New morphological data of Litomosoides chagasfilhoi (Nematoda: Filarioidea) parasitizing Nectomys squamipes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Novos dados morfológicos de Litomosoides chagasfilhoi (Nematoda: Filarioidea): parasitando Nectomys squamipes no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract Litomosoides chagasfilhoi, originally described by Moraes Neto, Lanfredi & De Souza (1997) parasitizing the abdominal cavity of the wild rodent, Akodon cursor (Winge, 1887), was found in the abdominal cavity of Nectomys squamipes (Brants, 1827), from the municipality of Rio Bonito, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. This study led to addition of new morphological data and a new geographical distribution for this filarioid in Brazil. Several characters were detailed and emended to previous records of L. chagasfilhoi in N. squamipes, and confirming the original description in A. cursor: buccal capsule longer than wide with walls thinner than the lumen, right spicule slightly sclerotized, with membranous distal extremity slender, with a small tongue-like terminal portion, left spicule with handle longer than the blade, whose edges form large membranous wings folded longitudinally.

Resumo Litomosoides chagasfilhoi, originalmente descrito por Moraes Neto, Lanfredi & De Souza (1997) parasitando a cavidade abdominal do roedor silvestre Akodon cursor (Winge, 1887), foi encontrado na cavidade abdominal de Nectomys squamipes (Brants, 1827), no município de Rio Bonito, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Este estudo propiciou a adição de novos dados morfológicos e uma nova distribuição geográfica deste filarídeo no Brasil. Vários caracteres foram detalhados e adicionados ao registro anterior de L. chagasfilhoi em N. squamipes, e confirmando a descrição original em A. cursor: cápsula bucal mais alta do que larga com paredes mais finas que o lúmen, espículo direito ligeiramente esclerotizado, com extremidade distal membranosa mais estreita, com uma pequena porção terminal em forma de língua, espículo esquerdo com cabo mais longo do que a lâmina, cujas bordas formam grandes asas membranosas dobradas longitudinalmente.

Aspectos anatomopatológicos do parasitismo por nematódeos da superfamília filarioidea em capivaras (hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) de vida livre no Centro-Oeste brasileiro / Anatomic pathology aspects of the parasitism by cruorifilaria tuberocauda in capybaras (hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in midwestern Brazil

São descritos dois casos de parasitismo por Cruorifilaria tuberocauda em capivaras de vida livre no Distrito Federal, Brasil. Macroscopicamente, observou-se nas superfícies de corte dos rins espessamento acentuado de vasos das regiões cortical e córtico-medular. Microscopicamente, havia arterite proliferativa e granulomatosa acentuada associada a filarídeos intralesionais consistentes com Cruorifilaria tuberocauda. Esse é o primeiro relato do parasitismo por esse filarídeo em capivaras no Distrito Federal.

This report describes two cases of parasitism by Cruorifilaria tuberocauda in wild capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) from Distrito Federal, Brazil. Grossly, there was marked thickening of vessels wall of the cortical and corticomedullary regions of both kidneys. Microscopically, there was severe proliferative and granulomatous arteritis associated with intralesional filarids, consistent with Cruorifilaria tuberocauda. For the first time this filarid is reported parasitizing capybaras in Distrito Federal, Brazil.

Arthropod-Borne Onchocerciasis: is it deserved to be neglected?

Onchocerciasis a filarial parasitic nematode, also known as river blindness and Robles disease, is a neglected tropical disease infecting more than 18 million people mainly in subSaharan of Africa, the Middle East, South and Central America and many other countries. Disease infectivity initiates from Onchocerca volvulus [Filarioidea: Onchocercidae] transmitted by the blackfly, Simulium sp. which introduces the infective stage larva with its saliva into the skin. Within human body, adult females [macrofilaria] produce thousands of larvae [microfilariae] which migrate in skin and eye. Infection results in severe visual impairment or blindness for about 2 million, as being the world's second-leading cause of blindness after trachoma, as well as skin onchocercomata

Immunoprophylactic potential of filarial glutathione-s-transferase in lymphatic filariaisis

OBJECTIVE@#To elucidates the immunoprophylactic potential of glutathion-s-transferase (GST) from cattle filarial parasite Setaria digitata (S. digitata) against lymphatic filariasis.@*METHODS@#GST was purified through affinity chromatography (SdGST) and chacterized by SDS-PAGE and Nano-LC MS/MS analysis. Antibody isotypes to SdGST were measured by ELISA. Antibody dependant cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was performed in vitro using sera from immunized animals and immune individuals. T-cell proliferation and cytokine response to SdGST in different groups of filariasis were measured. Immunoprophylactic potential of SdGST was evaluate in animal model.@*RESULTS@#SdGST exhibited 30-fold enhancement of enzyme activity over crude parasitic extract. It was found to be 26 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Nano LC-MS/MS analysis followed by blast search showed 100% homology with Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) and only 43% with Homo sapiens (H. sapiens). Immunoblotting analysis showed putatively immune individuals carry significant level of antibodies to SdGST as compared with microfilaraemics. Immunized sera and sera endemic normal could neutralize the enzymatic activity of SdGST and inducing in vitro cytotoxicity of microfilariae. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from endemic normals upon stimulation with SdGST showed a mixed type of Th1/Th2 response. SdGST immunization clear microfilariae from circulation in S. digitata implanted mastomys.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The heterologous GST could be potentially developed as a vaccine candidate against lymphatic filarial parasite.

A review of neglected tropical diseases: filariasis

Filariasis is result of parasitic infection caused by three specific kinds of round worm. Lymphatic filariasis is found in under developed region of South America, Central Africa, pacific and Caribbian. It has been found for centuries, with main symptoms as elephant like swelling of the arms, legs and genitals. It is estimate that 120 millions peoples in the world have lymphatic filariasis. The spread of diseases and the challenge encountered in its management are discussed along with a review on drugs against filariasis in this article. Detail on clinical effect of drugs on the infection, safety profile, status in clinical practices and drug resistances are also covered.

Antifilarial activity of Caesalpinia bonducella against experimental filarial infections.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Lymphatic filariasis is a disabling disease that continues to cripple population in tropical countries. Currently available antifilarial drugs are not able to control the disease. Therefore, a better antifilarial is urgently required for proper management of the disease. We undertook this study to assess the antifilarial activity of Caesalpinia bonducella-seed kernel against rodent filarial parasite in experimental model. METHODS: Microfilaraemic cotton rats and Mastomys coucha harbouring Litomosoides sigmodontis and Brugia malayi respectively, were treated with crude extract or fractions of the seed kernel C. bonducella through oral route for 5 consecutive days. Microfilaricidal, macrofilaricidal and female worm sterilizing efficacy was assessed. RESULTS: Crude extract showed gradual fall in microfilariae (mf) count in L. sigmodontis-cotton rat model from day 8 post-treatment attaining more than 95 per cent fall by the end of observation period. It also exhibited 96 per cent macrofilaricidal and 100 per cent female sterilizing efficacy. The butanol fraction F018 caused 73.7 per cent reduction in mf count and 82.5 per cent mortality in adult worms with 100 per cent female sterilization. The aqueous fraction F019 exerted more than 90 per cent microfilaricidal activity and 100 per cent worm sterilization. Two chromatographic fractions, F024 and F025 of hexane soluble fraction exhibited 64 and 95 per cent macrofilaricidal activity, respectively. Both the fractions caused gradual fall in microfilaraemia and 100 per cent worm sterilization. In B. malayi-M. coucha model F025 showed gradual reduction in microfilaraemia and caused 80 per cent sterilization of female parasites INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: In conclusion, C. bonducella- seed kernel extract and fractions showed microfilaricidal, macrofilaricidal and female-sterilizing efficacy against L. sigmodontis and microfilaricidal and female-sterilizing efficacy against B. malayi in animal models, indicating the potential of this plant in providing a lead for new antifilarial drug development.

Filarial granuloma in breast.

A case of filarial granuloma in breast in a 59-year-old female is reported. Adult worm was identified in a breast nodule.

Estefanofilariose em humanos: ocorrência e mecanismos de transmissão / Stephanofilariasis in humans: occurrence and transmission mechanisms

Descreve-se aqui o encontro do helminto Stephanofilaria spp., em dermatite nodular ulcerativa em seres humanos, sendo as ulceras pesquisadas de dimensões variadas e com alguns anos de existência. Acredita-se que, a presença desse parasita, que afeta diversas espécies de animais domésticos e silvestres, possa agravar o quadro com as lesões produzidas nos vasos venosos e linfáticos, reduzindo a circulação, retardando a cicatrização. O ciclo deste parasita no ser humano, também é descrito.

This work describes the occurrence of the helminth Stephanofilaria spp in ulcerative nodular dermatitis in humans. The ulcers observed presented a variety of sizes and some years of existence. It is believed that the presence of this parasite, which affects several domestic and wild animal species, may harm human health through lesions produced in venous and lymphatic vessels that reduce blood circulation and retard the healing process. The cycle of this parasite in humans is also described.

Microfilariae in fine needle aspirates: a report of 22 cases.

The objective of the study is to document the value of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of filariasis at all possible sites in both exfoliative cytologic material and fine needle aspirates. Both unguided and guided FNACs of all foci were studied over a period of two years between 1999 to 2000. Total 22 cases of filariasis were detected which included subcutaneous swellings(7), breast(3), thyroid(3), lymphnodes(3), effusions(3), cervical scrape(1), eyeball(1), sputum(1) and bronchial washing(1). In none of these cases was filariasis considered a diagnostic possibility. Cytologic smears showed eosinophils in 9 cases, oval ova and embryonated eggs in 2 cases. Microfilariae were associated with other diseases in 13 cases, including 6 cases of malignancy. Significant adherence of inflammatory cells and macrophages to microfilariae was present in 6 of the 22 cases. In endemic areas,filariasis should be considered one of the differential diagnosis of a swelling. Thus demonstration and identification of the parasite in cytologic smears played a significant role in the prompt recognition of the disease and institution of specific treatment, thus obviating the more severe manifestations of lymphatic frilariasis.

Breast filariasis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology--a case report.

We report a case of female who presented with a lump in the right breast. Fine needle aspiration cytology of lump revealed numerous adult filarial worms. Common habitat of the adult filarial worms is the lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes of limbs and their occurrence in breast is uncommon.

Caracterização citoquímica e imunocitoquímica da larva infectante (L3) de Wuchereria bancrofti (Nematoda: Filarioidea) / Cytochemical and immunocytochemical characterization of the third-stage larvae of Wuchereria bancrofti (Nematoda: Filarioidea)

Entre as doenças infecciosas, a filariose constitui um sério problema de saúde pública. Estima-se que aproximadamente 129 milhões de pessoas no mundo encontrem-se infectadas e que mais de 90 por cento destas infecções sejam causadas pela Wuchereria bancrofti. O parasita filarial W. bancrofti é extremamente hospedeiro-específico, e, devido a ausência de um modelo experimental e dificuldades com cultivo in vitro, existem poucos estudos a respeito da larva infectante de terceiro estádio. Neste trabalho várias técnicas citoquímicas foram utilizadas para analisar a larva infectante (L3) de Wuchereria bancrofti. Uma solução de tetróxido de ósmio com tampão imidazol foi empregada para a visualização de ácidos graxos insaturados. Um material altamente contrastado formando uma estrutura contínua foi observada na superfície da larva e sobre a epicutícula. Forte reação foi observada no esôfago e no material encontrado em seu interior. Carboidratos contendo grupos do tipo vic-glicol não foram observados na cutícula da larva L3 de W. bancrofti submetidas à técnica do Thiéry. Utilizando um painel de oito lectinas conjugadas a ouro, foi demonstrado que a cutícula exibe uma discreta marcação com todas as lectinas, indicando a presença de resíduos de N-acetil-D-glicosamina, N-acetil-galactosamina, D-galactose, D-manose e L-fucose. Sítios aniônicos de superfície foram visualizadas através da utilização de partículas de ferritina cationizada. O tratamento com tripsina inibiu parcialmente a reação, enquanto o tratamento com condroitinase ABC, uma enzima específica para gligosaminoglicanas, aboliu completamente a marcação com partículas catiônicas. Os resultados dos tratamentos com as enzimas indicam que condroitina-4, condroitina-6, sulfato de dermatano e ácido hialurônico assim como as cadeias laterais de proteoglicanas, provavelmente são os principais componentes carregados negativamente presentes na superfície da L3. Em uma segunda abordagem, técnicas imunocitoquímicas e bioquímicas foram empregadas para a detecção de uma proteína semelhante à albumina humana em larvas L3 de W. bancrofti, fêmeas adultas do parasita filarial Litomosoides chagasfilhoi e no nematóide de vida livre Caenorhabditis elegans...

Arthropod and filarioid parasites associated with wild rodents in the northeast marshes of Buenos Aires, Argentina

During 1995, 16 species of arthropods and 2 species of filarioids, totaling 1 287 specimens were collected from 64 wild rodents captured in the Hudson Natural Reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Infestation parameters and indexes were analyzed. Host specific richness was S = 6, diversity H = 1.48, and relative density RDI = 40 percent. High values of parasite species richness and diversity were found on Oligoryzomys delticola (S = 9; H = 1.40), Oxymycterus rufus (S = 9; H = 1.37), and Oligoryzomys flavescens (S = 9; H = 1.28), followed by Scapteromys aquaticus (S = 6; H = 0.17), and Akodon azarae (S = 4; H = 1.20). Deltamys kempi was infested only by Androlaelaps rotundus. O. delticola and O. flavescens showed the highest similarity index (O = 74.19 percent), followed by O. flavescens with S. aquaticus, as a result of historical processes and shared microhabitats. Considering arthropods-filarioids associations, significant affinity was observed in Litomosoides bonaerensis with Hoplopleura travassosi, Laelaps paulistanensis, and Gigantolaelaps wolffsohni

A morfologia do intestino médio de Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 e sua interação experimental com microfilária de Litomosoides chagasfilhoi Moraes Neto, Lanfredi e De Souza, 1997 e Wuchereria bancrofti (Cobbold, 1877) Seurat, 1921 / The midgut morphology of the Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 and its experimental interaction with microfilariae of Litomosoides chagasfilhoi Moraes Neto, Lanfredi and De Souza, 1997 and Wuchereria bancrofti (Cobbold, 1877) Seurat, 1921

Analisamos a morfologia do intestino médio do mosquito Culex quiquefasciatus de região endêmica e a sua interação com as microfilárias de Wuchereria bancrofti (agente da filariose humana) e de Litomosoides chagasfilhoi (agente de filariose de roedores). O intestino médio está dividido em regiões torácica e abdominal como visto em outras espécies de mosquitos. Porém, o intestino médio torácico é formado por dois tipos celulares: células principais e basais; e o intestino médio abdominal por três tipos: células principais clara e basais. Existe uma rede muscular organizar revestindo externamente o órgão, a qual sofre mudanças irreversíveis no intestino médio abdominal após o repasto sangüíneo. A estrutura da matriz peritrófica e a sua formação induzida pela alimentação sangüínea são distintas das demais espécies de mosquitos. O L. chagasfilhoi invade o intestino médio entre 1h e 3h após o repasto infectivo, enquanto que a W. bancrofti entre 30 minutos e 5 horas com o maior número de invasão nas primeiras 2horas. O L. chagasfilhoi preferencialmente invade o intestino médio abdominal enquanto que a W. bancrofti invade o intestino médio torácico, principalmente perto da região abdominal. Ambas espécies de microfilárias cruzam o intestino médio através do espaço intercelular, causando hipertrofia e extrusão de uma a duas células epiteliais. A perda da bainha pelas microfilárias de ambas espécies não é um pré-requisito para a evasão do intestino. Etapas subseqüentes do ciclo da W. bancrofti, tais como, a melanização na hemocele e a invasão precoce da musculatura de vôo foram também observadas. Não foi possível observar tais etapas nos mosquitos infectados com L. chagasfilhoi porque eles morreram poucas horas após a invasão do intestino médio. Estas diferenças no processo de interação das espécies de microfilárias provavelmente estão relacionados com a capacidade vetorial do mosquito.

Filariae in vertebral canal, report of a case / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To confirm diagnosis of a special case with chief complaints of abdominal pain and dyskinesia of lower extremities.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical symptoms, signs, MRI, pathological findings and the results of blood test for microfilaria were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patient was a 6-year old girl who had abdominal pain for 10 days dyskinesia of lower extremities for 6 days accompanied by difficulty in urination and defecation. There was tenderness on T7-9 spinous process, sensory dullness below the umbilicus. Babinski's and Oppenheim's sign were bilaterally positive, and ankle clonus was positive. MRI showed space occupying change in the vertebral canal at T7-9 level. The mass of 2 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm size was removed by surgical operation and histopathological study showed obvious fibrous tissue proliferation accompanied by eosinophil, lymphocyte and neutrophil infiltration around a worm-like structure. Night time blood test performed at 23:00 confirmed the presence of microfilaria.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The diagnosis of filariae in vertebral canal could be confirmed.</p>

Redescriçäo de Litomosoides brasiliensis Almeida, 1936 (Nematoda: Filariidae) parasito de Anoura caudifera (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) / Redescription of Litomosoides brasiliensis Almeida 1936 (Nematoda: Filariiidae) parasite of Anoura caudifera (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

The study of the surface topography added details regarding the disposition of male caudal papillae, spicules and area rugosa apart from vulva and oral aperture. The occurrence of this nematode in the state of Amapá represents a new geographical distribution

Pelecitus helicinus Railliet & Henry, 1910 (Filarioidea, Dirofilariinae) and other nematode parasites of Brazilian birds

We report Pelecitus helicinus Railliet & Henry, 1910 from 13 species of birds of 2 orders and 7 families, collected from the states of Säo Paulo and Mato Grosso, Brazil. All 13 constitute new host records for this nematode. In addition, we report the first record of Aprocta golvani Diaz-Ungria, 1963 from Brazil and Monasa nigrifrons (Bucconidae), as well as a number of other nematode records from Neotropical birds

Mass DEC campaign for filariasis in a hyper endemic district of West Bengal.

As a part of the on-going National Filaria Control Programme, National Filaria Day was observed in Purulia district of West Bengal on 26th Nov 2000 with an extensively organized mass DEC consumption campaign preceded by IEC activities and followed by mopping up operations. In all 81.07% of the targeted population was covered, females (84.3%) being more available than males (78.3%). Percentage of coverage declines with increase in age. Municipalities and notified areas had less coverage as well as supervised consumption than in other areas. Consumption was highest in Balarampur block (88.6%). Supervised consumption among surveyed population was highest in Bandwan (56.0%). Overall patient compliance was very good, with side effects of vomiting, dizziness, headache and fever being 2.12% only among surveyed population. Disease prevalence among population covered showed 0.1% hand swelling, 0.6 to 0.8% leg swelling, while 1.1% of males had hydrocele.

Natural infections with filarioidea nematodes in Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris in the floodplain of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

From 36 capybaras, slaughtered between 1989 and 1996, 11 young, less than 6 months old, and 25 adults, in the floodplain region of Mato Grosso do Sul, 570 Filarioidea nematodes were collected. Three hundred and ninety-four specimen of Cruorifilaria tuberocauda were collected from the renal arteries (380) and from pulmonary arteries (14) and 176 specimen of Yatesia hydrochoerus from the fasciae of skeleptical muscles, mainly from the obliquus externus abdominis region and from the internal faces of hind limbs