Neobenedenia melleni (Monogenea: Capsalidae) in ornamental reef fish imported to Brazil / Neobenedenia melleni (Monogenea: Capsalidae) em peixes ornamentais de recife importados para o Brasil

Abstract The capsalid monogenean Neobenedenia melleni is known as a lethal pathogen for captured marine teleost ornamental fish, if left untreated. This study reports the occurrence of N. melleni parasitizing four species of ornamental reef fish imported into Brazil and maintained in quarantine: Arabian angelfish (Pomacanthus asfur ), yellowbar angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus), regal angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus), and bluecheek butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus). Ten days after the beginning of quarantine, some fish showed behavioral alterations, such as irritability, and corneal opacity, which were rapidly diagnosed to be caused by monogenean parasites by body surface scraping. The fish from the same batch were treated with two applications of 2 mg L-1 praziquantel each at an interval of four days. Seven days after the first treatment, the mucus surface of the fish was re-examined, which did not reveal the parasites presence being delivered for commercialization.

Resumo Neobenedenia melleni é conhecido como um parasito letal para peixes teleósteos ornamentais marinhos capturados se não tratado. Este estudo relata a ocorrência de N. melleni parasitando quatro espécies de peixes ornamentais importados para o Brazil: Arabian angelfish (Pomacanthus asfur), yellowbar angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus), regal angelfish (Pygoplites diacanthus) e bluecheek butterflyfish ( Chaetodon semilarvatus). Dez dias depois do início da quarentena, foram observados irritabilidade e opacidade na córnea dos peixes que, foram diagnosticadas com N. melleni na superfície corporal. Todos os peixes foram tratados com duas aplicações de praziquantel 2 mg L-1 em intervalo de quatro dias. Sete dias após o início do tratamento, um novo exame parasitológico foi realizado o qual não revelou a presença dos parasitos, sendo liberados para comercialização.

Echinococcosis and other parasitic infections in domestic dogs from urban areas of an argentinean Patagonian city

In urban populations of South America, dogs with free access to public areas represent a public health concern. The primary consequence of roaming dogs on human health is the transmission of infectious and parasitic diseases mainly through feces contamination. The main diseases likely to be transmitted are hydatidosis or echinococcosis, larva migrans, and giardiasis. In Argentina, hydatidosis ranks among the most prevalent zoonosis. Although it is considered a rural disease, the circulation of this parasite in urban areas has been documented. The aim of this work was to survey intestinal parasites in canine feces from two low-income urban neighborhoods of Bariloche city, Argentina, and to assess their seasonal variation. During 2016, 188 fresh dog feces were collected from sidewalks in 40 randomly selected blocks from the neighborhoods. Each sample was processed by Sheater flotation and tested for a coproantigen (CAg) by ELISA. The percentage of parasitized feces was 65.3% (95% CI: 55.9%-73.8%). Eleven parasite species were found, 3 protozoan, 3 cestodes, and 5 nematodes. Echinococcus sp. was present in 9.3% of the samples (95% CI: 4.7%-16.1%). Canine echinococcosis rates resulted similar to rates found previously in other neighborhoods of the city. The life cycle of Echinococcus sp. is sustained in urban areas by the entry of parasitized livestock, domiciliary slaughtering, and inadequate deposition of offal. The risk of Echinococcus sp. transmission to people in these neighborhoods is very high, due to high density of free-roaming dogs and high percentages of infected feces, similar to percentages observed in rural areas.

En las poblaciones urbanas de América del Sur, los perros con acceso libre a áreas públicas representan un problema de salud pública. La principal consecuencia es la transmisión de enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias a través de la contaminación por heces. Las principales enfermedades que pueden transmitirse son hidatidosis, larva migrans y giardiasis. En Argentina, la hidatidosis es una de las zoonosis más prevalentes y aunque es considerada una enfermedad rural, algunos estudios muestran la circulación de este parásito en zonas urbanas. El objetivo fue registrar los parásitos intestinales en heces caninas de dos barrios de bajos ingresos de la ciudad de Bariloche, Argentina, y evaluar su variación estacional. Durante 2016, se recolectaron 188 heces frescas de perros en 40 manzanas seleccionados aleatoriamente. Las heces se procesaron mediante flotación de Sheater y una prueba ELISA de coproantigeno (CAg). El porcentaje de heces parasitadas fue del 65.3% (IC 95%: 55.9%-73.8%). Se encontraron 11 especies de parásitos, 3 protozoos, 3 cestodes y 5 nematodes. Echinococcus sp. estuvo presente en el 9.3% de las heces (IC 95%: 4.7% -16.1%). La equinococosis canina mostró valores similares a estudios previos en otros barrios de la ciudad. El ciclo de vida Echinococcus sp. se mantiene en las zonas urbanas por entrada de ganado parasitado, faena domiciliaria y deposición inadecuada de vísceras. El riesgo de transmisión de Echinococcus sp. en estos barrios es alto, debido a la alta densidad de perros sueltos y al alto porcentaje de heces infectadas, similar al de las zonas rurales.

FIRST CASE OF HUMAN INFECTION BY Bertiella studeri (Blanchard, 1891) Stunkard,1940 (Cestoda; Anoplocephalidae) IN BRAZIL / Primeiro caso de infecção humana por Bertiella studeri (Blanchard, 1891) Stunkard,1940 (Cestoda; Anoplocephalidae) no Brasil

SUMMARY Cestodes of the Bertiella genus are parasites of non-human primates found in Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. Species Bertiella studeri and Bertiella mucronatacould, accidentally, infect human beings. The infection occurs from ingestion of mites from the Oribatida order containing cysticercoid larvae of the parasite. The objective of this report is to register the first case of human infection by Bertiella studeri in Brazil. Proglottids of the parasite, found in the stool sample of a two-and-a-half-year-old child, were fixed, stained and microscopically observed to evaluate its morphological characteristics. Eggs obtained from the proglottids were also studied. The gravid proglottids examined matched the description of the genus Bertiella. The eggs presented a round shape, with the average diameter of 43.7 µm, clearly showing the typical pyriform apparatus of B. studeri. The authors concluded that the child was infected with Bertiella studeri,based on Stunkard's (1940) description of the species. This is the fifth case of human Bertiellosis described in Brazil through morphometric analysis of the parasite, the third in Minas Gerais State and the first diagnosed case of Bertiella studeriin Brazil.

RESUMO Os cestódeos do gênero Bertiellasão parasitos de primatas não humanos, os quais são encontrados na África, Ásia, Austrália, Oceania e Américas. As espécies Bertiella studeri e Bertiella mucronata podem, eventualmente, vir a infectar os seres humanos e a infecção acontece pela ingestão acidental de ácaros da ordem Oribatida infectados com larvas cisticercóides do parasito. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar o primeiro caso humano por Bertiella studeri no Brasil. Proglotes do parasito, encontrado na amostra de fezes de uma criança com idade de 2,5 anos, foram fixados, corados e observados ao microscópio para avaliar as suas características morfológicas. Ovos, obtidos a partir dos proglotes também foram estudados. As proglotes grávidas examinadas estavam de acordo com a descrição do gênero Bertiella. Os ovos apresentam forma arredondada com diâmetro médio de 43,7 µm, demonstrando claramente aparelho piriforme típico de B. studeri. Os autores concluíram que a criança estava infectada com Bertiella studeri, de acordo com a descrição da espécie por Stunkard (1940). Este é o quinto caso de Bertiellose humana descrita no Brasil por meio de análises morfométricas do parasito, o terceiro em Minas Gerais e o primeiro caso de diagnóstico por Bertiella studeri no Brasil.

Monitoring of parasitic cysts in the brains of a flock of sheep in Egypt / Monitoramento de cistos parasitários no cérebro de um rebanho de ovinos no Egito

Cerebral parasitic cysts constitute a major problem for livestock. Among these, coenurosis and toxoplasmosis are predominant. Here, a total number of 60 sheep obtained from a private farm in Suez province, Egypt, were examined postmortem to detect visible parasitic cysts, and microscopically to detect small-sized entities. Necropsy revealed bladder-like cysts measuring 0.5-6.5 cm in diameter that were filled with a translucent fluid containing a large number of protoscolices. Accordingly, the cysts were identified as the metacestode Coenurus cerebralis. Among the sheep examined, 11 animals (7 males and 4 females) (18.3%) were infected. Most of the cysts were located in the cerebral hemispheres, with numbers ranging from one to three per infected animal. The effect of the presence of cysts in the brain tissue was evaluated. Histopathologically, pseudocysts of the apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii were found in two animals with no detectable inflammatory cell reactions. In conclusion, coenurosis and toxoplasmosis are serious parasitic problems that play a significant role in sheep management in Egypt, as a result of close contact between livestock and dogs and cats, which play a critical role in the life cycle of these parasites.

Cistos cerebrais parasitários constituem um grande problema para o gado. Entre estes, coenurosis e toxoplasmose são predominantes. Aqui, um número total de 60 ovelhas obtidas em uma fazenda particular na província Suez, Egito, foram examinadas post-mortem para a detecção de cistos parasitários visíveis e microscopicamente para detectar cistos de pequenas dimensões. A necropsia revelou cistos medindo entre 0,5-6,5 cm de diâmetro, preenchidos com um fluido transparente, contendo um grande número de protoscolices. Por conseguinte, os cistos foram identificados como o metacestóide Coenurus cerebralis. Entre as ovelhas examinadas, 11 animais (7 machos e 4 fêmeas) (18,3%) estavam infectados. A maior parte dos cistos estavam localizados nos hemisférios cerebrais, com números variando de um a três em ovinos infectados. O efeito da presença de cistos no tecido do cérebro foi avaliado. Histopatologicamente, pseudocistos de Toxoplasma gondii foram encontrados em dois animais sem reações inflamatórias detectáveis. Em conclusão, coenurosis e toxoplasmose são graves problemas parasitários que desempenham um papel significativo no manejo de ovelhas no Egito, como resultado do contacto íntimo dos animais com os cães e gatos, que desempenham um papel crítico no ciclo de vida desses parasitas.

Infección por Dipylidium caninum en un preescolar: presentación del caso y revisión de la literatura / Dipylidium caninum infection in a 2 year old infant: case report and literature review

Dipylidiasis is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the dog tapeworm Dipylidium caninum; it affects both feline and canine species and accidentally, humans. In Chile, as well as in other countries, it is an uncommon infection. A case of a 2 year old child from Casablanca, (a city located in the Valparaíso Región), with an infection by D. caninum, is presented. Clinical manifestations are reviewed, as well as epidemiology in domestic and wild animáis, cases among the published national literature and its treatment and prevention strategies.

La dipilidiasis es una zoonosis parasitaria provocada por Dipylidium caninum, teniasis que afecta a cánidos, félidos y, en forma accidental, al hombre. En Chile, al igual que en otros países, es una infección poco frecuente. Se presenta el caso de un preescolar con una infección por D. caninum, residente en la comuna de Casablanca, Región de Valparaíso. Se revisan las manifestaciones producidas por este agente, la epidemiología en animales domésticos y salvajes, los casos publicados en la literatura nacional, así como su tratamiento y las medidas de prevención.

Teníase e cisticercose: breve revisão dos aspectos gerais / Teniasis and cysticercosis: review and general aspects

O presente artigo procura enfatizar os aspectos mais importantes da teníase - epidemiológicos, etiológicos, imunopatológicos, clínicos, terapêuticos e de prevenção - e helmintose causada por cestódeos do gênero Taenia - Taenia solium e Taenia saginata - ambos os parasitos que têm o homem como hospedeiro definitivo. São revistas, também, algumas particularidades da cisticercose, complicação causada pela infecção por formas larvares de T. solium.

Cenurose em ovinos no sul do Brasil: 16 casos / Coenurosis of sheep in southern Brazil: 16 cases

Neste trabalho são descritos casos de doença neurológica causada por Coenurus cerebralis em 16 ovinos provenientes de nove propriedades rurais do Rio Grande do Sul. Os casos ocorreram entre janeiro de 1990 e dezembro de 2006. A evolução clínica variou de 30-90 dias e os ovinos afetados apresentavam depressão (9/16), isolamento do rebanho (8/16), andar cambaleante (7/16), cegueira (4/16), desvio da cabeça (3/16), incoordenação (3/16), movimentos de pedalagem (2/16), quedas (2/16), andar em círculos, deficiência proprioceptiva nos membros torácicos e pélvicos, estrabismo, midríase, opistótono, tremores e rigidez dos membros (1/16 cada). Os achados macroscópicos foram restritos ao sistema nervoso central e caracterizados por cistos de 2 a 9cm de diâmetro preenchidos por líquido translúcido e revestidos por fina membrana. Na parte interna da membrana, havia numerosas estruturas levemente alongadas e brancas de aproximadamente 1mm de diâmetro (escólices). Na maioria dos ovinos, os cistos eram localizados no telencéfalo (12/16); em três, os cistos estavam no cerebelo e em um ovino havia um cisto no cerebelo e um na medula espinhal. Em todos os casos havia acentuada compressão e deslocamento do tecido nervoso adjacente aos cistos. Histologicamente, os cistos parasitários eram formados por dupla membrana fracamente eosinofílica da qual evaginavam múltiplos escólices esféricos acelomados. Adjacente à parede da vesícula eram observadas sucessivas camadas compostas por uma zona de necrose e mineralização, circundadas por infiltrado inflamatório composto por macrófagos epitelióides e células gigantes multinucleadas, com uma cápsula externa de tecido fibrovascular e infiltrado inflamatório linfoistioplasmocitário perivascular. Adicionalmente, havia compressão e atrofia das substâncias branca e cinzenta adjacentes. O diagnóstico de cenurose foi realizado com base nos achados epidemiológicos, clínicos e macroscópicos, e confirmado pela histopatologia.

Sixteen cases of neurologic disease caused by Coenurus cerebralis occurring in sheep from nine farms in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from January 1990 to December 2006, are described. Clinical courses varied from 30 to 90 days and affected sheep developed depression (9/16), isolation from the herd (8/16), staggering (7/16), blindness (4/16), head tilt (3/16), incoordination (3/16), paddling (2/16), falls (2/16), circling, proprioceptive deficits in fore and hindlimbs, strabismus, mydriasis, opisthotonus, trembling and rigidity of the limbs (1/16 each one). Macroscopic findings were restricted to central nervous system and consisted of 2 to 9cm fluid filled cysts with numerous slightly elongated 1 mm white scolices attached to the inner wall surface of the capsule. Cysts were located in the telencephalon (12/16); in the cerebellum (3 sheep); and in the cerebellum and spinal cord (1 sheep). All cases showed severe compression and displacement of the adjacent nervous tissue. Histologically, the cyst walls were characterized by a thin walled eosinophilic vesicle in which evaginated multiple spherical acelomated scolices. The cyst wall was surrounded by successive layers consisting of an internal necrotic and mineralized band, a layer of epithelioid macrophages with abundant number of multinucleated giant cell and an external fibrovascular capsule with perivascular lymphohistioplasmacytic infiltrate. Adjacent white and gray matter were compressed and atrophied. The diagnosis was based on epidemiologic, clinical and pathologic findings and confirmed by histopathology.

Cestóides Pseudophyllidea parasitos de congro-rosa,Genypterus brasiliensis Regan, 1903 comercializadosno estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Pseudophyllidea cestodes parasitic in cusk-eel, Genypterus brasiliensis Regan, 1903 purchased in the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Entre outubro de 2002 e setembro de 2003 foram adquiridos 74 espécimes de Genypterus brasiliensis comercializados nosmercados dos municípios de Niterói e Rio de Janeiro. Estes foram necropsiados, filetados e seus órgãos analisados. Dos 74espécimes analisados, 18 (24,3 por cento) estavam parasitados por plerocercóides pertencentes ao gênero Diphyllobothrium Cobbold,1858 na cavidade abdominal, serosa do intestino, intestino e musculatura, onde a intensidade média de infecção foi de 1,66parasitos por peixe, a amplitude de variação da intensidade de infecção variou de um a sete e a abundância média foi de 0,40.Este é o primeiro registro de plerocercóides de Diphyllobothrium sp. em peixes teleósteos no Brasil.

Between October 2002 and September 2003 were collected 74 specimens of Genypterus brasiliensis purchased in the Niteróiand Rio de Janeiro municipalities. Those were necropsied, fileted and their organs analyzed. From 74 specimens analyzed, 18 (24,3 percent) were parasitized by plerocercoids of Diphyllobothrium Cobbold, 1858 on the cavity abdominal, intestine serose,intestine and musculature, where the mean intensity of infection was 1,66 parasites per fish, the range was one to seven andmean abundance was 0,40. This is the first plerocercoids record of Diphyllobothrium sp. in Brazilian teleosts fish.

Inermicapsifer madagascariensis / Inermicapsifer madagascariensis

Se hace la presentación de un caso recibido en abril de 2004 en el Laboratorio de Microbiología del Instituto Superior de Medicina Militar Dr Luis Díaz Soto de una niña de 2 años de edad que expulsaba granos de arroz que se movían en las heces fecales; se hizo el diagnóstico de Inermicapsifer madagascariensis . La “reaparición” del parásito motivó a realizar una revisión sobre este y su incidencia en Cuba. Tras un período de silencio desde 1948, reaparece en 1996 el reporte de 2 casos en Ciudad de La Habana y a posteriori en el 2003 diagnostican 23 casos en Santa Clara, por lo que se hace un llamado a los médicos de asistencia acerca de la presencia del parásito en este medio.

The case received at the Microbiology Laboratory of Dr Luis Díaz Soto Higher Institute of Military Medicine, in April 2004, of a 2-year-old girl that expelled grains of rice in the feces is reported. The diagnosis of Inermicapsifer madagascariensis was made. The parasite reappearance led us to make a review of it, and of its incidence in Cuba . After a silence period since 1948, 2 cases were reported in Havana City in 1996, and 23 cases were diagnosed in Santa Clara, in 2003. That is why a call is made to health care physicians on the presence of this parasite in our environment.

The first human infection with Bertiella studeri in Vietnam.

This is the first case report of Bertiella studeri infection in Vietnam. The patient was a 4 year old boy in Cai Lay district of Tien Giang Province, noting some proglottids in his feces. The time and mode of infection were unknown, but anorexia, weight loss, and intermittent diarrhea were noted. Niclosamide (Yomesan) 1 gram was prescribed, and then albendazole (Zentel) 400mg daily for 3 days. Proglottids were found in the feces three months after the first treatment, and 1 month after the second course.

Neurocysticercosis: utilizing the cystic fluid antigen from Taenia solium metacestodes for diagnosis by IgG-ELISA.

Cystic fluid, which has antigenic properties of whole Taenia solium cysticerci, was used to discriminate neurocysticercosis cases and other parasitic infections, especially helminthiases. Twenty-one neurocysticercosis and several kinds of 22 different parasitic infections, including HIV cases (n=234) evaluated a 90.48% sensitivity and 86.32% specificity of indirect ELISA as follows: a low antigen concentration of 5 microg/ml. serum dilution of 1:400, conjugate dilution of 1:2,000 and a cut-off value of 0.349. Eight different helminthic infections (n = 25); echinococcosis (8/10), gnathostomiasis (6/8), strongyloidiasis (5/14), hookworm infection (1/18), angiostrongyliasis (2/25), opisthorchiasis (1/18), onchocercosis (1/3) and toxocariasis (1/6) were cross-reactive with this antigen. No serum antibody from other brain infections in the study gave a reaction with the antigen. In this study, the cystic fluid antigen gave high sensitivity of the test. However, the antigen contains various antigenic molecules able to bind with antibodies from several of the above helminthic sera, especially echinococcosis and gnathostomiasis. In Thailand, gnathostomiasis is one of the more famous tropical diseases but echinococcosis is quite rare. Cystic fluid antigen should be further investigated for its specific finding in diagnosis.

Infección por dypilidium caninum en un lactante / A case of infection by dypilidium caninum in an infant

Dypilidium caninum es un cestode común en perros y gatos distribuido en todo el mundo. El ser humano, huesped accidental, adquiere la infección a través de las pulgas en asociación con las mascotas infectadas, siendo esta enfermedad más frecuente en niños. Presentamos el caso de una niña de un año y medio de edad, que durante siete meses eliminó proglótidas en las deposiciones, consultando en numerosas oportunidades siendo tratada con fármacos dirigidos a protozoos y nematelmintos. Finalmente, luego de la identificación del Dypilidium caninum se trató a la paciente con niclosamida, evolucionando satisfactoriamente

Cestodosis del equino y las posibilidad de su control / Equine cestodosis and its control possibilities

En consideración a que ha aumentado la prevalencia y los casos clínicos de la cestodosis del equino en Chile, se revisó la literatura de los últimos 15 años. La especie más frecuentemente descrita es Anoplocephala perfoliata. La presente revisión resume, prevalencia e intensidad de infección a nivel mundial, ciclo biológico, patogénesis y las dificultades del diagnóstico y tratamiento. Se analizan las posibilidades del control de la parasitosis en base a una hipótesis epidemiológica

Bertiellosis in man: a review of cases

En este trabajo se hace una arevision de los casos humanos parasitados por Bertiella mucronata y Bertiella studeri (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae), que incluye la casuistica internacional y bibliografia actualizada. Se analizan varios aspectos de esta zoonosis como son: taxonomia, ciclo biologico, epidemiologia, patologia, diagnostico, control, prevencion y terapeutica. Se discuten aspectos relacionados con la potencialidad zoonotica creciente de esta parasitosis

Infection of an adult in Mie Prefecture, Japan by Bertiella studeri.

Two gravid strobila without scolex were passed by a 23-year-old male in Mie Prefecture, Japan. Morphological features were comparable to characteristics of Bertiella studeri. Although two children's cases have already been reported, this is the first case of an adult in Japan since the occurrence of B. studeri was proven in Japan.

Incidencia de la enteroparasitosis en el area de Puerto Quijarro / Incidence of enteric parasites in the area of Port Quijarro

Se realizaron revisiones de los cuadernos de consultas externas, tambien se reviso 280 historias clinicas con diagnostico de parasitosis, para observar la incidencia del porcentaje en relacion con otra patologia, en los diferentes meses, la edad, sexo y parasitos mas frecuente.

Application of biotechnology methods to the study of cestodes.

The advent of biotechnology has invigorated research on the control of cestode diseases, especially cysticercosis infections in man and animals. The utilization of hybridoma technology to produce antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies has resulted in great strides towards obtaining pure antigens relevant for immunodiagnostic purposes and for research on vaccines. However, the isolation and identification of antigens is only the initial step in the development of such reagents. Production of antigens in quantities sufficient for research/development and commercialization is hampered by the scarcity of viable parasite material for extraction. Expectations are that this problem can be surmounted by application of recombinant DNA methods to produce cloned genes for antigen expression in cultured microorganisms or cells. Remarkable progress has been made recently in isolating and cloning genes from several important cestode species and antigens have been expressed in vitro with genes cloned from Taenia taeniaformis and T. hydatigena. Although these early efforts have not as yet resulted in practical antigen production, the prospects for doing so appear good. The complex epidemiology of cestode diseases is another research subject that has benefited from the successful application of the tools of biotechnology. For example, the greater precision in typing biological variants afforded by DNA analysis has led to important revisions of the understanding of hydatid disease. DNA probes are now available for Echinococcus spp, which are effective for typing isolates. These probes may also find use as reagents for distinguishing eggs of Echinococcus from other taeniid eggs, a serious difficulty for field investigations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)