Evaluation of the reproductive profile of Subulina octona (Gastropoda, Subulinidae) experimentally infected by Paratanaisia bragai (Digenea, Eucotylidae) / Avaliação do perfil reprodutivo de Subulina octona (Gastropoda, Subulinidae) infectada experimentalmente por Paratanaisia bragai (Digenea, Eucotylidae)

Abstract Snails infected by trematodes may increase or decrease their reproductive activity in response to the presence of infection. Our aim was to verify the reproductive alterations in Subulina octona after infection by Paratanaisia bragai. The infected snails were individually exposed for 24 hours to 20 parasite eggs and four groups were formed (10, 20, 30 and 40 d.p.i.- days after infection), along with control groups. Every 10 days, the number of eggs in the reproductive tract, number of eggs hatched, galactogen content and histopathological changes were evaluated. The reproductive in the control and infected snails presented an alternating pattern, where periods of high production of eggs and newly hatched were followed by periods of low production. However, in relation to the amount of galactogen, both control and infected groups followed the same pattern of variation. In the histology, we observed the presence of male and female gametes with marked reduction in the number of oocytes. The results indicate that the intra-snail development of the parasite affects the reproductive biology of the host.

Resumo Moluscos infectados por trematódeos podem aumentar ou diminuir sua atividade reprodutiva em resposta à presença da infecção. Nosso objetivo foi verificar as alterações reprodutivas de Subulina octona após a infecção por Paratanaisia bragai. Os moluscos infectados foram individualmente expostos durante 24 horas a 20 ovos do parasito e quatro grupos foram formados (10, 20, 30 e 40 d.p.i. - dias pós infecção), com respectivos grupos controle. A cada 10 dias, o número de ovos no trato reprodutivo, o número de ovos eclodidos, o conteúdo de galactogênio e alterações histopatológicas eram avaliadas. O padrão reprodutivo nos moluscos controle e infectados evidenciou um comportamento alternante, nos quais períodos de alta produção de ovos e filhotes foram seguidos por períodos de baixa produção. No entanto, em relação ao conteúdo de galactogênio, moluscos controle e infectados seguiram o mesmo padrão de variação. Na histologia, observamos a presença de gametas masculinos e femininos com acentuada redução no número de óocitos. Os resultados indicam que o desenvolvimento intramolusco do parasito afeta a biologia reprodutiva do hospedeiro.

Distribution of cysts holding Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa metacercariae in tissues and organs of mugilid / Distribuição de cistos contendo metacercárias de Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa em tecidos e órgãos de mugilídeos

Abstract Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa is an etiological agent of human phagicolosis. Mugilids are the second intermediate host, the first being Heleobia australis, and mugilids predatory birds and mammals are its definitive hosts. The occurrence of cysts holding A. longa metacercariae is described in mugilids with a prevalence of up to 100%. The wide geographical distribution of A. longa and its intermediate hosts coupled with the rise in the consumption of raw or poorly cooked fish may elevate the risk of human infection. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to verify the distribution pattern of cysts holding A. longa in mugilids. The tissue and organ samples of these fish were processed in a domestic blender and examined under a stereoscopic microscope to identify the cysts holding the digenetic metacercariae. Of the 24 (100%) fish samples that were analyzed, 12 of Mugil curema and 12 of Mugil liza possessed cysts holding A. longa metacercariae. Digenetic cysts were identified to be present in the gills, heart, stomach, liver, intestines, mesentery, and muscular tissues collected from M. curema and M. liza. Conclusively, in M. curema, the cysts holding A. longa metacercariae were found to be distributed randomly throughout the fish body in almost every tissue and organ that was examined.

Resumo Ascocotyle (Phagicola) longa é o agente etiológico da fagicolose humana. Os mugilídeos são os segundos hospedeiros intermediários. O primeiro é Heleobia australis e pássaros e mamíferos predadores de mugilídeos, os hospedeiros definitivos. A ocorrência de cistos contendo metacercárias de A. longa é descrita em mugilídeos, com até 100% de prevalência. A ampla distribuição geográfica de A. longa e seus hospedeiros intermediários, acompanhado do aumento do consumo de peixe cru ou mal cozido, pode aumentar o risco de infecção humana, portanto o objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar o padrão de distribuição de cistos, contendo metacercárias de A. longa, em mugilídeos. Amostras de tecidos e órgãos desses peixes foram processadas em liquidificador doméstico e observadas em microscópio estereoscópico à procura de cistos contendo metacercárias do digenético. Todos os 24 (100%) mugilídeos, 12 Mugil curema e 12 Mugil liza examinados apresentaram cistos contendo metacercária de A. longa. Foram observados cistos do digenético nas brânquias, coração, estômago, fígado, intestino, mesentério e tecido muscular de M. curema e de M. liza. Em M. curema, os cistos contendo metacercárias de A. longa estão distribuídos de forma aleatória por praticamente todos os tecidos e órgãos dos mugilídeos examinados.

Infections with Digenetic Trematode Metacercariae in Freshwater Fishes from Two Visiting Sites of Migratory Birds in Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea

The infection status of digenetic trematode metacercariae (DTM) was investigated in fishes from 2 representative visiting sites of migratory birds in Gyeongsangnam-do, the Republic of Korea (Korea). A totaly 220 freshwater fishes (7 species) were collected from Junam-jeosuji (reservoir), and 127 fishes (7 species) were also collected from Woopo-neup (swamp) in June and October 2017. As the control group, total 312 fish (22 spp.) from Yangcheon in Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do were also collected in June and October 2017. All fishes collected in 3 sites were examined with the artificial digestion method. In the fishes from Junam-jeosuji, more than 4 species, i.e., Clonorchis sinensis, Echinostoma spp., Diplostomum spp. and Cyathocotyle orientalis, of DTM were detected and their endemicy was very low, 0.70. More than 6 species, i.e., C. sinensis, Echinostoma spp., Metorchis orientalis, Clinostomum complanatum, Diplostomum spp. and C. orientalis, of DTM were found in the fishes from Woopo-neup, and their endemicy was low, 5.16. In the fishes from Yangcheon, more than 8 species, i.e., C. sinensis, Metagonimus spp., Centrocestus armatus, C. complanatum, C. orientalis, M. orientalis, Echinostoma spp., and Diplostomum spp., of DTM were detected, and their endemicity was relatively high, 95.48. The percentages of avian trematode metacercariae (ATM) were 99.6% and 94.7% in fishes from Junam-jeosuji and Woopo-neup whereas it was 74.1% in the control site, Yangcheon. The above findings suggested that migratory birds partly affect in endemicity of DTM in the fish in the 2 visiting sites in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea.

Infection Status with Digenetic Trematode Metacercariae in Fishes from Coastal Lakes in Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea

The infection status of digenetic trematode metacercariae (DTM) was investigated in fishes from coastal lakes in Gangwon-do, the Republic of Korea (Korea). All fishes collected in 5 lakes were examined with the artificial digestion method. More than 10 species, i.e., Metagonimus spp., Pygidiopsis summa, Centrocestus armatus, Metorchis orientalis, M. taiwanensis, Clinostomum complanatum, Echinostoma spp., Stictodora spp., Diplostomum sp. and Diplostomid No. 1. by Morita (1960), of DTM were detected in fishes from 5 coastal lakes in Gangwon-do. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae were found in 52 (41.3%) out of 126 sea rundace, Tribolodon hakonensis, from 5 lakes, and their density was 14.6 per fish infected. P. summa metacercariae were detected in 48 (84.2%) out of 57 mullets from 5 lakes, and their density was 316 per fish infected. C. armatus metacercariae were detected in 7 (14.6%) T. hakonensis and 3 (15.0%) Tridentiger brevispinis from Hyang-ho, and 5 (19.2%) Acanthogobius flavimanus from Gyeongpo-ho. Stictodora spp. metacercariae were found in 4 fish species, i.e., Tridentiger obscurus, Tridentiger trigonocephalus, Chelon haematocheilus, and Acanthogobius lactipes, from Gyeongpo-ho. Total 15 C. complanatum metacercariae were detected in 2 (9.1%) crucian carp, Carassius auratus, from Songji-ho. M. taiwanensis metacercariae were found in T. hakonensis from Hyang-ho and Gyeongpo-ho and in Pseudorasbora parva from Gyeongpo-ho. Total 11 M. orientalis metacercariae were detected in 3 (6.3%) T. hakonensis from Hyang-ho. From the above results, it was confirmed that various species of DTM are infected in fishes from coastal lakes in Gangwon-do, Korea.

Evaluation of the reproductive profile of Subulina octona (Gastropoda, Subulinidae) experimentally infected by Paratanaisia bragai (Digenea, Eucotylidae)

Abstract Snails infected by trematodes may increase or decrease their reproductive activity in response to the presence of infection. Our aim was to verify the reproductive alterations in Subulina octona after infection by Paratanaisia bragai. The infected snails were individually exposed for 24 hours to 20 parasite eggs and four groups were formed (10, 20, 30 and 40 d.p.i.- days after infection), along with control groups. Every 10 days, the number of eggs in the reproductive tract, number of eggs hatched, galactogen content and histopathological changes were evaluated. The reproductive in the control and infected snails presented an alternating pattern, where periods of high production of eggs and newly hatched were followed by periods of low production. However, in relation to the amount of galactogen, both control and infected groups followed the same pattern of variation. In the histology, we observed the presence of male and female gametes with marked reduction in the number of oocytes. The results indicate that the intra-snail development of the parasite affects the reproductive biology of the host.

Resumo Moluscos infectados por trematódeos podem aumentar ou diminuir sua atividade reprodutiva em resposta à presença da infecção. Nosso objetivo foi verificar as alterações reprodutivas de Subulina octona após a infecção por Paratanaisia bragai. Os moluscos infectados foram individualmente expostos durante 24 horas a 20 ovos do parasito e quatro grupos foram formados (10, 20, 30 e 40 d.p.i. dias pós infecção), com respectivos grupos controle. A cada 10 dias, o número de ovos no trato reprodutivo, o número de ovos eclodidos, o conteúdo de galactogênio e alterações histopatológicas eram avaliadas. O padrão reprodutivo nos moluscos controle e infectados evidenciou um comportamento alternante, nos quais períodos de alta produção de ovos e filhotes foram seguidos por períodos de baixa produção. No entanto, em relação ao conteúdo de galactogênio, moluscos controle e infectados seguiram o mesmo padrão de variação. Na histologia, observamos a presença de gametas masculinos e femininos com acentuada redução no número de óocitos. Os resultados indicam que o desenvolvimento intramolusco do parasito afeta a biologia reprodutiva do hospedeiro.

Trematode Metacercariae in Freshwater Fish from Water Systems of Hantangang and Imjingang in Republic of Korea

The infection status of freshwater fish with digenetic trematode metacercariae was examined in water systems of Hantangang and Imjingang (River), the Republic of Korea. A total of 877 (594 from Hantangang and 283 from Imjingang) fishes were examined by the artificial digestion methods. Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae were detected in 7 (1.2%) fishes (in 3 spp.) from Hantangang in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, and 40 (14.1%) fishes (in 7 spp.) from Munsancheon in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do. The average densities were 1.9 and 35.6 per fish infected, respectively. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae were detected in 312 (52.5%) and 113 (39.9%) fishes from Hantangang and Imjingang, and their average densities were 47.5 and 9.6 per fish infected, respectively. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were found in 161 (27.1%) and 70 (24.7%) fishes from Hantangang and Imjingang, and their average number per fish infected was 694 and 82, respectively. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were detected in 50 (8.4%) and 94 (33.2%) fishes from Hantangang and Imjingang, and their average densities were 9.6 and 23.1 per fish infected, respectively. The infection status of fishes with metacercariae of Stephanoprora spp., Diplostomum spp., Clinostomum complanatum, Metorchis orientalis, and Metorchis taiwanensis were analyzed by surveyed regions. Conclusively, it was confirmed that C. sinensis metacercariae were quite commonly detected in fishes from Munsancheon but rarely from other localities, whereas the metacercariae of other digenetic trematodes were relatively prevalent in fishes from water systems of Hantangang and Imjingang in Korea.

A Case of Pharyngitis Caused by Clinostomum complanatum / 대한이비인후과학회지

A 13-year-old female patient visited the otolaryngology clinic with complaints of a moving foreign body sensation in her throat. The patient used to eat raw fish and she had eaten mullet sashimi a week before. During laryngoscopy for the pharynx and larynx, a motile fluke was found attached to the posterolateral nasopharyngeal wall. The worm was easily removed and identified as Clinostomum complanatum (C. complanatum) after morphological observation. C. complanatum is a digenetic trematode which usually infects fish-eating birds. Human infection by C. complanatum is very rare, and if a human eats infected raw fish, the worm can be on the pharyngeal or laryngeal mucosa. Human cases of parasitic C. complanatum infection have been reported twice in Korea, with the present report being the first case in the otolaryngology field.

Three new species of cercariae from Melanopsis praemorsa (L. 1758, Buccinum) snails in Al-Bathan fresh water body, Palestine

Objective: To investigate other new species of cercariae encountered in Melanopsis praemorsa (M. praemorsa) snails collected from Palestine. Methods: A total of 1 100 M. praemorsa were collected from Al-Bathan water body, Palestine, from November, 2010 to November, 2011. Cercariae in M. praemorsa were obtained by emerging and crushing methods. Results: Other three new different species of cercariae have been identified from this snail. These species were Xiphidiocercaria (Cercaria melanopsi palestinia IV), Microcercous (Cercaria melanopsi palestinia V) and Longifurcate cercaria (Cercaria melanopsi palestinia VI). The infection rate ofM. praemorsa with these three different cercariae was (42.2%). Coinfection with Xiphidiocercariae and Longifurcate cercariae or Xiphidiocercariae and Microcercous cercariae has been noted and coinfection rate was 1.23% among the infected snails. The highest cercarial infection rate was in June (64.3%). No infected snails were found in September. It was also noted that infected snails attained a larger size than uninfected ones and all infected snails had a size between 17-22 mm (average 20 mm). Conclusions: Our studies imply that there are potentially more new species of trematodes in this area than were found until now. Due to the presence of infected M. praemorsa and may be species of other snails, water resources could be contaminated by the emerging new cercariae, consequently attack the local people directly via the skin or are transferred to them by metacercariae ingestion. More surveys are needed to identify the real prevalence of the trematodes both in human and animal hosts, and also to determine the range of snail hosts of the parasite in enzootic areas of the disease, as well as the life cycle and biology of trematodes and its effects on man should be elucidated.

Larval stages of digenetic trematodes in Melanopsis praemorsa snails from freshwater bodies in Palestine

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the species of larval trematodes (cercariae) in Melanopsis praemorsa snails from 5 different fresh water bodies in Palestine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1 880 Melanopsis praemorsa snails were collected from different fresh water bodies in Palestine from October, 2008 to November, 2010. Cercariae in Melanopsis praemorsa snails were obtained by lighting and crushing methods. The behavior of cercariae was observed using a dissecting microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three different species of larval trematodes were identified from Melanopsis praemorsa snails collected only from Al-Bathan fresh water body, while snails from other water bodies were not infected. These species were microcercous cercaria, xiphidiocercaria and brevifurcate lophocercous cercaria. These cercariae called Cercaria melanopsi palestinia I, Cercaria melanopsi palestinia II and Cercaria melanopsi palestinia III have not been described before from this snail in Palestine. The infection rate of Melanopsis praemorsa collected from Al-Bathan fresh water body was 5.7%, while the overall infection rate of snails collected from all fresh water bodies was 4.3%. Details are presented on the morphology and behavior of the cercariae as well as their development within the snail.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results have been recorded for the first time and these cercariae may be of medical and veterinary importance.</p>

Larval stages of digenetic trematodes in Melanopsis praemorsa snails from freshwater bodies in Palestine

Objective: To detect the species of larval trematodes (cercariae) in Melanopsis praemorsa snails from 5 different fresh water bodies in Palestine. Methods: A total of 1 880 Melanopsis praemorsa snails were collected from different fresh water bodies in Palestine from October, 2008 to November, 2010. Cercariae in Melanopsis praemorsa snails were obtained by lighting and crushing methods. The behavior of cercariae was observed using a dissecting microscope. Results: Three different species of larval trematodes were identified from Melanopsis praemorsa snails collected only from Al-Bathan fresh water body, while snails from other water bodies were not infected. These species were microcercous cercaria, xiphidiocercaria and brevifurcate lophocercous cercaria. These cercariae called Cercaria melanopsi palestinia I, Cercaria melanopsi palestinia II and Cercaria melanopsi palestinia III have not been described before from this snail in Palestine. The infection rate of Melanopsis praemorsa collected from Al-Bathan fresh water body was 5.7%, while the overall infection rate of snails collected from all fresh water bodies was 4.3%. Details are presented on the morphology and behavior of the cercariae as well as their development within the snail. Conclusions: These results have been recorded for the first time and these cercariae may be of medical and veterinary importance.

The influence of parasitism on the relative condition factor ( Kn ) of Metynnis lippincottianus ( Characidae ) from two aquatic environments: the upper Parana river floodplain and Corvo and Guairacá rivers, Brazil / Influência do parasitismo sobre o fator de condição relativo (Kn) de Metynnis lippincottianus em dois ecossistemas aquáticos: planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná e rios Corvo e Guairacá, Brasil

The study analyzed 84 specimens of Metynnis lippincottianus (Cope, 1870) (Characidae) from two environments with different degrees of impact due to a hydroeletric plant; 44 hosts from the upper Parana river floodplain (low degree of impact) and 40 from Paranapanema tributaries (Corvo and Guairacá rivers, high degree of impact). The prevalence found, among the total collected fishes, was 77.4%. One digenetic species, Dadayus pacupeva, and four nematodes, Spinoxyuris oxydoras, Contracaecum sp. (larval stage), Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus and Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) mahnerti were identified. In the floodplain, the fishes parasitized by D. pacupeva and S. oxydoras presented better relative condition factor (Kn) than non-parasitized species. Positive correlation between Kn and abundance of these parasites was found in the same area. In the tributaries, the Kn did not differ significantly between parasitized an non-parasitized fishes, not even correlation with abundance of any parasite found.

Foram coletados 84 espécimes de Metynnis lippincottianus, peixe caracídeo, em dois ecossistemas com diferentes níveis de impacto, resultante da construção de usinas hidroelétricas; 44 hospedeiros na planície de inundação do alto rio Paraná (baixo impacto) e 40 nos tributários do rio Paranapanema (rios Corvo e Guairacá) com alto impacto. Foi encontrada prevalência parasitária de 77,4% no total de peixes coletados. Uma espécie de digenético: Dadayus pacupeva e quatro de nematoides: Spinoxyuris oxydoras, Contracaecum sp. (estágio larval), Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) inopinatus e Raphidascaris (Sprentascaris) mahnerti foram identificadas. Na região da planície, os peixes parasitados por D. pacupeva e S. oxydoras apresentaram melhor fator de condição relativo (Kn) quando comparado aos não-parasitados. Verificou-se correlação positiva entre o Kn e a abundância dos parasitos citados anteriormente na mesma região. Nos tributários, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre o Kn dos peixes parasitados e não-parasitados, nem correlação do mesmo com a abundância de nenhum parasito encontrado.

Metacercárias livres (Digenea: Diplostomidae) em Rhinella fernandezae (Anura: Bufonidae) no Sul do Brasil / Free metacercariae (Digenea, Diplostomidae) in Rhinella fernandezae (Anura: Bufonidae) in southern Brazil

Metacercárias livres de uma espécie não determinada de trematódeo digenético (Diplostomidae) foram encontradas nos rins de anuros da espécie Rhinella fernandezae coletados no Município de Imbé, Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Em uma amostra de 90 anuros, as metacercárias apresentaram prevalência de 3,3 por cento e intensidade de infecção de 8,7 helmintos/hospedeiro. Este é o primeiro registro de metacercárias livres de diplostomídeos em anuros da região Sul do Brasil e do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul.

Free metacercariae of an undetermined species of digenetic (Diplostomidae) were found over in the kidneys of anurans of the species Rhinella fernandezae collected in the in the municipality of Imbé, on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. In a sample of 90 anurans, the prevalence of free metacercariae was 3,3, and the mean intensity of infection was 8,7 helminths/host. This is the first record of free metacercariae in anurans from Southern Brazil and from the State of Rio Grande do Sul.

A new species of Microphallus (Trematoda: Microphallidae) from Venezuela

During 1997-1999, a total of 94 crabs, Uca rapax were collected from La Sabana, La Ceiba and El Paujil, Sucre State, Venezuela. Of these 36 were infected with metacercariae. Two parasites were located in the abdominal muscles and one under the tissue of carapace and gonad. These metacercariae grew to adults in the following genera: Levinseniella, Microphallus and Maritrema, in the period of 2-5 days after feeding experimentally to the rat Rattus norvegicus, mice Mus musculus and duck Cairinia moschata. Specimens of the genus Microphallus were described herein as a new species M. sabanensis. The life cycle of M. sabanensis sp.nov. were studied experimentally using rat, mice and duck. All developmental stages and the adult are described. In addition, M. sabanensis was collected from wild birds Anas discors, Pluvialis squatarola, Butorides striatus, Egretta caerulea and Nycticorax violaceus from the same localities.