elements, which may represent a mechanism controlling the offspring number, limited in this species by the size of the redial brood cavity. The brood-cavity lining consists of flattened cells bearing lamellar projections and is connected anteriorly with the epithelium of the birth canal. The brood-cavity musculature, which is well developed in other hemiuroid digeneans, is significantly reduced in B. progenetica, most likely because their cystophorous cercariae remain inside the rediae, removing the need for muscle contractions pushing them through the brood cavity. The birth canal comprises three regions distinguished by the structure of the lining and muscle arrangement. The comparison of rediae of B. progenetica with parthenitae of other digeneans has shown that the organization of the redial reproductive apparatus in this species may have been influenced by life-cycle modification.

A new genus and species of the philometrid nematode Dentirumaiphilippinensis n. gen., n. sp. Philometrinae, Philometridae, are described on the basis of the female specimens found in the loach goby, Rhyacichthys aspro (Valenciennes), from the upper Bianuan River, Municipality of Casiguran, Aurora Province, in the Philippine Archipelago. Dentirumai philippinensis was collected from the body cavity, subcutaneous tissues near the bases of the pectoral and pelvic fins, and surrounding body tissues in the hypaxial musculature of R. aspro. Based on light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination, the new nematode species is morphologically close to the genus Rumai Travassos, 1960 except for one major difference, i.e. the presence of a sclerotized ring in the oral aperture armed with distinct numerous minute teeth on its inner surface. This important taxonomic feature makes it possible to erect a new genus, Dentirumai n. gen. to accommodate the newly discovered philometrid species. A key to genera of the Philometrinae is provided.

The formation of the egg mass in the ootype, containing the oocyte, vitelline cells, numerous spermatozoa and Mehlis’ gland secretion marks the beginning of eggshell formation. Mehlis’ gland cells pour their lipoprotein secretion into the ootype; this secretion forms a thin template around the egg mass and upon this template the shell globules are deposited. Eggshell formation begins in the proximal uterus and is completed in the middle uterus. The eggshells are devoid of phenols and phenolase indicating that hardening is not by quinone tanning. The eggshells contain keratin and are stabilized by disulphide linkages.

1. A new genus and species of Isoparorchiidae Poche, 1926, is described from the air-bladder of the marine catfish, Anus jella (Val.), caught off the coast of Waltair, India. The new fluke is named Elongoparorchis pneumatis.

2. The new genus Elongoparorchis bears a superficial resemblance to the genus Isoparorchis Southwell, 1913, but differs appreciably in the structure of the testes, the ovary and the vitellaria to warrant the separation.

Twenty-eight cases of adult or larval worms belonging to the genus Gnathostoma Owen, 1886, have been recorded from man.

One of the earliest records is from Malaya where Samy (1918) extracted a larval gnathostome from the finger of a young male Chinese.

The material of this study consists of three monogenetic trematodes which were collected in mid August, I960 from the urinary bladder of Rana (Ptychadena) oxyrhynchus caught in Kumba, the Cameroons (West Africa). Mr. F. R. N. Pester, F.I.S.T., of the Department of Parasitology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine kindly forwarded the material to the writer for identification.

The specimens are all identical, belonging to a new species of the genus Polystoma Zeder, 1800 which is described herein as Polystoma Prudhoei sp. nov. in honour of Mr. S. Prudhoe of the Department of Zoology, the British Museum (Natural History) for his unfailing help and advice.

The conglutinating complement absorption test (CCAT) has been used to detect Cysticercus tenuicollis (Taenia hydatigena cysticercus) infection in sheep and goats. Sera from naturally infected sheep and goats showing a titre above 1:40 were considered positive for cysticercosis. Experimentally infected lambs gave a higher antibody response than sheep and goats.

Earlier in this volume (pp. 27–30), the writer has given an account of an eelworm obtained from a diseased potato tuber, possessing a mouth stylet with six basal swellings, an œsophagus without a muscular bulb such as occurs in Tylenchus and Aphelenchus, a vulva much more posterior in position than in the two genera just mentioned and a uterus without a post-vulvar diverticulum. On these characters the worms were placed in a new genus, Hexatylus.

The question of the immunity of the pig to ascariasis has been considered by helminthologists for some years and is still a vexed question. Ransom (1922) was of the opinion that the pig became immune at the age of 4 months but this was refuted by Morgan of the Institute of Agricultural Parasitology who, in 1931 successfully infected pigs at the age of 10 months and by the present writer (1934) at the age of a year. Sandground in 1929 referred to the difficulty of establishing infections under normal conditions though it is well known that almost every pig under field conditions picks up an infection at an early age. Furthermore, it is notoriously difficult to keep pigs “clean” for experimentation though this can be done, as it is done here, by careful attention to detail during rearing.

In a previous paper (1938) it was recorded that lemon-shaped cysts of the nematode Heterodera schachtii are frequently to be found in pasture soils. In many cases the soil has not, at least for a number of years, borne a crop such as oats or mangolds likely to have been infected with this nematode. The eelworm must therefore parasitize some plant or plants commonly to be found in pastures.

1. The pathology of Stephanofilaria kaeli lesions is described from the legs of cattle in Malaya.

2. The possible modes of transmission of the parasite are discussed based on the pathology.

3. A comparison is made between the pathology of Stephanofilaria kaeli lesions and those produced by other species of Stephanofilaria.

Since Fasciola sp. contained proteolytic enzyme(s), it was confirmed that degradation took place in protein components in extracts of the liver flukes, which resulted in lack of clarity of sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Degradation was shown to occur mostly during a heating process of the extract samples. The proteolytic activity in the extracts was completely blocked and electrophoretic patterns were improved only by the use of cysteine proteinase inhibitor N-[N-(L-3-trans-carboxyoxiran-2-carbonyl)-L-leucyl]-agmatine (E-64). Great improvement was also noted in electrophoretic patterns of the extracts of other trematodes, such as Paragonimus westermani, P. miyazakii and Clonorchis sinensis, when their extracts were treated with E-64.

The ultrastructural morphology of the alimentary tract of the third-stage larvae of Litomosoides carinii (Nematoda: Filarioidea) is described. The oesophagus possesses the characteristic tri-radiate lumen and is lined by cuticle. The lumen of the oesophagus is tightly occluded anteriorly by particulate material and posteriorly at the oesophagointestinal junction. Three glands are present in the glandular region, one dorsal and two subventral. These glands contain secretory granules with similar morphological and staining properties. The lumen of the intestine is ill-defined without microvilli and apparently non-functional. It is likely that the larvae feed via the transcuticular route.

The oocapt of Paramphistomum cervi has a narrow constriction followed by a wide lumen with a thickened wall and is surrounded by several unicellular flask-shaped gland cells opening into the lumen. The oocapt gland cells are filled with granules, the size and number of which vary in the body cells and its duct. Histochemical studies have shown that the oocapt gland cells secrete mainly mucoproteins but a few lipoprotein and phospholipid granules have also been observed. The passage of the oocyte through the lumen of the oocapt, appears to stimulate the oocapt gland cells to release their secretion which seems to be involved in transport of the oocyte through the oviduct.

In 1956 the author described five new species of Procamallanus from India and also gave an amended key to the species, originally described by Annereaux (1946). Meanwhile a few more species were reported from India and elsewhere, but as the author had no access to the publications, these species were not included in the key. To clarify certain points the following review is given.