In three successive years trials were made of measures for the control of parasitic gastro-enteritis in calves, based on the knowledge that the second generation of the worms is the cause of disease and that it becomes available on the herbage in July. A comparison was made between calves which remained on the same pasture throughout the season, calves which were moved in the middle of July to pasture which had not been contaminated since the previous autumn and calves which were given a dose of anthelmintic when moved to such clean pasture. A fourth group consisted of calves which received anthelmintic treatment every week while remaining on infected ground.

The root-knot nematode species Meloidogyne daklakensis n. sp. was discovered on the roots of Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora Pierre ex A. Froehner) in Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. This species is characterized by the females having rounded or oval perineal patterns, smooth, regular, continuous striae, and reduced lateral lines. The dorsal arch is low, rounded and encloses a quite distinct vulva and tail tip. The stylet is normally straight with well-developed and posteriorly sloped knobs. The males have a rounded cap that extends posteriorly into the lip region. The procorpus is outlined distinctly, and is three times longer than the metacorpus. The metacorpus is ovoid, with a strong valve apparatus. The species closely resembles M. marylandi, M. naasi, M. ovalis, M. panyuensis, M. lopezi, M. mali and M. baetica in the perineal pattern of the females, and the morphology of the males and the second-stage juveniles. Nonetheless, it can be differentiated from other species by a combination of morphometric, morphological and molecular characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 28S rDNA as well as the region between the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and cytochrome c oxidase II (COII) mitochondrial genes. Herein, this nematode is described, illustrated, and designated as a new species, Meloidogyne daklakensis sp. n., based on morphometric, morphological and molecular analyses.

Most studies of helminth communities in the European eel Anguilla anguilla have been undertaken in the British Isles, and there are very few analyses of community composition and structure from continental Europe. To fill this gap and test the hypothesis that helminth communities in freshwater eels in the British Isles are not typical of those of continental Europe, helminth communities of eels in the River Tiber below Rome were analysed by season using data collected in 1980 and new data from 1996. The intestinal helminth communities in the Tiber eels were species poor and characterized by low diversity. Most eels harboured one or no parasite species and communities were heavily dominated by the acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus clavula. Intestinal helminth infra-community richness and diversity did not differ between seasons within a year or between the same seasons in 1980 and 1996, although some changes in composition were apparent. Intestinal infracommunities from Tiber eels were very similar in characteristics to those analysed from the British Isles, and their temporal changes also showed close similarities to those reported from rivers in the UK. It seems likely therefore that conclusions derived from British studies can be applied to helminth communities of eels on the continent.

The prevalence of helminth species in stray dogs, from the capital city of the state of Queretaro, was evaluated. A total of 378 dogs were captured and examined for the presence of helminths from January to December 2008. The results showed that 275 (72.8%) of examined dogs were infected with one or more helminth species. Single infections were observed in 139 (50.5%) of infected dogs and 136 (49.5%) harboured mixed infections. Out of the 378 dogs examined, 208 (55.2%) presented nematodes and 182 (48.1%) cestodes. The prevalences (confidence interval) and mean intensities of infection ( ± SD) of nematodes and cestodes encountered were: Ancylostoma caninum 42.9% (37.9–47.8) and 22.1 ( ± 34.3); Toxocara canis 15.1% (11.8–19.0) and 8.3 ( ± 15.0); Spirocerca lupi 4.5% (2.7–7.1) and 3.9 ( ± 4.8); Toxascaris leonina 2.3% (1.1–4.5) and 4.8 ( ± 3.5); Physaloptera praeputialis 1.9% (0.8–3.8) and 9.7 ( ± 14.9); Dirofilaria immitis 1.3% (0.4–3.1) and 5.6 ( ± 2.1); Oslerus osleri 0.3% (0.0–1.6) and 5 ( ± 0.0); Dipylidium caninum 44.9% (40.0–50.0) and 18.1 ( ± 27.7); Taenia spp. 6.9% (4.7–9.9) and 6.9 ( ± 7.1). There were no significant differences in prevalences observed either between female (68.5%) and male (76.8%) or between young (70.6%) and adult (74.2%) animals. No differences were observed in the ANOVA test for the mean intensity of infection of any of the parasites (P>0.05).

A total of 488 stray cats, 212 adult and 29 juvenile females plus 235 adult and 12 juvenile males, were examined post-mortem during the winter and summer months of 2006 from five sites in the vicinity of Doha and its outskirts. Five helminths, comprising three nematode and two cestode species were identified and the majority of cats harboured two of these species. The most prevalent was the cestode Taenia taeniaeformis (75.8%), followed by the cestode Diplopylidium sp. (42.8%), and the nematodes Ancylostoma tubaeforme (17.0%), Physaloptera sp. (6.6%) and Toxocara cati (0.8%). All five species were found to be typically overdispersed in their distribution. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, the prevalence and abundance of infections were primarily influenced by host gender and season, with females tending to harbour higher levels of infection during the summer. No significant differences were found relative to site except in the case of Physaloptera sp. Using bivariate Pearson product moment correlations, significant positive co-occurrences were identified between Diplopylidium sp. and T. taeniaeformis and also between A. tubaeforme and T. taeniaeformis. The results are discussed in relation to the effect of environmental conditions on the intestinal helminth infracommunities and their possible interactions in stray cat populations from such a harsh and arid region as Qatar.

Malacological samplings were made from January 1994 to December 1996 in the Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain) to trace the dynamics of molluscan populations and the prevalence and intensity of infection by larval trematodes. A total of 10,533 freshwater gastropods belonging to seven species (Lymnaea auricularia, L. truncatula, L. palustris, L. peregra, Bithynia tentaculata, Physa acuta and Gyraulus chinensis) was examined, and 110 (1.04%) were found to harbour some of the nine distinguishable types of cercariae, namely four echinostome cercariae (Hypoderaeum conoideum, Echinoparyphium recurvatum, Euparyphium albuferensis, and Echinostoma sp.), four furcocercous cercariae, and one xiphidiocercous cercaria. This study shows that the composition of the snail and trematode communities may be determined by the particular environmental conditions present and the human intervention in the area.

A survey was carried out of the levels of infection with Aspiculuris tetraptera and Syphacia obvelata in a wild house mouse population living in the Charles Clore Small Mammals Pavilion at the London Zoo in Regent's Park. The extent of infection with A. tetraptera is analysed according to the sex of the host. It is shown that the prevalence of infection was greater in male than in female mice and frequency distribution studies suggest that this is not only because fewer female mice become infected but also because females resist larvae more effectively than do males.

The genus Multicaecum Baylis 1923, sensu Hartwich 1957, was found to be heterogeneous, comprising species which are relegated to two distinct genera, namely Multicaecum Baylis, 1923 and Brevimulticaecum. The latter name is derived from the subgenus Brevimulticaecum Mozgovoy, in Skrjabin, Shikhobalova, and Mozgovoy, 1951 by raising it to generic rank and emending the definition. Multicaecum contains a single species, agile Wedl, 1861 occurring in Crocodylus spp. in Africa, India and Australia, and is characterized by smooth rounded lips, each with a dentigerous ridge comprising small sharp denticles. The excretory pore is level with the nerve ring or behind it, and the ventricular appendices are long and slender. The species gangeticum Maplestone 1930 and quadrata Linstow 1904 are excluded from Multicaecum and regarded as species inquirendae incertae sedis. Brevimulticaecum contains five species occurring in the caimans and the alligator of the New World: baylisi Travassos, 1933 (type species; acuticauda Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 1937 is placed in synonomy under baylisi); stekhoveni Baylis, 1947; tenuicolle Rudolphi, 1819; and two new species. Brevimulticaecum spp. are characterized by flat lips with alate margins and notches, without dentigerous ridges, excretory pore in front of or at nerve ring and the ventriculus with short appendices. The significance of this proposal is discussed in relation to the other genera of ascaridoid nematodes in crocodilians.

The factors that determine parasite assemblages among the clariid fishes of Lake Victoria, Tanzania were studied between August 2003 and February 2005. Six hundred and fifty-six fish belonging to seven species were necropsied and examined for parasites, from which 31 species of metazoan parasites were recorded. The community was dominated by the nematodes both in species and numbers. Most species were generalists with only two trematodes, Diplostomum mashonense and Tylodelphys species, being specialists of Clarias gariepinus. Ten species were considered core and predictable. Parasite species richness, number of individuals per host and Shannon–Wiener diversity indices were generally high. At the compound community level, a mean number of 7.8 parasites were shared among different species of fish and the maximum number of parasites species per fish at the infracommunity level was seven. Levels of similarity in parasite species richness at the component community level ranged from 29.6 to 61.5%. The study concludes that parasite communities in clariid fishes of Lake Victoria are structured by ecological factors. At the infracommunity level, host size, diet and vagility promoted a richer parasite community. At the compound level, two factors were crucial, namely the intermixing of the waters in the lake and the predominant and mobile C. gariepinus.

An investigation was conducted into the parasitic infection of an indigenous cichlid, Oreochromis mossambicus, collected seasonally from the Nwanedi-Luphephe dams of the Limpopo River System from July 2007 to April 2009. Of 157 host specimens examined, 115 (73.25%) were infected by at least one gill parasite. In all, 1565 monogenean specimens were collected, belonging to five different species and two genera: Cichlidogyrus (C. halli, C. sclerosus, C. tilapiae and C. dossoui) and Scutogyrus (S. longicornis). Infracommunities were poor, with only 27 (17.20%) hosts harbouring four of the five species observed. Cichlidogyrus halli was the dominant species, with a prevalence of 73.25%. Prevalence values for each of the other four species were less than 50%. The mean intensities for each of the five species were low ( < 8 parasites/host). The parasite abundance and intensity levels were not influenced by either the sex or the size of the host. The abundance of all parasite species except for S. longicornis exhibited seasonal fluctuations, reaching peaks in winter and summer. The spatial distribution of each parasite was studied on different regions of the gill, and positive associations among some species were revealed.

Three hundred and twenty seven European lynx (Lynx lynx) were examined forTrichinella sp. larvae using the muscle digestion method. The animals were of both sexes, various ages, and collected between 1989 and 1994 in different locations in Finland. Forty percent of them (132) were found to be infected. Infection was overdispersed, so that the majority of infected lynx only harboured small amounts of larvae, while a minority had higher densities of infection, but never significantly exceeding 40 larvae per gram of muscle (lpg). The median density of infection was 1.04 lpg. To find factors statistically associated with the risk of infection, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Male sex, increasing age, and the density of raccoon dog population in the area were all significantly associated with infection. However, the association with age was not linear and prevalence did not increase after middle age. The mean density of infection decreased slightly with age. The association with the density of the raccoon dog population leads to a tentative hypothesis that the raccoon dog might be an important reservoir of sylvatic trichinellosis in Finland.

1. Laboratory studies showed two types of cages to be suitable for exposing uninfected B. glabrata in field habitats as a means of locating S. mansoni miracidial infestations.

2. Tests conducted in tanks under simulated field conditions showed that miracidia moved away from the point of inoculation in non-random fashion and congregated at the margins of the tanks.

3. In a natural habitat, miracidia located and infected caged snails at distances of 33 cm vertically and 106·7 cm horizontally.

4. The pattern of infection was similar in the simulated field and field experiments, but field infection rates were lower.

5. For transmission studies in field habitats, caged laboratorybred snails should be placed at the margin of the habitat to ensure the maximum snail-miracidium interaction.

Morphological and molecular analyses of a stem nematode causing a severe disease on infected sowthistle (Sonchus bulbosus) plants, involving the formation of gall-like structures on infected leaves and stems, have led to the description of a new species named Ditylenchus oncogenus n. sp. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by a medium to large body size (all adults more than 1 mm in length); a delicate stylet (9.0–11.0 μm long) with minute, rounded knobs; a long post-vulval uterine sac (c. 65% of the vulva–anus distance); six incisures at the lateral fields and characteristic D. destructor-pattern of spicules (with pronounced ventral tumulus and anteriorly pointed, less sclerotized, cuticle parts present within the lamina). The results of molecular analysis of rRNA gene sequences, including the D2–D3 expansion regions of 28S rRNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA, partial 18S rRNA gene, the protein-coding mitochondrial gene, cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI), and the heat-shock protein 90 (hsp90) gene, support the new species status. The results of a host-suitability test indicated that the new species does not parasitize potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers and broad bean (Vicia faba) seedlings. Histopathological observations on naturally infected sowthistle tissues revealed that D. oncogenus n. sp. causes floral stem neoplasia and midrib leaf gall formation on the type, and to date only known, host. The galls were characterized by extensive hyperplasia, where several necrotic cells in the neoplasic area were directly damaged by feeding of the nematode, whereas a number of adjacent cells showed typical cytological changes, such as granulated cytoplasm with hypertrophied nuclei and nucleoli.

Water decoction of the leaves of Andrographis paniculata killed in vitro the microfilaria of Dipetalonema reconditum in 40 min. Three subcutaneous injections of the extract into infected dogs at 0·06 ml per kg bodyweight reduced the number of microfilariae in blood by more than 85%. The larvae were not totally eliminated with more infections but the reduced microfilarial level persisted. No toxiceffect of the extract was observed in rabbits. The treated dogs became lethargic initially for a week, probably due to the mass killing of microfilariae.

Kazakhstan is highly endemic for echinococcosis. Both Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis are widely distributed in the country. Official records of human cystic echinococcosis over the past 5–10 years suggest a stable incidence of approximately 800–1000 cases per year, which is 5 cases per 100,000 per year. This followed a rapid increase in the incidence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Between 2007 and 2013, 5949 cases were reported in the national surveillance data. The prevalence in sheep, based on slaughterhouse studies, suggests that between 30 and 50% of sheep are infected with hydatid cysts, while cattle have a prevalence of approximately 7%. Rural dogs have a high prevalence of infection of between 5 and 10%, with shepherd dogs having prevalences of over 20%. G1 and G6/7 strains of E. granulosus have been isolated from dogs in Kazakhstan. Wolves are also infected, with one prevalence estimate of approximately 20%. The incidence of human alveolar echinococcosis is less clear, although estimates from Kazakhstani expatriates living in Germany and the hospital records of a single referral centre in Almaty suggest 34 or 130 cases per year (or an annual incidence of 0.20 or 0.76 cases per 100,000), respectively, could be occurring in Kazakhstan. Studies suggest that in some rural dog populations the prevalence may be about 5%. The parasite is widely distributed in foxes and small mammals through much of Kazakhstan.

Frequent reports of haematuria among resettlers at Ibaro and Abule-titun located close to a newly constructed reservoir. 20 km north-west of Abeokuta. Ogun State, Nigeria. prompted a pre-control survey to assess age and sex distribution of urinary schistosomiasis in the communities. 210 persons were examined at Ibaro and 145 at Abule-titun between April 1988 and February 1989. Overall prevalence was about 80% in both villages, and all age and sex groups examined were affected. The pattern of infection in both villages was similar, prevalence being high in all age and sex groups and, unlike most endemic communities, the rate of infection was not significantly higher among the 5–14 year age groups. Intensity of infection was also high in all age and sex groups with mean range egg output of between 73±73 and 2016±3875 ova/10ml urine at Ibaro and between 231±122 and 1340±1786 ova/10ml urine at Abule-titun. This is attributed to an occupation-related high rate of human water contact in both villages.

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by adult or larval (metacestode) stages of cestodes belonging to the genus Echinococcus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antigenic ability of hydatid cyst fluid antigen for the diagnosis of hydatidosis in cattle using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect haemagglutination test (IHA). The source of the antigens for the serological tests was fertile crude cyst fluids collected from naturally infected sheep at the Addis Ababa abattoir. A total of 502 sera were collected from 329 uninfected cattle and 173 hydatid-infected cattle which were confirmed by post-mortem examination. Most cysts were sterile and multiple organ infection predominated. Of 173 infected cattle, 166 (96.0%; confidence interval (CI) 91.8–98.4) were positive using ELISA while 7 (4.0%) were negative. Of 329 sera from uninfected cattle, 274 (83.3%; CI 78.8–87.2) were found to be negative and the remaining 55 (16.7%) were positive by ELISA. Of 173 infected cattle, 151 (87.3%; CI 81.4–91.9) were positive and 22 (12.7%) were negative by IHA. Of 329 negative sera tested using IHA, 266 (80.9%; CI 76.2–85.0) were negative and the remaining 63 (19.1%) were positive. The false positive and negative values of ELISA were 4.0 and 16.7%, respectively, and the corresponding values of IHA were 12.7 and 19.1%. The sensitivity and diagnostic efficiency of IHA were 87.2 and 83.6%, respectively. Crude hydatid cyst fluid antigen seems to have reasonable antigenic properties and hence could be employed for epidemiological surveillance of cattle hydatidosis.

Canine hookworm infections are endemic worldwide, with zoonotic transmission representing a potentially significant public health concern. This study aimed to investigate hookworm infection and identify the prevalent species from stray and shelter dogs in Guangzhou city, southern China by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. From March 2011 to July 2012, fresh faecal samples from a total of 254 dogs were obtained from five locations, namely Conghua, Baiyun, Liwan, Haizhu and Panyu, in Guangzhou. These samples were screened for the presence of hookworm eggs using light microscopy, with an overall prevalence of 29.53% being recorded. The highest prevalence of 45.28% was found in suburban dogs from Conghua compared with lower values recorded in urban dogs in Haizhu (21.43%), Baiyun (18.97%), Panyu (18.18%) and Liwan (15%). The prevalence in stray dogs was significantly higher than that in shelter dogs. PCR-RFLP analysis showed that 57.33% were detected as single hookworm infections with Ancyclostoma caninum, and 22.67% as A. ceylanicum, while 20% were mixed infections. This suggests that high prevalences of both hookworm species in stray and shelter dogs in China pose a potential risk of transmission from pet dogs to humans.

Entomopathogenic nematodes have become a valuable addition to the range of biological control agents available for insect control. An endemic nematode, Steinernemayirgalemense, has been found to be effective against a wide range of key insect pests. The next step would be the mass production this nematode for commercial application. This requires the establishment of monoxenic cultures of both the nematode and the symbiotic bacterium Xenorhabdus indica. First-stage juveniles of S. yirgalemense were obtained from eggs, while X. indica was isolated from nematode-infected wax moth larvae. The population density of the various life stages of S. yirgalemense during the developmental phase in liquid culture was determined. The recovery of infective juveniles (IJs) to the third-stage feeding juveniles, was 67 ± 10%, reaching a maximum population density of 75,000 IJs ml− 1 on day 13 after inoculation. Adult density increased after 8 days, with the maximum female density being 4600 ml− 1 on day 15, whereas the maximum male density was 4300 ml− 1 on day 12. Growth curves for X. indica showed that the exponential phase was reached 15 h after inoculation to the liquid medium. The stationary phase was reached after 42 h, with an average of 51 × 107 colony-forming units ml− 1. Virulence tests showed a significant difference in insect mortality between in vitro- and in vivo-produced nematodes. The success obtained with the production of S. yirgalemense in liquid culture can serve as the first step in the optimizing and upscaling of the commercial production of nematodes in fermenters.

(1)Paramphistomum phillerouxi sp.nov. from rumina of cattle in Northern Rhodesia is described and its morphology compared with that of Paramphistomum microbothrium Fischoeder from Egypt, Kenya, Northern Rhodesia, and South Africa.

(2)Bulinus forskalii (Ehrenberg) is a natural intermediate host of P. phillerouxi in Northern Rhodesia and Tanganyika. Of other snails, Bulinus senegalensis (Muller) from Gambia was successfully infected experimentally, and Bulinus cernicus (Morelet) in Mauritius was found naturally infected with P. phillerouxi.

(3) The development of P. phillerouxi in Bitlinus forskalii is described. The sporocyst gives birth to 18 to 28 rediae. These firstgeneration rediae are able to produce daughter rediae as well as cercariae. It seemed that not all of the first-generation rediae started to produce daughter rediae first. Some of the rediae began by producing cercariae and produced a few daughter rediae later alongside numerous cercariae. There is some evidence that the subsequent generations of rediae are also capable of developing daughter rediae and cercariae simultaneously.

(4) The first young cercariae to leave the parent rediae were observed 21 days after exposure of the snails to a single miracidium each, and the first shedding of mature cercariae was noted 42 days after the exposure, the snails being kept at 20°C.