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The infective stage of Anisakidae nematodes responsible for allergic reactions in humans is found in a variety of edible fish and cephalopods. The identification of geographical regions that are high risk for infected seafood may help prevent allergic reactions in humans. Despite an abundance of published literature which has identified anisakid larvae in an array of edible seafood as well as scattered reports of human allergic anisakiasis, the relationship between the two has not been fully explored. Therefore, a systematic spatio-temporal study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Anisakis spp. in fish from January 2000 to August 2020 firstly to explore the relationship between fish infection and cases of allergic anisakiasis and secondly to use fish infection data to map potential allergic anisakiasis 'hot spots'. A systematic literature search for original English text articles was conducted through search engines, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar. Out of 3228 articles which describe anisakid infection in fish, 264 were used for data extraction. Of 904 articles describing allergic anisakiasis, 37 were used for data extraction. A qualitative summary of the extracted data was performed using equal interval method (ArcMap software) in order to compare the global distribution of Anisakis-infected fish. Of the 152-identified fish hosts, five families were most commonly infected with Anisakis spp. These included Lophiidae (86.9%), Trichiuridae (77.05%), Zeidae (70.9%), Merlucciidae (67.8%) and Gadidae (56.8%). The hot spot areas for allergic anisakiasis were North and northeast of Atlantic Ocean, southwest of USA, west of Mexico, south of Chile, east of Argentina, Norway, UK and west of Iceland (confidence 99%). The highest rate of allergic anisakiasis was in Portugal and Norway with the prevalence rate of 18.45–22.50%. Allergologists should consider allergic anisakiasis as a public health issue particularly in high-risk countries where high prevalences in fish have been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1988, Johannes Eckert was elected member of the Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher Leopoldina (German Academy of Natural Scientists; today German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina). 5 Johannes Eckert (middle), Bruno Gottstein (left), and Horst Aspöck at the 7th "Human Rights and Science" Symposium of the Human Rights Committee (HRC) of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Leopoldina-Jahrbuch 207-209 Ter Meulen V, Hiepe T (2008) Laudatio für Herrn Professor Dr. Johannes Eckert ML anlässlich der Verleihung der Leopoldina-Verdienstmedaille. [Extracted from the article]

In Morocco, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease caused by the flagellated protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum. L. infantum is transmitted by the bite of female phlebotomine sandflies, and its main reservoir hosts are domestic dogs. Asymptomatic infection with L. infantum is more frequent than clinically apparent disease. In HIV-infected patients, the risk of clinical VL is increased due to immunosuppression that may reactivate latent infections. However, coinfected subjects do not necessarily develop VL and may remain as asymptomatic carriers depending on their immune status. The present study investigates the asymptomatic carriers of L. infantum in HIV-infected patients in central Morocco, where human cases of visceral leishmaniasis by L. infantum have been reported. A total of 200 HIV-infected patients attending the Infectious Diseases Unit of the Ibn Zohar Hospital of Marrakech participated in the study. Parasitological and serological blood analyses included a direct microscopic examination (DME), culture in Novy-McNeal-Nicolle (NNN) medium, and serology by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI). We found prevalence rates of 5% (10/200) by IFI, 3% (6/200) by DME, and 2.5% (5/200) by culture. The parasite was identified as L. infantum by PCR from positive cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood parasites of the genus Hepatozoon (Apicomplexa, Hepatozoidae) infect all groups of terrestrial vertebrates, and particularly high prevalence and species diversity have been reported in reptiles and mammals. A few morphologically similar species, in which gamonts inhabit mononuclear leukocytes and red blood cells, have been described in birds. Here, we report a new Hepatozoon species, which was found in wild-caught secretary birds Sagittarius serpentarius, from Tanzania. Hepatozoon ellisgreineri n. sp. can be readily distinguished from all described species of avian Hepatozoon because its gamonts develop only in granulocytes, predominantly in heterophils, a unique characteristic among bird parasites of this genus. Additionally, this is the first reported avian apicomplexan blood parasite, which inhabits and matures in granulocytes. We describe H. ellisgreineri based on morphological characteristics of blood stages and their host cells. This finding broadens knowledge about host cells of avian Hepatozoon spp. and other avian apicomplexan blood parasites, contributing to the better understanding of the diversity of haematozoa. This is the first report of hepatozoonosis in endangered African birds of the Sagittariidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blastocystis spp. are common human enteric parasites with complex morphology and have been reported to cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Deconvolutional microscopy with time-lapse imaging and fluorescent spectroscopy of xenic cultures of Blastocystis spp. from stool samples of IBS patients and from asymptomatic, healthy pigs allowed observations of living organisms in their natural microbial environment. Blastocystis organisms of the vacuolated, granular, amoebic and cystic forms were observed to autofluorescence in the 557/576 emission spectra. Autofluorescence could be distinguished from fluorescein-conjugated Blastocystis-specific antibody labelling in vacuolated and granular forms. This antibody labelled Blastocystis subtypes 1, 3 and 4 but not 5. Surface pores of 1 μm in diameter were observed cyclically opening and closing over 24 h. Vacuolated forms extruded a viscous material from a single surface point with coincident deflation that may demonstrate osmoregulation. Tear-shaped granules were observed exiting from the surface of an amoebic form, but their origin and identity remain unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classification of Demodex mites has long depended on hosts and morphological characteristics. However, the fact that two species coexist in the same host and phenotype is easily influenced by environment causes difficulty and indeterminacy in traditional classification. Genotype, which directly reflects the molecular structure characteristics, is relatively stable. In this study, species identification of four phenotypes of human Demodex mites was conducted. Mites were morphologically classified into four phenotypes: long- and short-bodied Demodex folliculorum with finger-like terminus and Demodex brevis with finger- or cone-like terminus. The mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) fragment of individual mite was amplified, cloned, sequenced, and aligned. Sequence divergences, genetic distances, transition/transversion rates, and phylogenetic trees were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the 16S rDNA sequence of three phenotypes with finger-like terminus was 337 bp, and that of phenotype with cone-like terminus was 342 bp. The divergences, genetic distances, and transition/transversion rates among the three phenotypes with finger-like terminus were 0.0-2.7 %, 0.000-0.029, and 5.0-7/0 (5/1-7/0), respectively, indicating an intraspecific variation. Yet, those between these three phenotypes and the one with cone-like terminus were 21.6-22.8 %, 2.510-2.589, and 0.47-0.59 (22/47-27/46), respectively, suggesting an interspecific variation. The five phylogenetic trees showed that the three phenotypes with finger-like terminus clustered into one branch, while the phenotype with cone-like terminus clustered into another. In conclusion, terminus is a major morphological characteristic for the identification of human Demodex species. The three phenotypes with finger-like terminus belong to D. folliculorum, while the phenotype with cone-like terminus belongs to D. brevis. Molecular identification can verify and replenish morphological identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of nematode parasites to survive in a highly complex immune system involves diverse strategies including production of a variety of host immune modulators. Various parasite-associated surface antigens or excretory and secretory products may possibly play a role in the host-parasite interactions and successful survival of parasite in their respective host. One among these molecules is a human cytokine homolog, macrophage migration inhibitory factor-1 (MIF-1) in various parasites. We identified a homolog of this cytokine from human lymphatic filarial parasite, Wuchereria bancrofti, expression cloned and investigated its molecular characteristics and catalytic properties. We also assessed the humoral reactivity of the recombinant MIF-1 of W. bancrofti (rWb-MIF-1) against sera belonging to different categories of individuals viz. microfilaremic, chronic patients, endemic normal, and non-endemic normal. Our results showed that the complete coding sequence of W. bancrofti is 1,078 bp, comprising two introns and three exons: first and second introns being 577 and 153 bp long, while the three exons I, II, and III being 108, 173, and 67 bp long, respectively. The rWb-MIF-1 was overexpressed in a salt-inducible host, Escherichia coli GJ 1158, and its functional activity was determined by dopachrome tautomerase and insulin reduction assays. The results of both the assays showed that the purified protein is functionally active and hence folded appropriately. The rWb-MIF-1 protein did not show elevation of specific IgG4 antibodies in microfilaremic cases, a hallmark in case of lymphatic filariasis, while it showed IgE reactivity in some of these cases (five out of ten). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hymenolepis nana is the most common cestode parasitizing humans, yet it is under-diagnosed. We determined the optimal flotation solution (FS) for the diagnosis of this intestinal parasite with the FLOTAC method, and compared its diagnostic accuracy with an ether-concentration technique and the Kato-Katz method. Zinc sulphate (specific gravity 1.20) proved to be the best-performing FS. Using this FS, we detected 65 H. nana infections among 234 fixed fecal samples from Tajik and Sahrawi children (prevalence 27.8 %). The ether-concentration technique detected 40 infections (prevalence 17.1 %) in the same samples. Considering the combined results as a reference, the sensitivities of FLOTAC and ether-concentration were 95.6 % and 58.8 %, respectively. The Kato-Katz method resulted in a prevalence of only 8.7 %. In terms of eggs per gram of stool, a significantly ( P <0.05) higher value was obtained with the FLOTAC and Kato-Katz techniques compared to ether-concentration. In another study carried out in China, the FLOTAC method detected six Hymenolepis diminuta infections in 302 fecal samples, whereas five samples were found positive with the Kato-Katz technique. We conclude that FLOTAC is an accurate coprodiagnostic technique for H. nana and H. diminuta, two species which join a growing list of intestinal parasites that can be reliably diagnosed by this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccidiosis is probably the main parasitic disease affecting goat kids around the weaning period, leading to high economic losses in goat production due to deaths and delayed growth rates of infected animals. A total of 101 kids of 2-4 weeks of age, naturally infected with Eimeria spp., were divided into five groups and studies were conducted to analyse the effects of metaphylactic administration of diclazuril (Vecoxan®) on parasitological and productive parameters. Two different doses of diclazuril (1 and 2 mg/kg BW, p.o.) were given either at 3 weeks (single treatment) or at 3 and 5 weeks of life (double treatment). The faecal oocyst shedding and the body weights of the animals were monitored at 2-weeks intervals for 6 consecutive weeks. Treatments of goat kids with diclazuril were effective against the three most predominant Eimeria species recorded in this study ( E. arloingi, E. ninakohlyakimovae and E. christenseni) and also against other minor species found in faecal examinations, including E. alijevi, E. caprina, E. jolchijevi, E. caprovina, E. hirci and E. aspheronica). In consequence, OPG values lower than 1 × 10 were detected in 90 to 100% of the animals up to 15-20 days post-treatment depending on the treatment regimen. Even a single dose of 1 mg/kg BW p.o. resulted in an increase of growth rates in treated animals and therefore should be considered as a control strategy in farms precluding coccidian infections, whilst double and multiple dose treatments could be the recommendation for environments heavily contaminated with Eimeria oocysts. In relation to the OPG reduction and increased growth rates, the severity of the clinical signs (i.e., diarrhoea) was ameliorated in treated animals during the course of infection compared to that of non-treated or control kids. The precise timing of treatment appears crucial in order to prevent severe clinical coccidiosis and thereby enabling the adequate development of protective immune response against Eimeria challenge infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal parasitic diseases such as enterobiasis, giardiasis, and ascariasis are detected most frequently in Romania, but their importance is definitely surpassed by trichinellosis, cystic echinococcosis, and toxoplasmosis. Malaria was common until its eradication in 1963, and only imported cases are reported nowadays. The aim of this review was to bring together essential data on the epidemiology and history of human parasitoses in Romania. Information on 43 parasitic diseases was collected from numerous sources, most of them unavailable abroad or inaccessible to the international scientific community. Over time, Romanian people of all ages have paid a significant tribute to the pathogenic influences exerted by the parasites. Sanitary and socio-economical consequences of the parasites diseases have great negative impact on the quality of life of affected individuals and the overall well-being of the population. Implementation of efficient public health measures and informative campaigns for the masses as well as changing the inadequate habits that are deeply rooted in the population are mandatory for cutting successfully this Gordian knot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed and validated for the detection of Paragonimus westermani adults, metacercariae, and eggs in human and animal samples. The LAMP amplification can be finished in 45 min under isothermal condition at 60°C by employing a set of four species-specific primer mixtures and the results can be checked by naked-eye visualization. No amplification products were detected with deoxyribunucleic acid (DNA) of related trematode species including Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, Schistosoma mansoni, and Schistosoma japonicum. The method was further validated by examining P. westermani DNA in intermediate hosts including freshwater crabs and crayfish, as well as in sputum and pleural fluid samples from patients of paragonimiasis. These results indicated that the LAMP assay was highly specific, sensitive, and rapid, and it was approximately 100 times more sensitive than conventional specific PCR. The LAMP assay established in this study provides a rapid and sensitive tool for the detection of P. westermani DNA in freshwater crabs, crayfish, sputum, and pleural fluid samples, which has important implications for effective control of human paragonimiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasmosis, a protozoan disease caused by the coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases of humans. Although most infections are subclinical and asymptomatic, it has a great importance with respect to immunocompromized hosts and congenitally infected newborns. The diagnosis of T. gondii infection has gained in great interest over the past decades with a wide variety of techniques being investigated from animal inoculation to advanced molecular techniques. This paper reviews and highlights the development and evaluation of polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis in human population to present the redundant research on it in a chronologically simple approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ngiostrongylus vasorum which is commonly known as ‘French heartworm’ is a snail-born parasitic disease affecting the members of the Canidae family. This parasite has a cosmopolitan distribution covering tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. However, its distribution is characterised by isolated endemic foci, with only sporadic occurrences outside this areas. During the last two decades, several sporadic occurrences in old and new endemic areas have been documented by the researchers. However, the spread of infection and dynamic consequences of this parasite in final host has not been clarified yet. Therefore, this review will focus on the morphology, biology, clinical significant as well as management of this parasitic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Triclabendazole is the current drug of choice against Fasciola spp. infections in livestock, but resistance has become a major problem. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of artemether, a derivative of artemisinin, in sheep with a low natural Fasciola hepatica infection. Artemether was administered orally or intramuscularly; sheep were monitored for 8 h posttreatment and then once daily for adverse events, and drug efficacy was estimated by fecal egg count reductions and worm burden reductions. Single 40- and 80-mg/kg oral doses of artemether showed no effect on F. hepatica egg and worm burden. Treatment with a single 160-mg/kg intramuscular dose of artemether significantly reduced the egg burden (64.9%) and worm burden (91.3%). At half this dose, a worm burden reduction of 65.3% was obtained, which was still statistically significant (P Fasciola spp. infections in different ruminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  The objectives of this work were to study (1) the population dynamics of Chaetogaster limnaei in the field populations of freshwater snails and the implications for the species as a potential regulator of the trematode larvae community and (2) prevalence and intensity of C. limnaei in relation to host species, host size, and season. This study was conducted at Al-Salam Canal and Al-Abtal village (new cultivated area in north Sinai). The samples were collected from March 2004 to February 2005. The natural infection rate by trematodes and C. limnaei was assessed monthly. Thirteen species of snails were examined for C. limnaei infection, five species were found infected. There were positive correlations between host size and both combined prevalence and mean intensity in all hosts. The data demonstrated that prevalence in Bulinus truncatus was higher when compared with other hosts. Bellamya unicolor has higher mean intensity when compared with other host species. A significant difference was found between host species and both prevalence and intensity. There were spatial and temporal variations in prevalence and mean intensity in most hosts, and the data suggest some seasonality. A negative correlation was found between prevalence of C. limnaei and trematode infection. C. limnaei did not co-occur with trematode larvae in infected hosts indicating that the oligochaete may protect the hosts from trematode infection. B. unicolor was recorded for the first time as a host for C. limnaei. C. limnaei may be a potential regulator of the trematode community in freshwater snails. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that C. limnaei, symbiotically associated with snail vector of parasitic diseases, may have important implications with respect to biological control and/or changes in the epizootiology of native parasites in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract??The Hamilton and Zuk hypothesis on haemoparasite-mediated sexual selection and certain studies of fitness are based on the assumption that blood parasite infections are detrimental to their hosts. However, there are few reports that have demonstrated harmful effects of endemic blood parasites on fitness in wild populations, and it has even been suggested that they may be non-pathogenic. In this paper, we show that individuals of the Australian sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) have smaller home ranges when they are infected with the haemogregarine blood parasiteHemolivia mariaethan when no infection can be detected. An apparently contradictory result was that lizards with larger home ranges were more susceptible to infection under experimental exposure toHemolivia. We propose that lizards sacrifice defence against pathogens by increased activity, perhaps associated with maintaining home ranges and mating opportunities. As a consequence, they gain higher parasite loads, which in turn inhibit their activity. In this case, the parasite?host interaction may act as a buffer of lizard activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored patterns of infection of three apicomplexan blood parasites with different transmission mechanisms in 46 social groups across seven populations of the Australian lizard, Egernia stokesii. There was higher aggregation of infections within social groups for Hemolivia, transmitted by ticks, and Schellackia, either tick-transmitted or directly transmitted from mother to offspring, than for Plasmodium, with more mobile dipteran vectors. Prevalence was not related to group size, proximity to other groups or spatial overlap with adjacent groups for any of the parasites. However, for Hemolivia, groups with higher levels of relatedness among adults had higher parasite prevalence. Living in social groups leads to higher risk of infection for parasites with low transmission mobility. An unanswered question is why so few lizard species tolerate these risks to form stable social aggregations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]