First record of Hysterothylacium sp. Moravec, Kohn et Fernandes, 1993 larvae (Nematoda: Anisakidae) infecting the ornamental fish Hyphessobrycon eques Steindachner, 1882 (Characiformes, Characidae) / Primeiro registro de larvas de Hysterothylaciumsp. Moravec, Kohn et Fernandes, 1993 (Nematoda: Anisakidae) infectando o peixe ornamental Hyphessobrycon eques Steindachner, 1882 (Characiformes, Characidae)

AbstractThis study reports for the first time infection with Hysterothylacium sp. larvae in the ornamental fish Hyphessobrycon eques from the Paranapanema River, Jurumirim Reservoir, São Paulo State, Brazil. A sample of 33 specimens of H. eques was collected in October, 2011. Four specimens of H. eques were parasitized by Hysterothylacium sp. larvae in the intestine and coelomic cavity, with prevalence of 12.1%, mean intensity of infection of 1, and mean abundance of 0.121 ± 0.05. A total of 40 unidentified free-living nematodes were found in the stomach content of 17 fish. This fish species is introduced in the Paranapanema River. Invasive species may affect the native fauna given the introduction of pathogens and parasites. This study also complements data on the diet of H. eques due to the records of free-living nematode as part of the stomach content. Infections with Hysterothylacium sp. larvae may affect the biology of this fish and bring about profit losses to aquarists.

ResumoEste estudo reporta pela primeira vez infecção com larva de Hysterothylacium sp. no peixe ornamental Hyphessobrycon eques do rio Paranapanema, reservatório de Jurumirim, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Uma amostra de 33 spécimens de H. eques foi coletada em Outubro de 2011. Quatro espécimes de H. eques estavam parasitados por larva de Hysterothylacium sp. no intestino de cavidade celomática, com prevalência baixa de 12,1%, intensidade média de infecção de 1 e abundância média de 0,121 ± 0,05. Um total de 40 nematóides livres não identificados foi encontrado no conteúdo estomacal de 17 peixes. Esta espécie de peixe é introduzida no rio Paranapanema. Espécies invasoras podem afetar a fauna nativa dada a introdução de patógenos e parasitas. Este estudo também complementa os dados de alimentação de H. eques devido os registros de nematoides de vida livre como parte do conteúdo estomacal. Infecções com larva de Hysterothylacium sp. afetam a biologia deste peixe e pode ocasionar prejuízos para aquaristas.

Morphological and molecular diagnosis of Pseudoterranova decipiens (sensu stricto) (Anisakidae) in imported cod sold in Brazil / Diagnose morfológica e molecular de Pseudoterranova decipiens (sensu stricto) (Anisakidae) em bacalhau importado vendido no Brasil

An anisakid nematode larva found in cod sold in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil was studied by light and scanning electron microscopy and by a molecular approach. Mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase subunit 2 (mtDNA cox-2), 28S rRNA and ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2 regions were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced to evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of the larva. The genetic profile confirmed that this larva belongs to the species Pseudoterranova decipiens (sensu stricto). This is the first molecular and ultrastructural study of Pseudoterranova decipiens (sensu stricto) in imported cod sold in Brazil. The health implications of these findings are discussed.

Uma larva de Nematoda anisakídeo encontrada em bacalhau comercializado no Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil foi estudada por microscopias de luz e eletrônica de varredura e por uma abordagem molecular. As regiões da subunidade 2 da citocromo c-oxidase mitocondrial (mtDNA cox-2), 28S rRNA e ITS1, 5.8S e ITS2 foram amplificadas usando a reação em cadeia da polimerase e sequenciadas para avaliar as relações filogenéticas da larva. O perfil genético confirmou que esta larva pertence à espécie Pseudoterranova decipiens (sensu stricto). Esse é o primeiro estudo molecular e ultraestrutural de Pseudoterranova decipiens (sensu stricto) de bacalhau importado vendido no Brasil. As implicações destes resultados para a saúde são discutidas.

Concurrent Capillaria and Heterakis Infections in Zoo Rock Partridges, Alectoris graeca

Two adult rock partridges raised in a city zoo were examined parasitologically and pathologically. Two distinctive eggs resembling those of Capillaria and Heterakis were detected in the feces. At necropsy, a markedly-dilated duodenum with severe catarrhal exudates, containing adult worms of Capillaria sp. and Heterakis sp. in the cecum, was observed. Male Capillaria had the cloacal aperture extended almost terminally with a small bursal lobe and an unsheathed spicule with transverse folds without spines. Female Capillaria had a vulva that was slightly prominent and slightly posterior to the union of the esophagus and intestine. The esophagus of the adult Capillaria was more than a half as long as the body in the male, but was much shorter in the female. Based on these morphological features, the capillarid nematode was identified as Capillaria obsignata. The male adult worms of Heterakis was identifiable by 2 dissimilar spicules, a unique morphological feature where the right spicule was considerably longer than the left, which is also a characteristic feature of Heterakis gallinarum. This is the first report of concurrent infections with C. obsignata and H. gallinarium in rock partridges.

Experimental lagochilascariosis in X-chromosome-linked immunodeficient mice / Lagochilascariose experimental em camundongos com imunodeficiência ligada ao cromossomo X

Lagochilascaris minor is the etiological agent of lagochilascariosis, a disease that affects the neck region and causes exudative abscesses, with eggs, adult parasites and L3/L4 larvae in the purulent exudates. Mice are now considered to be intermediate hosts for the parasite. To determine the pattern of infection in B1 cell-deficient mice, experimental lagochilascariosis was studied in BALB/c and X-chromosome-linked immunodeficient (xid) mice. BALB.xid-infected mice showed lower numbers of larvae. Third-stage larvae, fourth-stage larvae and adult parasites were found in both strains. BALB/c mice produced IgM, IgG, IgA and IgE against the crude extract and secreted/excreted antigens of the parasite. On the other hand, BALB.xid mice did not produce IgM and produced lower levels of IgG and IgA, and similar quantities of IgE.

Lagochilascaris minor é o agente etiológico da lagochilascariose, uma doença que afeta a região de pescoço provocando abscessos exudativos contendo ovos, parasitas adultos e larvas L3/L4 nos exudates purulentos. Atualmente, camundongos são considerados hospedeiros intermediários do parasita. Para determinar o padrão de infecção em camundongos deficientes de células B1, a lagochilascariose experimental foi estudada em camundongos BALB/c e em camundongos com imunodeficiência ligada ao cromossomo X (xid). Camundongos BALB.xid infectados mostraram menor número de larvas. Larvas L3, L4 e parasitas adultos foram encontrados em ambas as linhagens. Camundongos BALB/c produziram IgM, IgG, IgA e IgE contra o extrato bruto e antígenos secretados/excretados do parasita; por outro lado, camundongos BALB.xid não produziram IgM, produziram baixos níveis de IgG e IgA, e quantidades semelhantes de IgE.

Lagochilascariasis leading to severe involvement of ocular globes, ears and meninges / Infecção humana por Lagochilascaris minor com envolvimento ocular, auditivo e das meninges

A case report of a 31 year-old woman from Paraíba State (North-Eastern Brazil) that presented severe involvement of ocular globes, ears and meninges. Diagnosis was established after enucleation of her left eye, when adult worms were seen in the midst of a granulomatous inflammatory process. Her response to the initial treatment with levamisole and cambendazole was good, but there was a relapse after the fifth month of treatment even with maintenance doses of both medications. She later received ivermectin and albendazol and responded well.

Paciente do sexo feminino, com 31 anos, procedente da Paraíba, apresentava envolvimento severo de ambos os globos oculares, com perda da visão à esquerda, comprometimento da audição e das meninges. Após enucleação do olho esquerdo fragmento de helminto identificado como Lagochilascaris minor foi observado em processo inflamatório granulomatoso. Inicialmente a paciente foi tratada com levamisol e cambendazol, com bom resultado. Verificou-se, todavia, piora do quadro após cinco meses, com eliminação de larvas do ascarídeo em lesão presente na órbita esquerda, embora a medicação fosse mantida com administração periódica. Houve boa resposta terapêutica, com regressão do quadro, após substituição dos anti-helmínticos anteriores pela associação ivermectina e albendazol.

Human infection by Pseudoterranova decipiens (Nematoda, Anisakidae) in Chile: report of seven cases

From 1997 to 1999, we identified seven human cases of infection by fourth stage larvae of Pseudoterranova decipiens in Chile. All identified larvae were coughed up by the patients. Subjects were 10-55 years old; five were female. Some patients complained of coughing, expectoration, pharyngeal pain, nausea or anal and nasal pruritus. Larvae of three patients were coughed up from 36 h to 7 days after having eaten raw (cebiche or sushi) or lightly fried fish. P. decipiens has a marine life cycle. Infective third stage larva develop to adult stage in pinniped mammals. The nematode eggs are voided with the host faeces and develop and hatch releasing third stage larvae. Some crustaceans and fish act as hosts of third stage larvae. Man is an accidental host for third or fourth stage larvae