Descriptions of four new tylenchs belonging to different genera are given : (1) Tylenchus (Tylenchus) holochmatus n.sp., (2) Tylenchorhynchus varicaudatus n.sp., (3) Trichotylenchus trilokiae n.sp., (4) Helicotylenchus pteracercus n.sp. The material of the first described species was collected in North India and that of the other new species in South India. Systematic features of new species are fully discussed and compared with those of the related forms.

Detailed descriptions are given of Tylenchorhynchus digitatus and Pratylenchus indicus described by Das (I960) from Hyderabad. The material was collected from type locality but from different hosts. Tylenchorhynchus curvus Williams, 1960, is recorded from India.

Species reported as causing damage to economically important plants in Hyderabad are : Hoplolaimus seinhorsti Luc, 1958, parasitic in cauliflower; Pratylenchus thornei Sher and Allen, 1953, parasitic in maize and Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira, 1940, parasitic in grape vines.

Ligula (Cestoda: Pseudophyllidea) infections in gudgeon (Gobio gobio) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) differ markedly in the pathology that is observed in the host, particularly with respect to a tissue response and the extent of inhibition of gonadal development. The entire internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS-1, 5.8S and ITS-2) and the large subunit domains D1–D3 were sequenced and compared in parasites from these fish from Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland, together with a single specimen from minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) from Wales. Sufficient differences were observed between parasites from R. rutilus and G. gobio to support the suggestion that they may represent different strains/species. In contrast, Ligula from P. phoxinus closely resembled those from R. rutilus. Ligula infections in G. gobio were recorded prior to the introduction of R. rutilus. The co-existence of separate strains or species of Ligula in Lough Neagh probably resulted from the introduction of R. rutilus to these waters, correlated with an increase in the number of great crested grebes (Podiceps cristatus).

Gyrodactylus alviga is a generalist species reported in many Black Sea fish species, but whiting is known to be its main host. It is the only monogenean parasite that has been reported so far on the skin, fins and gills of whiting Merlangius merlangus in the Black Sea. A total of 690 fish from Turkey and 423 fish from Russia were examined to detect parasites. Infection indices of prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance values were calculated for length classes and sex of fish, as well as for the seasons. There is a gradual increase in infection indices in relation with increasing host length classes and there are higher infection indices on female fish. Furthermore, despite lower prevalence indices in spring and winter, higher parasite intensity values were determined in these seasons. It is concluded that larger fish provided more space and food for G. alviga, and female fish were more parasitized as they were more active in searching for food, which enables the parasite to switch between hosts. In addition, winter and spring were more appropriate for reproduction of G. alviga.

The ability of total homogenate (TH) of Fasciola hepatica conjugated with aluminium hydroxide (alum) or Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) to protect cattle against experimental fasciolosis was evaluated. Compared with the infected group, the immunized animals with alum-TH and FCA-TH presented a significant reduction in fluke burden (85.9% and 96.8%, respectively), a higher percentage of short-sized worms, a marked reduction in the released eggs in faeces (89% and 57%, respectively), as well as an increased production of specific antibodies before infection. The alum-TH immunized group also showed a significant increase in the antigen-specific proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as early as 4 weeks before infection. Although both immunized groups (alum-TH and FCA-TH) were able to develop an efficient protective immune response to metacercarial challenge, an earlier PBMC response, lower hepatic damage and less effect on weight gain were found in alum-immunized animals. Therefore, alum is a good candidate for future immunization against bovine fasciolosis.

This study evaluated the existence of different genotypes of Haemonchus contortus prevailing among goats in West Bengal, India. These parasites were isolated from the abomasum of goat intestine and the molecular characterization was performed by comparing variation of nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene region. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of ITS-1 amplified product showed the presence of three distinct conformations both in male and female parasites. The sequence analysis of conformations showed two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in male parasites at nucleotide positions 106 and 107 and one SNP was detected in female parasites at nucleotide position 157. These nucleotide variations in different isolates did not alter the interior loop structure of the predicted secondary RNA, therefore we believe these variations may not be responsible for any evolutionary changes among conformations.

According to the Brazilian Agricultural Ministry, the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil has decreased between 1990 and 1998, possibly due to the common use of albendazole to control parasites in sheep. Therefore, albendazole (ABZ) action was tested on hydatid cysts of sheep experimentally infected with eggs of Echinococcus granulosus in Uruguaiana County (RS) with the aim of evaluating the observed changes in the parasite's prevalence. The sheep were divided into three groups of 15 animals each and treated as follows. Group 01 was a control (without treatment), groups 02 and 03 received 7.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg, respectively, of ABZ orally for 12 months, at intervals between 36 and 45 days. At the end of the studied period the animals were necropsied and the viability of the hydatid cysts was evaluated. Lung and hepatic cysts of sheep treated with ABZ were reduced in size. Degeneration and evident calcification were seen in 87.3% (group 02) and 75.7% (group 03), which were significantly different (P < 0.01) from the 17.3% demonstrated in the control group. It could be concluded that ABZ used early and over long periods, even in small doses, is capable of promoting lesions that devitalize the cysts. This leads to a decrease in fertility of E. granulosus in sheep and could be the reason why the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis has decreased in recent years.

The aim of this study was to determine if the plerocercoid larvae of Gymnorhynchus gigas, a common cestode of the ray’s bream (Brama raii), possess antigenic compounds potentially capable of provoking anaphylactic episodes. A murine experimental model, using BALB/c mice, was developed to study the humoral immune response induced by G. gigas extracts. A highly specific humoral immune response was detected and cross-reactions were not observed between parasite and host antigens. The presence of IgM and IgG3 levels suggest the presence of thymus-independent antigens in the parasitic extract. The IgG antibody class showed the highest levels, with the IgG1 the predominant subclass. These IgG1 levels are in accordance with the supposed presence of a type I allergic reaction after the ingestion of G. gigas plerocercoids parasitizing fish, as well as inducing anaphylaxia in fish. These results indicate that somatic products released from ingested larvae of G. gigas could induce the development of a Th2 response capable of causing allergic disorders.

The component community of larval trematodes in the freshwater snail Semisulcospira nakasekoae (Caenogastropoda: Sorbeoconcha: Pleuroceridae) was surveyed over 13 months from April 1996 to April 1997 inclusive. Temporal and spatial fluctuation of trematode prevalence, the frequency of multiple infections, and the duration of cercarial shedding were examined as factors that might affect trematode community structure. The spatial prevalence of some species varied significantly, but the dynamics were too small to allow an explanation of the overall pattern. The prevalence of sanguinicolids fluctuated temporally, despite a stable size distribution in the host populations (> 6.0 mm shell width), suggesting the life-cycle phenology of this species. Some pairs of species had statistically positive associations, but no pairs had negative associations. This shows the importance of positive association possibly as a result of suppression of the host defensive response on trematode community structures in molluscan hosts. The length of the patent period, which is part of the persistent period, varied among trematode species, suggesting it to be one of the factors determining prevalence in the host population.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different temperatures and humidities on the infectivity of Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices. Eighteen dogs (6 groups, n = 3 each) were fed with offal mince harbouring approximately 20,000 protoscolices of E. granulosus of different viabilities. Dogs were infected with E. granulosus protoscolices of: (1) 5% viability at − 10°C and 50% relative humidity (RH); (2) 30% viability at 0°C and 60% RH; (3) 20% viability at +10°C and 65% RH; (4) 15% viability at +30°C and 75% RH; (5) 11% viability at +40°C and 80% RH; (6) 68% viability (control group). Dogs in each group were necropsied at 29–49 days post-infection. Mean intensities of E. granulosus recovered from dogs were 256.7 ± 60.3 in the second group; 32.7 ± 7.1 in the third group; 40.3 ± 15.5 in the fourth group and 1533 ± 513 in the control group. However, no parasites were recovered from the first and fifth groups. Results obtained in the present study show that larval stages could be infective for 1 to 4 weeks during spring, autumn or winter months when maximal temperatures are approximately 0–10°C. In conclusion, cold-storage depots in slaughterhouses and abattoirs where sheep carcasses might be discarded should be kept at − 20°C for 2–3 days, dogs should be properly controlled and adequate control programmes must be established in areas where the disease is endemic.

Proteocephalus pentastoma and Polyonchobothrium polypteri are redescribed from specimens from Polypterus spp. in the Sudan. Proteocephalus pentastoma is considered to be a valid species.

The following description is based upon a specimen which was evacuated from a Kea, Nestor notabilis, kept in captivity in the London Zoological Gardens. The Kea, a member of the Psittacciformes, has a very limited distribution, occurring only in South Island, New Zealand. This particular bird had arrived from New Zealand and had been living in the Zoo six months before the cestode was evacuated.

It is believed that this cestode represents a genus new to science, and the name Pulluterina is proposed, with the specific name P. nestoris after the host.

Echinococcosis in man and animals has been reported to be endemic in the Middle East(MAIOSMAN et al., 1977). As a result of this report and recent interest by the WorldHealth Organization to define more clearly the problem of hydatid disease in theMiddle East, the incidence of hydatid cysts found at surgery and at autopsy in theNcgcv region of Israel was retrospectively examined for the years 1970–1979.

Anguillulina has been revived by Baylis and Daubney (1926) as the correct generic name for those worms which for many years have been considered as belonging to the genus Tylenchus, at least by most specialists on nematodes and plant-pathologists. Gervais and van Beneden on pp. 101 and 102 of the second volume of their work Zoologie Médicale, published in 1859, gave a brief account of the eelworm parasite of wheat causing “purples” or “cockles” and that found by Kuhn in 1858 in the heads of the fuller's thistle, teasle, both of which they designate as Anguillulines (Anguillulina) as follows:—Anguillilina tritici and Anguillulina dipsaci.

It may be pointed out, in passing, that they were not consistent in the use of the word, for at the end of the description of A. dipsaci they spell it as Anguillula not Anguillulina. This may, however, perhaps be regarded as an unintentional slip or a printer's error. Bastian's paper in which first the name Tyleenchus and then Tylenchus is applied to members of this genus appeared in 1865 and he designated Tylenchus davainii as type species of the genus in a letter to Stiles dated March 22nd, 1904, vide Stiles and Hassall (1905).

The Potato Testing Station at Ormskirk, a branch of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, has during the past season, been found to include considerable areas of land heavily infested with the eelworm Heterodera schachtii. This discovery was made subsequent to the failure of some of the potato crops, which, in the course of the normal rotation practised at the station, happened last season to be grown on the affected areas.

1. A new species, Anthobothrium taeniuri n.sp., has been described from the spiral intestine of the sting ray, Taeniura lymma from the Red Sea and compared with related species.

2. The two genera Rhodobothrium Linton, 1889 and Inermipyllidium Riser, 1955 are considered to be synonyms of Anthobothrium van. Beneden, 1850.

1. A new species, Stellocaronema buckleyi, is described from the Indian Red-wattled Lapwing (Lobivanellus indicus indicus) from Sheikhupura district of the Punjab province of Pakistan.

2. The following species are recorded from new hosts and for the first time from Pakistan: Hadjelia truncata and Dispharynx spiralis from the Indian Magpie (Pica pica); Acuaria anthuris from the Rosy Pastor (Pastor roseus); Acuaria brevispicula and Diplotriaena nochti from the Indian Mynah (Acridotheres ginginianus).

3.It is contended that Diplotriaena tricuspis of Canavan (1931) and Mazhar (1933) are identical with Diplotriaena nochti, and that Diplotriaena acridotheres (Karve, 1934) and Diplotriaena nagpurensis (Karve, 1934) should also be treated as synonyms of D. nochti

4.Acuaria brevispicula Maplestone, 1932 has been redescribed and certain discrepancies in Maplestone's description, due to insufficient material, have been made good. It is contended that A. kungi Singh, 1948 should fall as a synonym to A. brevispicula.

A Fasciola hepatica tegument antigen preparation was obtained from intact adult worms by solubilization with a non-ionic detergent, Nonident P-40. This antigen preparation contains antigens useful for the serodiagnosis of infection with this parasite. However, the antigen preparation is inadequate for use in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The present work demonstrates that fractionation by demulsification of this antigen preparation with ammonium sulphate results in a soluble aqueous phase which contains F. hepatica serodiagnostic antigens which can then be applied to the ELISA. This F. hepatica tegument antigen preparation when used m the ELISA can detect rabbit fascioliasis two weeks after infection, with antibody levels peaking by 10 to 12 weeks of infection.

When mice were treated with 1–25 mg cortisone acetate thrice weekly, recovery of Hymenolepis murissylvaticae was significantly higher than in untreated controls, both in oral infections with six cysticercoids and surgical transplantations of one 7-day or 8-day-old worm. Cortisone treatment also resulted in the worms being located more anteriorly in the small intestine.Evidence of an immunological response against the tapeworm in the intestine is given by: (a) an accelerated rejection of a secondary oral cysticercoid infection and a significant difference of the dry weights of the worms recovered on day 10 in CFLP mice; (b) an accelerated rejection of a secondary surgical infection on days 4 and 6 in CFLP mice and on days 3 and 4 in NMRI mice; (c) an accelerated rejection of a secondary surgical infection given 3 and 6 months after the primary immunizing infection in SWlSS-albino mice.

The efficiency of a new anticestode compound, 3,5-dibromo-2'-chloro-4'-isothiocyanato salicylanilide (GUPTA et al. 1980) for mass eradication of hymenolepiasis from rat colonies was assessed in a pilot study. The drug was administered with milk or food. For effective eradication, depending on the size of animals, single or multiple doses of 100 to 500 mg of the drug'kg body-weight, mixed in milk, or 50mg/kg in feed were necessary. Better results were obtained when the compound was given in feed as it ensured effective consumption irrespective of the seasonal variations. The efficacy of the compound was also assessed on cysticcrcoids in intermediate hosts (Tribalium confusum) by feeding them on flour medicated at 5%, l% and 0.1% levels. None of the concentrations killed the larvae or arrested their development.

Continuing the work on which a paper was published by the writer in the Journal of Helminthology, April, 1937, it was decided to concentrate on calcium chloro-acetate in the 1938 field experiments on soil treatment for the control of the potato sickness associated with Heterodera schachtii.

Tests were made at five different centres in the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth with amounts equivalent to 3 cwt. and 5 cwt. to the acre.