Achillea millifolium Linn., commonly called ‘Pehl-ghasa’, is used by farmers in traditional animal health care as a vermifuge. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of crude aqueous extracts and crude ethanolic extracts of entire A. millifolium against the gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. The worm motility inhibition assay was used for in vitro studies and faecal egg count reduction assay was used for in vivo studies. In vitro studies revealed significant anthelmintic effects of aqueous extracts and ethanolic extracts on live Haemonchus contortus worms (P < 0.05) as evident from their paralysis and/or death at 8 h post exposure. Aqueous extracts of A. millifolium resulted in a mean worm motility inhibition of 94.44%, while ethanolic extracts resulted in mean worm motility inhibition of 88.88%. The mean mortality index of aqueous extracts was 0.95 while for ethanolic extracts it was 0.9. The lethal concentration 50 was 0.05 mg ml− 1 for aqueous extracts and 0.11 mg ml− 1 for ethanolic extracts. The in vivo anthelmintic activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. millifolium demonstrated a maximum (88.40%) nematode egg count reduction in sheep treated with aqueous extracts at 2 g kg− 1 body weight on day 15 after treatment. Ethanolic extracts resulted in a maximum of 76.53% reduction in faecal egg counts on day 15 after treatment with 2 g kg− 1 body weight. Thus, the aqueous extracts exhibited greater anthelmintic activity under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, and could be due to the presence of water-soluble active principle/s in A. millifolium. It is concluded that the entire plant of A. millifolium possesses significant anthelmintic activity and could be a potential alternative for treating cases of helminth infections in ruminants.

In this cross-sectional study, the associations between helminth infections and ABO blood group, anaemia and undernutrition were investigated in 480 febrile outpatients who visited Dore Bafeno Health Centre, southern Ethiopia, in December 2010. Stool specimens were processed using the Kato–Katz method and examined for intestinal helminth infections. Haemoglobin level was measured using a HemoCue machine and blood group was determined using an antisera haemagglutination test. Nutritional status of the study participants was assessed using height and weight measurements. Among the study participants, 50.2% were infected with intestinal helminths. Ascaris lumbricoides (32.7%), Trichuris trichiura (12.7%), Schistosoma mansoni (11.9%) and hookworm (11.0%) were the most frequently diagnosed helminths. The odds of infection and mean eggs per gram of different intestinal helminth species were comparable between the various blood groups. Among individuals who were infected with intestinal helminth(s), the mean haemoglobin level was significantly lower in individuals harbouring three or more helminth species and blood type AB compared to cases with double or single helminth infection and blood type O, respectively. The odds of being underweight was significantly higher in A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infected individuals of age ≤ 5 and ≥ 20 years, respectively, when compared to individuals of the matching age group without intestinal helminths. In conclusion, infection with multiple intestinal helminths was associated with lower haemoglobin level, which was more severe in individuals with blood type AB. Future studies should focus on mechanisms by which blood group AB exacerbates the helminth-related reduction in mean haemoglobin level.

The results obtained in a study of seroprevalence by means of ELISA and immunoblot with crude larval extracts of Anisakis simplex using 1008 human sera from Spanish people showing no clinical suspicion of anisakidosis are given. For the evaluation of the results obtained by ELISA the Diagnostic Index (DI) was used, as the ratio between the optical density resulting from the test serum and the optical density of the negative control. Forty-seven sera showed DIs between 1.5 and 2, and 14 sera were greater than 2. After comparison of the immunoblot analysis with the immunorecognition pattern of a human anisakidosis reference serum, a diagnostic criterion could be established for those sera that, at a 1/100 dilution, showed a DI by ELISA greater than 1.5. Seven of 14 selected sera with DIs in ELISA higher than 1.3 showed anti-Anisakis specific IgE antibodies by RAST fluoroimmunoassay.

Artificially prepared cow pats containing Ostertagia ostertagi eggs were deposited on two pasture plots in May, June and July 1986. Half of the cow pats, placed on one plot, were inoculated with 2000 conidia per gram faeces of the predacious fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora. On the other plot fungus-free control cow pats were placed at the same time. In the faeces generally fewer infective O. ostertagi larvae developed in the inoculated than in the control cow pats. On the herbage around the control cow pats deposited in May, June and July a maxium concentration of infective larvae was found at the same time on the 6th of August 1986. At that time the herbage larval infectivity around inoculated cow pats deposited in May, June and July was subject to a reduction of 48%, 89% and 46%, respectively, compared with fungus-free control cow pats. This experiment indicates that a concentration of 2000 A. oligospora conidia per gram faeces results in a significant lowering of the herbage larval infectivity during the grazing season in Denmark.

In the investigation of plant material infested with parasitic and related nematodes various methods are available. One often has recourse to the teasing apart of affected tissues in water with the liberation of the contained organisms or the latter may be obtained by soaking the material in a Baermann funnel. It is frequently desirable, however, to determine the actual presence and location of nematodes in the host tissues without recourse to teasing and for this purpose some appropriate method of staining is necessary such that the nematodes are suitably coloured whilst the tissues of the host are coloured but little or not at all and thus permit the passage of light after the usual processes of dehydration and clearing have been carried out.

Increasing urbanization along riverbanks is a constant source of stressors to the aquatic community, and the use of bioindicators is suitable to detect and monitor the effect of each stressor. We investigated the parasites of the ‘cará’ fish (Geophagus brasiliensis) as potential bioindicators in a river whose banks are subject to increasing anthropogenic pressure. Samples were taken at four points of the Sangradouro River, in Florianópolis, southern Brazil, bimonthly for 12 months. Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and salinity were measured at each point and water samples were taken for nutrient analysis (total nitrogen, nitrite, total ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus, phosphate), and total and faecal coliforms. A generalized linear model (GLM) was constructed using the abundance of each parasite species as the response variable and biometric characteristic of the fish and water variables as possible predictors. Among the 137 fish examined, 114 (83.2%) were parasitized by at least one parasite species. Two species of ectoparasites (Sciadicleithrum guanduensis and Neascus-type metacercariae) and two species of endoparasites (Pandosentis aff. iracundus and Homalometron pseudopallidum) were observed. This is the first record of the genus Pandosentis in Brazilian waters and the first record of the species G. brasiliensis as a host for this parasite. Among the analysed groups of parasites, monogeneans and acanthocephalans proved to be the most sensitive to the concentrations of dissolved oxygen, faecal coliforms and total ammonia nitrogen in the water. Our study suggests that the abundance of both monoxenic and heteroxenous parasites can be negatively affected by organic pollution in the aquatic environment, reinforcing the potential of fish parasites as indicators of water quality.

1. The protein nitrogen, carbohydrate and amino acid contents of the rat duodenum, jejunum, upper and lower ileum have been determined for up to 3 hr following the feeding of a glucose-containing test diet.

2. The changes in distribution of Hymenolepis diminuta within the intestine and the changes in worm total nitrogen and carbohydrate have been followed over the same period following the same diet.

3. The glucose and TCA-soluble carbohydrate contents of the uninfected gut were approximately double those of the parasitized animals.

Two groups of six Haemonchus contortus infected Saint Croix lambs each received different diets for 11 weeks: control group, commercial food, molasses and lucerne hay; and treated group, nutritional pellets (NPs) containing Duddingtonia flagrans at 2 × 106 chlamydospores/kg body weight (BW), sorghum and lucerne hay. Mean BW gain (BWG), body condition score (BCS) and packed cell volume (PCV) and also eggs/g of faeces (EPG) and recovered L3 were compared using a repeated measures across time model. Groups had similar BWG (control 139.7 ± 0.035 g/day and treated 167.7 ± 0.041 g/day), BCS (control 3.6 ± 0.39 and treated 3.4 ± 0.46) and PCV (control 32.5 ± 1.68% and treated 30.0 ± 1.68%). The mean EPG of the control group was 1215 ± 1040 and in the treated group it was 2097.91 ± 2050. No reduction in larval population was observed during weeks 2 and 3. The greatest larval population reduction in the faeces of treated lambs was observed during the first week (70.5%) and from weeks 6 to 11, with a mean value close to 70% (P < 0.05). In general, both experimental groups showed a similar feed conversion. It was concluded that both diets resulted in similar lamb growth, PCV, BCS and H. contortus EPG. However, NP consumption significantly reduced the H. contortus L3 population in lamb faeces.

Adults of Echinostoma caproni, F. paraensei, and E. trivolvis were processed for starchgel electrophoresis. Ten enzyme systems representing 12 structural loci were examined using three different buffer systems. E. paraensei and E. caproni were found to be genetically inbred as indicated by the lack of heterozygosity in individual worms. All three taxa showed fixed differences indicating they are distinct species. Fixed differences were found between E. paraensei and E. caproni in six enzyme systems, between E. paraensei and E. trivolvis in five enzyme systems, and betweenE. trivolvis and E. caproni in five enzyme systems. Phenic relationships among the three species showed E. caproni was genetically more similar to E. trivolvis than to E. paraensei.

Exposure of Biomphalaria alexandrina to sublethal concentrations (0·125, 0·25 and 0·05 ppm) of the organophosporous insecticide, chlorpyrifos (Dursban), induced a reduction in egg production and egg hatchability. Exposure of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia to the insecticide (60 min, 0·05 ppm) prior to infection of B. alexandrina did not affect the subsequent production of cercariae. However, exposure of S. mansoni—infected snails to the insecticide until day 55, from day 20 to day 62 and from day 35 to 62 following infection resulted in blockage of cercarial shedding. cercarial shedding commenced in some snails when the treatement stopped. Exposure to the insecticide in concentrations of 0·125 and 0·25 ppm during the first 20 days following infection did not affect the subsequent production of cercariae, but exposure to 0·5 ppm during the first 20 days affected markedly the production of cercariae due to a high snail mortality. The findings indicate that the cercaria is the target stage for the activity of chlorpyrifos on the intramolluscan larval development. It is suggested that S. mansoni cercarial production in B. alexandrina may he a useful system for monitoring the effect of low concentrations of pesticides on the aquatic environment, and that the ability by chemical means to interrupt the cercarial production might be a useful tool in further analyses of important aspects of the snail/parasite relationship.

The indicator value (Ind Val) method which combines measures of fidelity and specificity has been used in a study on wild boar parasites in Corsica during 2001–2003. Because of its resilience to changes in abundance, IndVal is a particularly effective tool for ecological bioindication. The Ind Val method showed how season can influence the occurrence of parasite species in the wild boar, and also identified parasites as bioindicators relative to host age. The randomization test identified five parasite species having a significant indicator value for the season (the ticks, Hyalomma aegyptium and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the louse, Haematopinus suis and the nematodes Globocephalus urosubulatus and Ascaris suum and two indicator species of an age class (the nematodes G. urosubulatus and Metastrongylus sp.). Data on species composition and infection levels would help improve the monitoring and management of parasitism in Suidae populations.

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) have experienced chronic declines within the Rolling Plains ecoregion of Texas. Parasitic infection, which has long been dismissed as a problem in quail, has not been studied thoroughly until recently. A total of 219 northern bobwhite and 101 scaled quail from Mitchell County, Texas were captured and donated from 2014 to 2015, and examined for eyeworm (Oxyspirura petrowi) and caecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) infections. In 2014, bobwhites averaged 19.6 ± 1.8 eyeworms and 98.6 ± 8.2 caecal worms, and 23.5 ± 2.1 eyeworms and 129.9 ± 10.7 caecal worms in 2015. Scaled quail averaged 4.8 ± 1.0 eyeworms and 50 ± 6.8 caecal worms in 2014, and 5.7 ± 1.3 eyeworms and 38.1 ± 7.1 caecal worms in 2015. This study expands the knowledge of parasitic infection in quail inhabiting the Rolling Plains of Texas. A significant difference was documented in O. petrowi infection between species but there was no significant difference in A. pennula between quail species. No significant difference was detected in parasite infection between the sexes of both northern bobwhite and scaled quail. This study also documented the highest reported O. petrowi infection in both species of quail. Additional research is needed on the life history and infection dynamics of O. petrowi and A. pennula infections to determine if there are individual- and/or population-level implications due to parasitic infection.

An in vitro system for chemotherapeutic research using adult male Onchocerca gutturosa has been developed as a model for O. volvulus. Using a culture system consisting of medium MEM+10% heat inactivated foetal calf serum (IFCS)+LLCMK2 (monkey kidney) feeder cells in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air, we examined the effects of a range of antiparasitic drugs on worm motility. Ivermectin, levamisole, furapyrimidone, Mel W, chloroquine, metrifonate, flubendazole, amoscanate and the Ciba-Geigy compounds CGP 6140, CGP 20′376 and CGI 17658 either immobilized or significantly reduced motility levels at a concentration of 5x10−5M or less within a 7-day period. Worms were affected at very low concentrations by ivermectin (effective conc. to reduce motility levels to 50% of controls, 3.14x10−8M), levamisole (7.95x10−8M), CGP 6140 (8.87x10−9M) and CGP 20′376 (2.78x10−8M). Difficulties were experienced in accurately repeating the immotile endpoint for levamisole due to an inconsistent partial recovery of motility. Over a 7-day period diethylcarbamazine had little effect on motility levels, while suramin caused a slight increase in activity compared to controls at some timepoints. Subsequent experiments demonstrated some differences in drug efficacy depending on the presence or absence of serum and feeder cells in the culture system probably because of drug avidly binding to serum proteins. However, serum and cells were found to be essential ingredients of the culture system to maintain worms in good condition, indicating that new drugs should be evaluated both in the presence and absence of serum and cells. Comparisons were made between the responses of O. gutturosa and Brugia pahangi to certain drugs and these species were found to significantly differ in their sensitivities to ivermectin and a novel compound (Wellcome), indicating that Onchocerca parasites should be used wherever possible for compound identification and development intended for the treatment of onchocerciasis. The in vitro system described here, using male O. gutturosa, provides a basis for further research and a practical alternative to O. volvulus.

The predatory capacity of nematophagous fungi Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001), Monacrosporium thaumasium (NF34a), M. appendiculatum (CGI), M. sinense (SF53), Arthrobotrys conoides (I-40), A. cladodes (CG719) and A. robusta (I-31) on infective Ancylostoma sp. larvae (L3) was evaluated. Compared with the control without fungi there was a significant reduction (P < 0.05) of 87.02%, 82.74%, 47.93%, 60.49%, 76.89%, 71.33% and 86.02% in the mean number of Ancylostoma sp. (L3) recovered from treatments with the isolates AC001, NF34a, CGI, SF53, I-40, CG719 and I-31, respectively. Isolates AC001, I-31 and NF34a were more effective in capturing L3 during the in vitro assay. Isolates were then in vivo evaluated for the capacity to remain viable after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of dogs, while still maintaining their predatory activity against L3. Fungal isolates survived the passage and showed efficient predation 48 h after fungal administration to the dogs (P < 0.05). After this time, only the isolate NF34a remained effective up to 96 h after administration (P < 0.05). Monacrosporium thaumasium, D. flagrans and A. robusta are potential biological control agents of Ancylostoma sp. in dogs.

The intestinal parasite Polymorphus minutus sometimes causes severe losses of domestic ducks, but more often birds on free range are unaffected although exposed to infection. The causes of this are examined and an attempt is made to explain it. The worm has no innate seasonal occurrence, but can survive for many months in the intermediate host, by which it can also be spread for long distances along streams. The veterinary implications of these findings are considered.

Of the three species of fish which live in Afon Terrig (Salmo trutta, Cottus gobio and Nemacheilus barbatula), only S. trutta was infected by Cyathocephalus truncatus. The parasite has a clear annual cycle and hence a periodicity of occurrence in the brown trout.

No age resistance of fish to infection by C. truncatus is found. The increase of incidence with age among l+—3+ year-old fish and decrease in the older age groups are correlated with the variation in the food and feeding habits of trout with age.

A case of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in a domestic cat is described from Saint Petersburg, Russia. Ultrasonography showed numerous cysts with hyperechoic walls and anechoic contents within the cat's abdominal cavity. Molecular identification based on mitochondrial DNA genes indicated that the causative agent was Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (G1 strain). This is the first report of CE in a cat caused by E. granulosus sensu stricto with molecular confirmation.

Parasitic castration of Buccinanops cochlidium from San José Gulf, Argentina, caused by a lepocreadiid digenean, is reported for the first time. Rediae and ophtalmotrichocercous cercariae probably belonging to Opechona sp. were identified in the gonad and digestive gland. Opechona sp. has been reported previously parasitizing B. monilifer from a northern locality in the Argentine Sea. Overall prevalence of infection was 15.5%; it varied seasonally, rising during the warm months after the host oviposition period. Cercariae were expelled at the same time as the hatching of snail embryos (during the higher water temperature period). Rediae affected male and female snails equally, but prevalence increases along with host size. The parasite causes the complete castration of the host. Parasitized adult snails showed a reduction of penis size in comparison with healthy males. It remains to be confirmed whether the peak of cercariae emission coincides with the presence of jellyfishes and scombrid or other fishes in the area, which could act as second intermediate and definitive hosts, respectively.

The ascaridoid nematodes with more than two uterine branches, which occur in snakes and lizards, are grouped into three genera: (1) Polydelphis (without interlabia, with four uterine branches) containing the type species, P. anoura, occuring in Old World Pythons, with P. brachycheilos as a species dubium. (2) Travassosascaris, a new genus with interlabia and with four uterine branches, with type species T. araujoi (new name for P. quadrangularis (Schneider) of Araujo, 1969) occuring in New World rattlesnakes. (3) Hexametra, (without interlabia, with six uterine branches) containing species in lizards and snakes. In lizards, H. hexametra (type species), H. applanata, H.angusticaecoides and H. rotundicaudata are tentatively differentiated. In snakes, two Hexametra species are tentatively differentiated: (1) H. boddaertii (with three synonyms) in New World pit vipers and colubrids; (2) H. quadricornis (with twenty-two synonyms) in Old World viperids, elapids and colubrids. The morphology, host range, geographical distribution, development and harmful effects of these species are discussed.

The effect of artesunate (ART) on the survival time of adult worm pairs of Schistosoma mansoni and on their egg output during in vitro culture was assessed. ART significantly decreased the survival time of both paired male and female worms at concentrations of 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg l− 1 during in vitro cultivation. An inhibitory effect of ART on the daily egg output of paired female worms during in vitro cultivation was also observed.