One hundred and six of 109 common shrews (Sorex araneus) and 62 of 72 pygmy shrews (S. minutus), obtained by Longworth trapping in Southeast England, were infected with cestodes. Ten species were recovered: Choanotaenia hepatica and Hymenolepis prolifer (found in S. araneus); Choanotaenia crassiscolex, Hymenolepis furcata, H. jacutensis, H. schaldybini, H. scutigera, H. singularis, H. diaphana and H. infirma (in both hosts). The morphology, taxonomy and ecology of these species are discussed and the findings of the present study are discussed with reference to previous studies of the helminth fauna of British shrews. Cysticercoids of C. crassiscolex were found in the snail, Vitrina pellucida, and cysticercoids of H. schaldybini in the staphylinid beetle, Anthobium unicolor.

Species of Cloacina Linstow, 1898 (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) are reported and/or described from the stomach of the macropodid marsupial Wallabia bicolor (Desmarest, 1804) collected in eastern Australia. Nematodes were examined from 26 hosts collected in 3 states and the number of species of Cloacina in any one host was 2 – 7. The following species were encountered: C. wallabiae Johnston and Mawson, 1939, C. gallardi Johnston and Mawson, 1940, C. edwardsi Mawson, 1972 and C. cornuta (Davey and Wood, 1938) the last named constituting a new host record. The following new species are described: C. mawsonae sp. nov., C. papillata sp. nov., C. annulata sp. nov., C. castor sp. nov. and C. pollux sp. nov.

Six nocturnal microfilarial carriers (three with Wuchereria bancrofti and three with Brugia malayi) from mainland China were selected to determine the earliest appearance and peak count of microfilariae (mf) administration of DEC at noon. Before diethylcarbamazine (DEC) administration, blood samples of 60μl were obtained by finger-prick at 2 h intervals for 24 h. A blood sample was then taken just before each carrier intaking 100 mg, 150 mg or 200 mg of DEC orally at noon. After drug administration, blood samples were obtained at 45 and 60 sec and at 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90 and 120 min. Samples were then taken at 2 h intervals for the next 2 h and at 6 h intervals for the next 7 days. Both W. bancrofti and B. malayi showed typical nocturnal periodicity. One mf was first detected in the peripheral blood 45 sec in a mf. carrier. The mf peak counts were found 1–40 min after DEC administration at noon. The nocturnal cycle was distributed during the first two days after DEC administration. It became regular with a much lower peak count by the third day after administration. The results of the present study indicate that the provocative effect of DEC on the mf is very fast; the first appearance in the peripheral blood vessels could be under 45 sec.

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).

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.

Infective larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis may take up and incorporate exogenous arachidonic acid into their lipid pool. By scintillation counting, uptake and incorporation were determined to be time dependent. Arachidonic acid was mainly incorporated into phospholipid (56.8%) and neutral lipid (22.4%) pools. In the neutral lipids, 64.0% was diglyceride and 36.0% triglyceride. Phosphatidylcholine was the predominant fatty acid in the phospholipid pool. In addition to the release of leukotriene B4, the parasite was found to generate radiolabelled CO2 after incubation with [U-14C]arachidonate. Moreover, enzymatic analysis of crude extracts revealed the presence of acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (short and long chain), thiolase, enoyl-CoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. These findings suggest that infective larvae of A. cantonensis not only take up and incorporate exogenous arachidonic acid into their lipid pool, but may also utilize the fatty acid through a functional β-oxidation pathway.

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 prevalence of helminths in pigs was investigated in five rural communities situated on the embankment of Dongting Lake in Zhiyang County, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China, in an area known to be endemic for Schistosoma japonicum. The helminth prevalences identified on the basis of faecal egg count analysis were: Oesophagostomum spp. (86.7%), Ascaris suum (36.7%), Metastrongylus spp. (25.8%), Strongyloides spp. (25.8%), Trichuris suis (15.8%), Globocephalus spp. (6.7%), Gnathostoma spp. (4.2%), Schistosoma japonicum (5.0%) and Fasciola spp. (1.3%). Post mortem examinations of a small number of pigs depositing eggs of different helminth species revealed the presence of Oesophagostomum dentatum, O. quadrispinulatum, A. suum, Metastrongylus apri, M. pudendotectus, T. suis, G. hispidum and Ascarops dentata. Prevalences of all helminths, with the exception of Oesophagostomum spp., were higher in young pigs (< 8 months old) compared with adult pigs. Prevalences of trematodes were very low, especially for S. japonicum which had decreased dramatically compared with previous reports from this area of P.R. China, whereas prevalences of nematodes were generally in agreement with those reported from other Yangtze River Provinces. Results from helminth prevalence studies in pigs, conducted in other provinces of P.R. China between 1987 and 1997, are presented and discussed. It was concluded that a government helminth control programme, implemented in 1995 to control S. japonicum infection in pigs in Hunan Province, may have resulted in a greatly reduced prevalence of S. japonicum in pigs in this region.

A 2-year-old boy living outside the endemic area of lymphatic filariasis in Surat Thani Province, Thailand, developed a high fever. To investigate the cause of his presenting symptoms, blood was collected and microfilariae were detected and identified as Brugia malayi using thick blood smear staining. The sources of the infection were investigated. Microfilariae from two domestic cats residing in the boy's village were detected and identified as B. pahangi using a high-resolution melting real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The possible sources of this cryptic infection are discussed.

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.

1. The susceptibility of two strains of rats, namely London-hooded and Wistar, to infection with S. mansoni has been investigated

2. Although equal numbers of cercariae penetrated the skin in both strains, recovery of worms was always higher from the London-hooded strain irrespective of the dosage level.

3. In both strains there was a significant relationship between body weight at time of infection and number of worms recovered. The correlation was a negative one, indicating that lighter (younger) rats were more susceptible than heavier (older) rats.

4. A rapid rate of elimination of infection was demonstrated in London-hooded rats between the 4th and 8th week after infection.

The northern section of the Caspian Sea and lower reaches of the Zhaiyk (Ural) River is an important fishery for Kazakhstan. In the present study, a total of 1597 individuals of ten fish species were analysed. The fish were caught over three years, from 2018 to 2020. For each species studied – Abramis brama, Alosa saposchnikowii, Atherina boyeri caspia, Carassius gibelio, Chelon auratus, Cyprinus carpio, Leuciscus aspius, Rutilus caspius, Sander marinus and Sander volgensis – between 100 and 200 individuals were examined. A series of generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to examine the association between individual parasite intensity of infection and the Fulton index, age, year the fish was captured, where the fish was captured (northern Caspian or Zhaiyk River) and sex. For each GLM, the best-fitting probability distribution was used –either Poisson, zero-inflated Poisson, negative binomial or zero-inflated negative binomial. For some fish/parasite species, an increased Fulton index was associated with higher intensities of parasite infection, whilst, for others, the Fulton index decreased with the intensity of parasite infection. This was also true of age-related intensity of infection, with some parasites having an increased intensity of infection with age whilst others had a decreased intensity of infection with age. There was also some evidence of variation in intensity of parasite infection between different years when the fish were caught. For some species of fish that are endemic to both the fresh waters of the Zhaiyk River and the low-saline waters of the northern Caspian, there were variations in intensity of parasite infection between the two environments. The best-fitting probability distribution also gave some information about the dynamics of infection. No fish species had a Poisson distribution of parasites, which is consistent with an entirely random infection process, with all fish being potentially exposed. For some parasites, the distribution was a zero-inflated Poisson, which is consistent with either the fish being exposed to parasite infection or not; and, if exposed, infection was a random process. Other parasites had a negative binomial distribution, consistent with the entire fish population being exposed, but the infection process was clumped or there were variations in the susceptibility of infection between fish. Finally, some of the parasites had a zero-inflated negative binomial distribution, which can be interpreted as part of the fish population not being exposed and the remainder of the population being exposed to a clumped or aggregated infection process and/or a variation in individual susceptibility to infection.

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.

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.

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.

The identification of the species of the genus Trichuris has been much simplified since the appearance of a paper by Chandler in 1930 in which he pointed out that the prepuce-like expansion surrounding the extruded spicule has very little diagnostic value because of its extreme variability. The length and appearance of the spicule is useful only when used in conjunction with other characters for this is a variable structure. However, the six species with which he was concerned could readily be distinguished by certain internal structures which seem to exhibit great constancy and reliability. These structures are the length of the cloacal tube and its diverticulum for the head of the spicule, the length and shape of the ejaculatory duct and the nature of the folding of the vas dcferens and of the testis. Using these characters and other minor ones, he was able to give useful descriptions of the males of Trichuris trichiura, T. vulpis, T. ovis, T. minuta and T. leporis and to describe a new species T. tenuis.

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.

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).

Neostrigea africana gen.et sp.nov., Neostrigea leiperi gen.et sp.nov. and Prostrigea arcuata gen.et sp.nov. are described from the intestine of Crocodilus niloticus, Kafue River, Northern Rhodesia. The three species are included in two new genera which are placed in a new family Neostrigeidae.