Tenascin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein known to be an essential factor for the modulation of reciprocal interactions between the epithelium and mesenchyme during embryogenesis and tumourigenesis. The interactions between the expression of tenascin in the liver of Syrian golden hamster and the development of bile duct cancer in an Opisthorchis viverrini-associated cholangiocarcinoma model were investigated. The tenascin was expressed in connective tissues surrounding the dilated ducts, ductal rims and the stroma of cancers, and strongly in the stroma flame of necrotic cancer nodules. The mRNA signal for tenascin was also recognized in the stroma cells. The potential roles of tenascin as prognostic tumour markers are discussed.

Recent confocal microscopy studies have greatly expanded our knowledge of muscle systems in cercariae and adult digeneans, but the gross anatomy and development of metacercarial musculature remain relatively little known. To further our understanding of metacercarial development, this study used phalloidin staining and confocal microscopy to examine changes in muscle architecture over the course of development from cercariae to infective metacercariae in Diplostomum pseudospathaceum Niewiadomska, 1984. The paper describes muscle development in the body wall, anterior organ (oral sucker), acetabulum, pharynx and midgut and in the musculo-glandular organs that first appear in metacercariae (lappets and holdfast). The muscle architecture of the cercarial tail is also described. The results of the study support previously reported observations that diplostomid musculature undergoes substantial transformation during metacercarial development. The most profound changes, involving extensive remodelling and replacement of cercarial muscles, were seen in the body-wall musculature and in the anterior organ as it developed into the oral sucker. Muscle systems of other cercarial organs showed more gradual changes. The adaptive importance of developmental changes in musculature is discussed.

A total of 299 fish belonging to ten teleost species were studied in Iranian waters at the north-eastern coast of the Persian Gulf for larval trypanorhynch cestode infection. The following trypanorhynch species were identified: Callitetrarhynchus gracilis Pintner, 1931, Pseudogilquinia thomasi (Palm, 2000), Pterobothrium lesteri Campbell and Beveridge, 1996 and Pseudolacistorhynchus shipleyi (Southwell, 1929). The most abundant parasite was C. gracilis which was isolated from seven teleost species. The highest prevalence (62.9%) and dominance (0.98) were demonstrated for P. thomasi with a maximum intensity of 22 in Indian halibut Psettodes erumei. Collections of P. lesteri and P. shipleyi from the Persian Gulf represent new locality records, thus extending the known range of distribution for both species. Four new host records are established. The recorded combination of trypanorhynch species and the established host range correspond to other regions, such as off the Brazilian coast. In terms of species distribution, the north-western part of the Indian Ocean, together with the Gulf of Bengal and the Indonesian archipelago, share the same species, resulting from connected water bodies. All trypanorhynch species were isolated from the body cavity, except for P. thomasi which was recorded from the musculature of P. erumei. Relatively high intensities of infection in P. erumei may be of public health concern in the region, necessitating the consumption of well-cooked fish products.

The anthelmintic effect of Prosopis laevigata (mezquite) n-hexanic extract was evaluated against Haemonchus contortus endoparasitic stages in artificially infected gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Prosopis laevigata leaves were collected from the Sierra de Huautla, Ecological Reserve of the Biosphere, in Morelos State, Mexico; dehydrated under shade and macerated with n-hexane for 3 days, followed by distillation for 8 h. This procedure was repeated three times and the final extract was kept at 4°C. The in vivo effect of the plant extract was evaluated in gerbils artificially infected with H. contortus. Plant extract concentration was 40 mg/ml. Three groups of gerbils were as follows: group 1 (n = 7), P. laevigata extract at 100 μl intraperitoneally (IP); group 2 (n = 6), control – Tween 20 in water at a single dose of 100 μ l IP; group 3 (n = 8) also served as a control, receiving water only, to determine the mortality due to causes other than the plant extract. An additional group of seven gerbils (group 4) was administered fenbendazole, as a positive control. Five days later the animals were euthanized and stomach and mucosa removed to quantify the nematodes. Data were analysed using the Student's t-test to compare the mean of nematodes obtained in groups 1, 2 and 3. The parasite population in the plant extract treated group 1 was reduced by 42.5% (P < 0.05) with respect to the control group 2; and when control group 3 was used for comparison the parasitic reduction was estimated as 53.11%. This study shows the in vivo anthelmintic effect of P. laevigatan-hexane extract for the first time, using gerbils as an in vivo model, with potential use in sheep.

Three species in the genus Terranova occurring in reptiles are redescribed and differentiated: (1) Terranova lanceolata (Molin 1860) new combination, [=Terranova braziliensis (Schuurmans-Stekhoven, 1937) Hartwich, 1957] from Melanosuchus niger in Brazil; (2) Terranova crocodili (Taylor 1924) from crocodiles in West Africa and Malaya and from Crocodylus porosus and C. johnstoni in Australia: (3) Terranova caballeroi Barus and Coy Otero, 1966 from colubrine snakes in Louisiana and Florida, U.S.A. and Cuba. The distribution and affinities of these species is discussed. Ascaris quadrata Linstow, 1904 is regarded as a species dubium incertae sedis.

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, the lungworm of the cat, has a world wide distribution and has been reported from countries as far apart as America, Great Britain and Palestine. It has a complex life cycle insofar as a molluscan intermediate host is essential and it is possible that auxiliary hosts also play an important part. In Britain, the incidence of active infestation of cats with the parasite has been recorded as 19·4% (Lewis, 1927) and 6·6% (Hamilton, 1966) but the latter author found that, generally, the clinical disease produced by the parasite was of a mild nature. It is known that the average patent period of the infestation in the cat is 8–13 weeks and it seems likely that, in that time, a considerable number of first stage larvae would be evacuated. Information on that point is not available and the object of the following experiment was to ascertain the number of larvae produced by cats during the course of a typical infestation.

Attention has been drawn to the fact that the occurrence of the cystic stage of Echinococcus granulosus in 60% of slaughtered horses represents a potential public health hazard (Thompson and Smyth, 1974). Williams and Sweatman (1963) regard this organism as a separate sub-species, E. granulosus equinus distinct from E. granulosus granulosus, but we prefer at this stage to refer to it as the horse “strain” which exhibits some small morphological differences from organisms of sheep origin.

The effect of treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) on the tegument of adult Schistosoma mansoni worms and on liver egg-granulomas has been examined in mice infected with PZQ-resistant and -susceptible parasite isolates. Two PZQ-resistant S. mansoni isolates, one selected by passage in the laboratory under drug pressure and one from Senegal established from eggs excreted by an uncured patient, were compared with PZQ-susceptible control isolates. Scanning electron microscopic observations on the tegument of Schistosoma adult worms treated in vivo with PZQ showed that more severe damage was inflicted by PZQ on susceptible worms than on drug-resistant worms. Observations on the pathology of Schistosoma egg-granulomas in the liver of infected mice after treatment with PZQ indicated that eggs from susceptible control isolates were more sensitive to PZQ than those from drug-resistant isolates.

A modified quick-Kato technique and the Stoll dilution method for the diagnosis of Opisthorchis viverrini infection were compared from the standpoints of both replicability and sensitivity. One Stoll dilution preparation and two modified quick-Kato smears were prepared from single stool specimens collected from 221 persons in a village in north-eastern Thailand. Stool examinations were made in duplicate for each technique by two examiners, and the averages of the raw egg counts were used to estimate the intensity of infection. Statistical analyses revealed that the modified quick-Kato technique was slightly more sensitive, and thus would detect more positives, but was lacking in replicability and hence less suitable for measurement of individual intensity of infection. We therefore recommend the Stoll dilution technique for field surveys and measurement of individual intensity of 0. viverrini infection.

Species of Anisakis typically infect the stomach of cetaceans worldwide, often causing ulcerative lesions that may compromise the host's health. These nematodes also cause anisakiasis or allergic reactions in humans. To assess the risks of this emerging zoonosis, data on long-term changes in Anisakis infections in cetaceans are necessary. Here, we compare the prevalence and severity of ulcerative lesions caused by Anisakis spp. in five cetacean species stranded along the north-west Spanish coast in 2017–2018 with published data from 1991–1996. Open ulcers were found in 32/43 short-beaked common dolphins, Delphinus delphis; 3/5 striped dolphins, Stenella coeruleoalba; 1/7 bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus; and 1/3 harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena meridionalis; a single individual of long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas, was found uninfected. In common dolphins, the mean abundance of open ulcers per host was 1.1 (95% confidence interval: 0.8–1.3), with a maximum diameter (mean ± standard deviation) of 25.4 ± 16.9 mm. Stomachs with scars or extensive fibrosis putatively associated with Anisakis were detected in 14 and five animals, respectively. A molecular analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase II gene using 18 worms from three cetacean species revealed single or mixed infections of Anisakis simplex sensu stricto and Anisakis pegreffii. Compared with the period 1991–1996, we found a strong increase of prevalence, abundance and extension of ulcerative lesions in most cetacean species. Anisakis populations could have increased in the study area over the last decades, although we cannot rule out that a higher environmental stress has also boosted the pathological effects of these parasites.

Methods for isolating the various stages of parasite life-cycles in large amounts and in a clean condition for biochemical and immunological studies are urgently needed. Among the parasitic nematodes the methods so far developed mainly concern the adult worm, though the eggs of some of the Ascaroidea are notable exceptions. This paper describes adaptations of one of the traditional methods of culturing Nippostrongylus infective larvae which satisfy the needs of biochemical and immunological studies.

A human case of Philophthahmis infection in the eye is reported from Ceylon. Reasons are given for not attempting a specific diagnosis.

This is the second record of this genvs from man, and is also the first trematode to be observed from man in Ceylon.

We are grateful to Professor V. Sivalingam for facilities to identify and report on the parasite, and to Professor J. J. C. Buckley for his suggestions. The photomicrograph was kindly prepared by Mr. R. Surendranatham of the Medical Research institute, Colombo.

The abundances of different species in a parasite community are never similar: there is typically one or a few numerically dominant species and many species with low abundance. Here, we determine whether basic features of parasite communities are associated with strong dominance by one or a few species, among 39 component communities of gastrointestinal helminths in marine fishes from Brazil. First, we tested whether the shape of the species abundance distribution in these communities fits that predicted by several theoretical models, using a goodness-of-fit procedure. Only the canonical lognormal model could be rejected for 5 out of 39 communities; all other comparisons of observed and predicted abundance distributions showed no significant differences, although this may be due to limited statistical power. Second, we used the ratio between the abundance of the most abundant species and either the second or third most abundant species, as indices of dominance; these show, for instance, that the dominant species in a community is typically twice, but sometimes over ten times, as abundant as the next most abundant species. We found that these ratios were not influenced by either the community's species richness, the mean number of individual parasites per host, or the taxonomic identity of the dominant species. However, the abundance ratio between the first and third most abundant species in a community was significantly correlated with an independent index of species interactivity, based on the likelihood that the different parasite species in a component community co-occur in the same host individuals: the difference in abundance between the dominant and third most abundant species was greater in communities characterized by weak interactions. These findings suggest that strong interactions may lead to greater evenness in the abundance of species, and that numerical dominance is more likely to result from interspecific differences in recruitment rates.

The life history and biology of C. obsignata in the domestic fowl is described and discussed, together with aspects of the host-parasite relationship. The development of the eggs is shown to be influenced by temperature, humidity, ultra violet radiation and other environmental conditions and these are related to the epidemiology of the parasite. The fowl is susceptible to the development of large numbers of worms, but shows some reaction to very large infective doses. The numbers of worms developing in the host are influenced by the size of the infection and by the age of the host. Large infections produce a consistent depression in weight gain and reduce the efficiency of food conversion. Pathological changes arising from experimental infections are described and compared with those observed in natural infections.

This study investigated interactions among Fasciola gigantica, Schistosoma spp. and Amphistomum spp. concurrent natural infections in Zambian cattle, based on egg and worm counts. In the abattoir 315 cattle were screened for worms of F. gigantica in the liver, Schistosoma spp. in mesenteric veins and/or Amphistomum spp. in the rumen. One hundred and thirty-three (42.2%) of the abattoir-examined cattle harboured one, two or all three trematodes. Of 133 cattle, 50 were randomly selected for worm and egg counts. The mean numbers ( ±  SD) of Amphistomum, Schistosoma and Fasciola were 622.08 ( ±  97.87), 33.68 ( ±  7.44) and 19.46 ( ±  4.58), respectively. A total of 32% harboured all the three trematodes, 66% had F. gigantica and Amphistomum spp. infections, 52% had Schistosoma spp. and Amphistomum spp. infections while 32% had F. gigantica and Schistosoma infections. A positive correlation (P = 0.014) was found between F. gigantica and Amphistomum worm burdens. There were no correlations between Amphistomum and Schistosoma worm burdens and between F. gigantica and Schistosoma worm burdens. It may be concluded that there is no significant cross-protection among these trematodes in cattle in endemic areas.

Third-stage larvae (L3) of Anisakis simplex of a known minimum age of 60 to 61 weeks, the oldest of which may have spent at least three years in herring, were artificially excapsulated in saline and appeared healthy. A small proportion succccded in penetrating the gut wall of rats. The length distribution of L3 of minimum age 18 to 23 weeks did not differ significantly from that of larvae of minimum age 60 to 61 weeks.

A redescription is given of the morphology of the bladder (normal) and branchial (neotenic) forms and the structure'of the larva of Polystoma integerrimum, including a description of the histological changes accompanying digestion, and an account of the peripheral sensory system of the bladder adult.

Strongyloidiasis is usually an asymptomatic disease in immunocompetent patients, caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. However, in immunocompromised patients it can produce a severe clinical profile. Therefore, a correct diagnosis is necessary in these cases and in those chronic asymptomatic patients. The low sensitivity of classical parasitological techniques requires the analysis of multiple serial stool samples. Molecular diagnostic techniques represent an improvement in the detection of the parasite. The objective of this study was to evaluate the minimum number of samples necessary to achieve maximum sensitivity by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 116 stool samples from 39 patients were analysed by direct microscopic observation, agar culture, Harada–Mori and real-time PCR, in one, two, three and four or more consecutive samples. After two serial samples, 6 out of 39 patients were positive by parasitological and molecular techniques, while 16 of them were real-time PCR positive, and all the patients detected by parasitology were also detected by the molecular technique, reaching 100.00% sensitivity versus 83.00% when analysing a single sample. These data also reflect apparently low specificity (51.52%) and positive predictive value (PPV) (27.27 %) values, due to the high number of cases detected by real-time PCR and not by parasitological techniques. These cases were confirmed as true positives when analysing three, four or more samples from the same patient. In conclusion, the application of molecular techniques decreases the number of serial stool samples necessary to give a diagnosis with the maximum sensitivity.