Evaluation of terrestrial gastropods as possible intermediate hosts of Gurltia paralysans in southern Chile / Avaliação de gastrópodes terrestres como possíveis hospedeiros intermediários de Gurltia paralysans no sul do Chile

Abstract Gurltia paralysans is the causal agent of gurltiosis in domestic cats in South America. Although the life cycle of G. paralysans is unknown, it is thought that gastropods could act as intermediate hosts (IHs), as is the case for several nematodes in the Angiostrongylidae family. The aim of this study was to search for G. paralysans larvae in terrestrial gastropods and determine their role in the life cycle of this nematode species. Terrestrial gastropod samples (n=835) were collected in Punucapa, Valdivia, southern Chile, where cases of gurltiosis had been reported before. The samples included species from the families Arionidae, Limacidae, Helicidae and Milacidae. All gastropods were subjected to enzymatic digestion to isolate G. paralysans larvae. Ten percent of the gastropod samples were analyzed using seminested PCR targeting the 28S rRNA gene, while 2.6% were analyzed by histopathological examination. The results indicated the absence of G. paralysans when using any of the three methods. In conclusion, further studies are needed to evaluate specific species of aquatic or native gastropods acting as possible IHs (in this geographic location).

Resumo Gurltia paralysans é o agente etiológico da gurltiose em gatos domésticos na América do Sul. Embora o ciclo biologico de G. paralysans seja desconhecido, provavelmente é indireto com gastrópodes atuando como hospedeiros intermediários (HIs), como no caso de vários nematoides da família Angiostrongylidae. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença de larvas de G. paralysans em gastrópodes terrestres para avaliar seu papel no ciclo de vida do parasito. Amostras de gastrópodes terrestres (n = 835) foram coletadas em Punucapa, Valdivia, sul do Chile, onde casos de gurltiose foram relatados anteriormente. As amostras incluíram espécies das famílias Arionidae, Limacidae, Helicidae e Milacidae. Todos os gastrópodes foram submetidos à digestão enzimática para isolar as larvas de G. paralysans. 10% das amostras foram analisadas, utilizando-se seminested PCR para o gen 28S RNAr de G. paralysans, enquanto 2,6% foram analisados ​​por exame histopatológico. Os resultados indicaram ausência de G. paralysans em todos os três métodos. Os dados permitem concluir que são necessários mais estudos para avaliar espécies específicas de gastrópodes aquáticos ou nativos, que atuam como possíveis hospedeiros intermediários nessa localização geográfica.

Infecção natural por larvas de metastrongilídeos em moluscos terrestres de diferentes regiões do estado de São Paulo

Objetivo: Caracterizar a série histórica do número de municípios infestados por Aedes aegypti e por Aedes albopictus no estado de São Paulo (ESP), de 1986 a 2015. Analisar sua sazonalidade, temperaturas médias, indicadores de infestação de cada espécie, e verificar sua interdependência espacial na Região Metropolitana do Vale do Paraíba Paulista (RMVP). Material e Métodos: Os dados das ações de vigilância entomológica foram obtidos com o índice de Breteau (IB), do banco de dados da Superintendência de Controle de Endemias (Sucen). Foram calculadas as médias aritméticas por mês e ano, e analisadas pelo teste de Wilcoxon. Os mapas de temperatura foram obtidos junto ao Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET). Para análise geoespacial das espécies na RMVP foi empregado o indicador global de Moran (I) e o estimador de densidade Kernel (k). Resultados: O estado de São Paulo apresentou-se quase que totalmente infestado pelas duas espécies, com registro de coexistência em 93,64% dos municípios. A trajetória geográfica dessas espécies...

Prevalencia de helmintos intestinales en gatos domésticos del departamento del Quindío, Colombia / Prevalence of intestinal helminths in cats in Quindío, Colombia

Introducción. Las enfermedades producidas por helmintos están ampliamente distribuidas en el mundo y muchas de ellas se consideran zoonosis. Los animales de compañía cumplen un papel trascendental en la transmisión a los humanos. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de helmintos intestinales en gatos del departamento del Quindío. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 121 gatos domésticos del departamento del Quindío, de los cuales se registraron los datos de sexo, edad y condición corporal. Se recolectaron heces y se procesaron mediante las técnicas de Ritchie modificada y de Kato-Katz. Resultados. De los 121 gatos, 42,14 % (IC95%: 33,35-50,94) y 45,45 % (IC95%: 36,58-54,32) resultaron parasitados con alguna especie de helminto adulto según la presencia de huevos en sus heces, mediante las técnicas de Ritchie y de Kato-Katz, respectivamente. Toxocara cati fue el parásito más prevalente(Ritchie: 37,2 %; Kato-Katz: 43 %), seguido por Ancylostoma spp. (Ritchie: 7,43 %; Kato-Katz: 5,78 %) y Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Ritchie: 0,82 %). Sesenta y cinco (53,71 %) gatos eran hembras y 56 (46,28 %) eran machos; la prevalencia de infección fue similar en ambos sexos. Los felinos mayores de 4 años de edad presentaron mayor prevalencia de parásitos (81,8 %), seguidos por los de 1 a 4 años (48,8 %) y, por último, por los menores de un año (28,6 %). Se encontró una buena condición corporal en 77,68 % y este grupo presentó menor frecuencia de helmintos intestinales. Conclusión. La prevalencia de helmintos intestinales en gatos domésticos del departamento del Quindío fue de 43,8 %, lo que hace necesario establecer programas de vigilancia y prevención en la población humana y felina.

Introduction. Diseases caused by helminths are widely distributed in the world and many of them are considered zoonoses in which pets play a major role in transmission to humans. Objective. The prevalence of intestinal helminths was determined in cats in Quindío Province. Materials and methods. One hundred twenty-one cats were characterized --data recorded included sex, age and body condition. Fecal samples were collected and processed using the modified Ritchie and modified Kato-Katz techniques to determine the presence of intestinal helminths. Results. Of the 121 cats, 42.1%, (95% CI: 33.4-50.9) and 45.5% (95% CI: 36.6-54.3) were parasitized with at least one adult helminth species as evidenced by the presence of eggs in their fecal samples. Toxocara cati was the most prevalent parasite (Ritchie: 37.2%, Kato-Katz: 43%), followed by Ancylostoma spp. (Ritchie: 7.4%, Kato-Katz: 5.8%) and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Ritchie: 0.82%). Sixty-five cats (53.7%) were females and 56 (46.3%) males; the prevalence of infection was similar in both sexes. Cats older than 4 years had the highest prevalence (81.8%) followed by those aged 1 to 4 years (48.8%) and by those under 1 year (28.6%). The majority of cats, 77.7%, were found to be in good body condition and this group had the lowest frequency of intestinal helminths with both techniques. Conclusion. The prevalence of intestinal helminths in domestic cats in Quindío was 43.8%; it is necessary to establish surveillance and prevention programs in the human and feline populations.

Study on small ruminant lungworms and associated risk factors in northeastern Iran

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the prevalence, identify the species involved and assess possible risk factors of lungworm infection in small ruminant slaughtered in abattoir of Mashhad in the northeast of Iran from October 2010-August 2011.@*METHODS@#Faecal and post mortem examination were conducted on 350 and 2 500 animals, respectively.@*RESULTS@#The overall prevalence of lungworm infection was 10.85% and 3.80% in coproscopic and post mortem examination respectively, and this difference was found to be significant. Higher prevalence of lungworm infection was recorded in post mortem examination in sheep (4.1%) than in goats (0.5%) (P< 0.05). The proportion of infection with Dictyocaulus filaria, Protostrongylus rufescens and mixed infection were 3.7%, 0.1% and 0.2% in sheep while in goats, the infection was reported with Dictyocaulus filaria (0.5%) only. The seasonal dynamics of lungworm infection showed that prevalence was highest in winter (7.8%) with a remarkable decline during the dry time (summer) (0.8%) which the difference was significant (P<0.001). The animals of less than one year old showed greater infection in post mortem examination than older animals significantly (P<0.001). Also, the infection rate between male and female animals showed significant difference (P<0.05) with prevalence rate of 4.6% and 2.0%, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Due to its impact on production, emphasis should be given for the control and prevention of lungworm infection in this area.

Parasite meningomyelitis in cats in Uruguay / Meningomielites parasitária em gatos no Uruguai

Two outbreaks of progressive hind limb paresis in cats (Felis catus) caused by parasitic meningomyelitis in Uruguay are reported. The case studies occurred in 2008 and 2009 respectively, in the rural areas of Fray Bentos (33º 07' 40.39" S) and were characterized by hindquarter paralysis. This paralysis was progressive and had a chronic progression of approximately 12 months until the death or euthanasia of the animals. Clinical symptoms started with ataxia of the hindquarters with lateral side-to-side swaying and culminated in total paralysis. Two animals were sent for necropsy in 2009. The main histopathological findings were severe myelitis in the lumbar spinal cord with perivascular cuffing and white matter necrosis, severe nonsuppurative meningitis with thrombi in subarachnoid blood vessels, and intravascular presence of multiple adult parasites. From the morphological characteristics of the parasites and location in the leptomeninges, the parasite was identified as the nematode Gurltia paralysans.

São relatados dois surtos de paralisia progressiva dos membros posteriores em gatos (Felis catus), causada por meningomielite parasitária no Uruguai. Os estudos de casos ocorreram entre os anos 2008 e 2009, respectivamente, nas zonas rurais de Fray Bentos (33º 07' 40,39" S) e foram caracterizados por paralisia dos membros posteriores. Esta paralisia era progressiva e tinha evolução crônica de aproximadamente 12 meses, até que os animais vinham a óbito ou eram eutanasiados. Os sintomas clínicos começaram com ataxia dos membros posteriores, com movimentos laterais, terminado em paralisia total. Em 2009, dois animais foram encaminhados para necropsia. Os achados histopatológicos foram caracterizados por severa mielite na medula espinhal lombar com manguitos perivasculares linfocitarios e necrose da substância branca, severa meningite não supurativa com trombos nos vasos sanguíneos subaracnóideos, e presença intravascular de múltiplos parasitos adultos. De acordo com as características morfológicas dos parasitos e localização nas leptomeninges, este foi identificado como um nematóide da espécie Gurltia paralysans.

Achatina Fulica como hospedeiro intermediário de nematódeos de interesse médico-veterinário em Goiás, Brasil / Achatina fulica as an intermediate host of nematoda of medical-veterinary interest in Goiás, Brazil

Achatina fulica, também conhecido como caramujo africano, é um molusco terrestre que pode atuar como hospedeiro intermediário de vários helmintos, entre eles alguns com importância médica e veterinária como Angiostrongylus cantonensis e Angiostrongylus costaricensis, nematódeos responsáveis pela meningoencefalite eosinofílica e pela angiostrongilose abdominal, respectivamente. Este estudo objetivou conhecer a distribuição deste molusco no estado de Goiás e pesquisar a ocorrência de larvas de nematódeos de interesse parasitológico. Detectado, inicialmente, em 2003 no município de Morrinhos, A. fulica teve sua distribuição geográfica ampliada e encontra-se atualmente presente em 39,5por cento, dos municípios de Goiás. A pesquisa da helmintofauna,realizada pela técnica de digestão artificial das amostras obtidas em Caldas Novas, Morrinhos e BelaVista de Goiás, resultou no encontro de larvas de Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (prevalência de 35por cento), Rhabditis sp. (47,5por cento), Strongyluris sp. (15por cento) e de outros metastrongilídeos (2,5por cento). Este estudo ampliou o conhecimento da distribuição geográfica de A. fulica em Goiás e reforçou a participação deste molusco em ciclos biológicos de helmintos, indicando a necessidade de controle e vigilância epidemiológica em áreas urbanas com grande densidade deste molusco em razão da facilidade de contato com as populações humanas e de animais domésticos, o que propicia a transmissão de zoonoses.

Humoral immune response of Balb/c mice to larval and adult worm antigens of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis.

The development of Angiostrongylus malaysiensis in Balb/c mice and the humoral response due to it were studied by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with adult worm and L3 antigens. The worms recovered from mice were seen in the brain tissue only, they failed to migrate to the lung as in the normal host (rats). The antibody titres of sera from infected mice, showed similar patterns in response to L3 antigen and to adult worm antigen. However, the highest antibody response could be detected by L3 antigen in the early period after infection while the adult worm antigen detected a higher response in the later stages of development.

Preparation of monoclonal antibody against Angiostrongylus cantonensis antigen.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against A cantonensis were produced through fusion of immunised spleen cells from BALB/c mice with NS-1 myeloma cells at a ratio of 10:1. The successful fusion rate on the 3rd day of fusion was 90.1%. Ten MAb were characterised, six of which were IgG1 and the remaining four were IgG2a, IgG2b, IgM and IgA respectively. Among 6 IgG1 MAb, four were A. cantonensis-specific, of which three reacted to adult worm antigen only and one reacted to both adult worm and juvenile worm antigens. Two other IgG1 MAb showed cross-reaction with other helminthic antigens of Toxocara canis. Ascaris suum. Paragonimus westermani, Dirofilaria immitis, Anisakis Spp, Gnatostoma Spinigerum and Clonorchis sinensis.

Influencia de la edad de los veronicélidos en la infección con Angiostrongylus costaricensis / Influence of the age of Veronicellid slugs in Angiostrongylus costaricensis infection

In Costa Rica, Veronicellid slugs are the most important hosts for Angiostrongylus costaricencis. Apparently, these molluscs develop a resistant mechanism after being exposed to the infection. In naturally infected slugs, the higher infection rates were found in larger slugs, but they usually bear few larvae. larger number of larvae were found in medium sized molluscs. Experimental infection in laboratory breed slugs produced an amebocytic reaction around developing larvae; later, the formation of a fobrotic capsule is observed. When there is a second infection, cell reaction is stronger and the larvae show degenerativesigns. This cell-mediated resistant mechanism seems to explain why the biggest moluscs, although more probably exposed to infection, bear fewer larvae.

The intermediate host of Angiostrongylus costaricensis in Honduras

Se colectaron babosas (Veronicellidae) en el Departamento de Morazán, Honduras. La digestión con jugo gástrico artificial mostró la presencia de larvas de tercer estadio morfológicamente semejantes a Angiostrongylus costaricensis. Seles inculó les inoculó en ratas (Sigmodon hispidus) con sonda gástrica. Cincuenta días después se obtuvieron los nemátodos adultos y se confirmó el diagnóstico. A pesar de que se han encontrado casos humanos de angiostrongiliasis abdominal en Honduras, nunca se había encontrado el parásito en su huésped intermediario

Filariopsis barretoi (travassos, 1921) (Nematoda: metastrongyloidea) lung parasite of primates from South America - taxonomy, synonyms and pathology

Foram estudados os nematóides e fragmentos do pulmäo, coletados de Cebus spp., Callithrix jacchus (L.) e Saimiri sciureus (L.). O estudo morfológico, principalmente dos espículos de Cebus spp. e de Callithrix juacchus, mostrou tratar-se de uma só espécie, Filariopsis barretoi (Travassos, 1921); os nomes F. arator e F. cebi säo sinônimos. É dada uma descriçäo pormenorizada das lesöes provocadas por estes vermes no parênquima pulmonar dos macacos

Motility and drug susceptibility of Angiostrongylus cantonensis developing from gamma-irradiated first-stage larvae.

The effects of neuropharmacological agents on the motility of irradiated and non-irradiated Angiostrongylus cantonensis adult females were studied. GABA induced complete paralysis in non-irradiated and 5,000 R-irradiated worms, but caused only slight paralysis on 10,000 R-irradiated worms. The paralytic effect of GABA was antagonised by picrotoxin. The reason for low susceptibility of heavily irradiated worms to GABA is not known. There was no difference in susceptibility of non-irradiated and irradiated worms to other neuropharmacological agents including eserine, phenylephrine and dibenamine.

Studies on growth and distribution of Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae in Ampullarium canaliculatus.

The intramolluscan development of Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae in Ampullarium canaliculatus, a fresh-water migrant snail which multiplies in tremendous rate in Taiwan, was followed for 28 consecutive days in this study. The snails were infected with first stage larvae of A. cantonensis and groups of three snails were sacrificed daily to study various larval stages in different organs. A. cantonensis larvae were found in all snails examined. During the first four days, they were obtained only from the digestive tract. Mouth is thus suggested as the primary route of natural infection. The first molt was observed on the fifth day of infection, and the second molt, the 12th day. Molting occurred in almost all kinds of organs examined. Studies on tissue tropism showed that the predilection site of A. cantonensis in this freshwater snail was headfoot region. Relatively few larvae were found in visceral organs including liver, heart, and ovary. Most parasites, 62.1%, recovered on the 28th day of infection were third-stage larvae.

Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in Ampullarius canaliculatus (Lamarck) in Kyushu, Japan.

Ampullarius canaliculatus is a large fresh-water snail of which the original habitat is said to be Argentina. Recently, the snail which grew wild has propagated in various parts of Japan, and is causing damage to aquatic plants by feeding on them. The present study was performed to find out whether the snail can be a suitable intermediate host for Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Natural infection with A. cantonensis was confirmed in the snails collected from 5 different places in 4 hamlets in Okinawa and in those from Ishigaki Island. All snails experimentally infected with first-stage larvae of the parasite showed second-stage and third-stage larvae developing at the time of examination later on. Thus, A. canaliculatus is a suitable intermediate host for A. cantonensis, and, if eaten raw, it can be a potential source of human infection with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in the endemic areas.

Técnica para recobrar larvas de Angiostrongylus cantonensis de moluscos / Technique for recovering larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis from molluscs

Se establece una nueva técnica más económica y sensilla que la tradicional empleada por Wallace y Rosen para la obtención de larvas de segundo y tercer estadios de A. cantonensis a partir de moluscos infestados

Angiostrongilosis abdominal: primer caso humano encontrado en Argentina / Abdominal angiostrongylosis: first human case reported in Argentina

Se describe el primer enfermo de angiostrongilosis abdominal en Argentina, haciendo referencia al desarrollo de la enfermedad y concediéndose gran importancia a la fisiopatogenia y, en base de ésta, al aporte de una nueva concepción terapéutica

ELISA testing in cases of clinical angiostrongyliasis in Thailand.

The sera from 116 Thais admitted to Nakhon Ratchasima hospital in northeastern Thailand with eosinophilic meningitis were tested for antibodies to Angiostrongylus cantonensis by ELISA. Ninety-six percent of the sera were considered positive with ELISA values exceptionally high for most patients. The clinical aspects of the disease are also presented. The ELISA test is considered to be of value in the diagnosis of the disease but tests for the antigen would provide a more definitive diagnosis.

Induction of protective immunity against infection by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rats.

Attempts were made to induce acquired immunity against Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection by immunizing rats with somatic (L3S) and metabolic (L3ES) antigens from third-stage larvae and with somatic antigen from adult female worms (FACE) via either a combined intraperitoneal and oral (IP-OR-OR) or subcutaneous (SC-SC-SC) route. The most effective mean in inducing protection was the administration of L3S by the IP-OR-OR route, as judged from reduced mortality, prolonged survival periods and/or reduced worm burdens. Such a protocol reduced mortality to below 20% of the unimmunized controls. The worm burden of the L3S-immunized rats was only about 25% of the control value and the survival period was at least double. However, judging from gross morphology, the absence of stunted growth and unimpaired ficundity of the worms that developed into adult stage, it appears that those worms that survived had normal development. The latter observation is in contrast to that noted with FACE immunization which seemed to affect also the growth and development of worms that survived into adult stage.

Analysis of antigens from different developmental stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

Protein profiles of somatic extracts from different developmental stages and excretory and secretory products of third-state larvae of Angiostrongylus cantonensis were analyzed and characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate under both reduced and unreduced conditions. Immunological identification of common and stage-specific antigens was determined by radioimmunoprecipitation using chronically infected rat serum and antisera from rats immunized with somatic extracts of third-stage larvae and adult female worms. The somatic extracts of first-and third-stage larvae and of adult worms were found to be highly complex, each consisting of more than 20 different peptides with molecular weights varying from higher than 130,000 to 8,200 daltons. Most proteins were composed of single polypeptide chains. Polypeptides with molecular weights of 80,000, 39,500 and 22,000 daltons were present in more than one developmental stages and were antigenically related. Those with molecular weight of 15,500 dalton, was present primarily in L3S and its possible usefulness in immunodiagnosis of infection that occurs in man was discussed.

The biology of Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae in immune rats.

Rats acquired protective immunity to Angiostrongylus cantonensis after a single infection with 50 infective larvae. Immunity was stronger after subsequent infections. Fewer worms were recovered which were shorter and produced fewer progeny after secondary and tertiary infections. However, the growth of A. cantonensis during the early developmental stages in the brain and the ability of the young adult parasites to migrate to the lungs was not affected in the immune host.