Group 3 innate lymphoid cells regulate neutrophil migration and function in human decidua.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) have a central role in innate defenses against pathogens, lymphoid organogenesis, and tissue remodeling. They have been detected in human decidua, however, their role in this tissue remains unclear. Successful pregnancy requires an early inflammatory phase favoring implantation and tissue remodeling as well as a subsequent regulatory phase to prevent fetal rejection and supporting neoangiogenesis. Here, we show that, during the first trimester of pregnancy, neutrophils infiltrate decidua basalis and are more abundant in normal pregnancy than in spontaneous miscarriages. Decidual neutrophils localize in proximity of NCR+ILC3, which may influence neutrophil migration and survival given their production of CXCL8 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Moreover, NCR+ILC3-derived GM-CSF was found to induce the expression of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor and IL1ra in neutrophils, two proteins/cytokines involved in tissue remodeling and maintenance of pregnancy. Our data suggest that the simultaneous presence of NCR+ILC3 and neutrophils in decidual tissues and their possible cross talk, may have a role in the early phases of pregnancy.

Internalization via Antennapedia protein transduction domain of an scFv antibody toward c-Myc protein.

We constructed a single-chain variable fragment miniantibody (G11-scFv) directed toward the transactivation domain of c-Myc, which is fused with the internalization domain Int of Antennapedia at its carboxyl terminus (a cargo-carrier construct). In ELISA experiments, an EC(50) for binding saturation was achieved at concentrations of G11-scFv-Int(-) of approximately 10(-8) M. Internalization of a fluoresceinated Fl-G11-scFv-Int(+) construct was observed in intact human cultured cells with confocal microscopy. After 5 h of incubation in medium containing 1 microM Fl-G11-scFv-Int(+) or Fl-G11-scFv-Int(-), fluorescence intensity was determined in individual cells, both for cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments: concentration levels of Fl-G11-scFv-Int(+), relative to the extracellular culture medium concentration, were 4-5 times higher in the cytoplasm, 7-8 times higher in the nucleus, and 10 times higher in the nucleoli. In the same experimental conditions, the Fl-G11-scFv-Int(-) construct was 3-4 times more concentrated outside of the cells than inside. Cell membranes kept their integrity after 5 h of incubation. The antiproliferative activity of our miniantibody was studied on HCT116 cells. Incubation with 4 microM G11-scFv-Int(+) for 4 days induced very significant statistical and biological growth inhibition, whereas Int alone was completely inactive. Miniantibodies capable of penetrating cell membranes dramatically broaden the potential for innovative therapeutic agents and attack of new targets.

Prevalence and genotyping of human isolates of Giardia duodenalis from Albania.

Microscopical and PCR-based techniques were performed in order to investigate the prevalence of infection and the genotypes of Giardia duodenalis from 125 stool samples collected from children living in the urban and the rural areas of Tirana (Albania) and hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. 7 out of 125 samples resulted positive for Giardia at the microscopic examination (5.6%). In 50 selected samples including the 7 samples positive for Giardia by microscopy, 3 and 15 additional positive samples were detected by immunofluorescence and PCR, respectively. Seasonality appeared as an important parameter to be evaluated in order to better understand the prevalence of infection. Sequence analysis revealed both human Assemblage A and B. This result represents the first data on G. duodenalis genotypes in Albania.

Circulating anti-actin and anti-ATP synthase antibodies identify a sub-set of patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (iNS) with resistance or dependence to steroids is a common disease in children but in spite of an increasing clinical impact its pathogenesis is unknown. We screened for the presence of circulating antibodies against glomerular (podocytes, mesangium) and tubular cells (tubular epithelia) a cohort of 60 children with iNS including 8 patients with a familial trait of iNS or with proven mutation of NPHS1-NPHS2 and 12 with good sensitivity to steroids. Positive sera were found in 8 cases, all belonging to the category without familial trait/molecular defects. The targets of antibodies were characterized with Western blot and MALDI-Mass utilizing beta-hexyl cell extracts separated with two-dimensional electrophoresis. In all cases antibodies of the IgM class were directed against ATP synthase beta chain alone (4 cases) or in combination with actin (3 cases); one child presented IgG against aldose reductase. The clinical picture was nephrotic syndrome with steroid resistance or dependence and variable cyclosporin sensitivity; 3 patients developed end stage renal failure. The basic pathology picture was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 4 cases and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephrites with deposition of IgM in 2. Overall, patients with circulating auto-antibodies could not be readely differentiated on clinical grounds with the exception of 3 children who developed positivity for antinuclear antibodies during the follow-up. Affinity-purified IgM from one patient who underwent plasmapheresis for therapeutical pourposes (but not from a normal pool) induced proteinuria in Sprague-Dawley rats and concomitant human IgM deposition within glomeruli. This is the first report of circulating anti-actin/ATP synthase beta chain antibodies in a subset of patients with iNS. Both pathological significance and clinical impact given by the presence of these antibodies and the relationship with other conditions such as lupus-erythematosus, characterized by their presence, must be defined.

Sequence specific peptidomimetic molecules inhibitors of a protein-protein interaction at the helix 1 level of c-Myc.

Our work is focused in the broad area of strategies and efforts to inhibit protein-protein interactions. The possible strategies in this field are definitely much more varied than in the case of ATP-pocket inhibitors. In our previous work (10), we reported that a retro-inverso (RI) form of Helix1 (H1) of c-Myc, linked to an RI-internalization sequence arising from the third alpha-helix of Antennapedia (Int) was endowed with an antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity toward the cancer cell lines MCF-7 and HCT-116. The activity apparently was dependent upon the presence of the Myc motif. In this work, by ala-scan mapping of the H1 portion of our molecules with D-aa, we found two amino acids necessary for antiproliferative activity: D-Lys in 4 and D-Arg in 5 (numbers refer to L-forms). In the natural hetero-dimer, these two side chains project to the outside of the four alpha-helix bundle. Moreover, we were able to obtain three peptides more active than the original lead. They strongly reduced cell proliferation and survival (RI-Int-VV-H1-E2A,S6A,F8A; RI-Int-VV-H1-S6A,F8A,R11A; RI-Int-VV-H1-S6A,F8A,Q13A): after 8 days at 10 muM total cell number was approximately 1% of the number of cells initially seeded. In these more potent molecules, the ablated side chains project to the inside in the corresponding natural four alpha-helix bundle. In the present work, we also investigated the behavior of our molecules at the biochemical level. Using both a circular dichroism (CD) and a fluorescence anisotropy approach, we noted that side chains projecting at the interior of the four alpha-helix bundle are needed for inducing the partial unfolding of Myc-H2, without an opening of the leucine zipper. Side chains projecting at the outside are not required for this biochemical effect. However, antiproliferative activity had the opposite requirements: side chains projecting at the outside of the bundle were essential, and, on the contrary, ablation of one side chain at a time projecting at the inside increased rather than decreased biological activity. We conclude that our active molecules probably interfere at the level of a protein-protein interaction between Myc-Max and a third protein of the transcription complex. Finally, CD and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data, plus dynamic simulations, suggest a prevalent random coil conformation of the H1 portion of our molecules, at least in diluted solutions. The introduction of a kink (substitution with proline in positions 5 or 7) led to an important reduction of biological activity. We have also synthesized a longer peptido-mimetic molecule (RI-Int-H1-S6A,F8A-loop-H2) with the intent of obtaining a wider zone of interaction and a stronger interference at the level of the higher-order structure (enhanceosome). RI-Int-H1-S6A,F8A-loop-H2 was less active rather than more active in respect to RI-Int-VV-H1-S6A,F8A, apparently because it has a clear bent to form a beta-sheet (CD and NMR data).

Helminth communities in eels Anguilla anguilla from Adriatic coastal lagoons in Italy.

The composition and diversity of the total and intestinal component and infra-communities were determined in eels Anguilla anguilla from three shallow lagoons on the Adriatic coast of Italy to determine whether the helminth communities would differ in composition and structure from those in eels from lagoons on the Tyrrhenian coast. The lagoons differed in respect of their management regimes and the extent of freshwater influx. Both freshwater and marine species of helminths were found in the eels in all three lagoons, but the freshwater component was richer in Valle Figheri. A suite of three digenean eel specialist species occurred in all three lagoons, of which any two members dominated each community. This conferred a high degree of similarity between the communities of the three lagoons. The same three species also dominated helminth communities in eels in lagoons along the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy, and compositional similarity levels were similar within and between western and eastern groups. Species richness was higher in the component communities of the eels of the Adriatic lagoons when compared to the Tyrrhenian ones, but diversity and dominance indices were of a similar order of magnitude and range. Intestinal helminth communities were richer and more diverse in two of the Adriatic lagoons because the proportion of eels with zero or one helminth species was, unusually, in the minority. It was nevertheless concluded that infracommunity structure was similar in eels from both western and eastern lagoons and that the hypothesis that it would differ in Adriatic lagoons could not be supported. The findings provide further evidence of the similarity in composition and structure of helminth communities in eels from coastal lagoons throughout Europe.

Epidemiological study of heterophyiasis among humans in an area of Egypt.

We aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection of heterophyiasis among inhabitants of El-Meaddeya, Egypt. A cross-sectional stool examination survey was performed on 430 randomly chosen households, comprising 2219 individuals. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 84.7%. Ascariosis was the most common (67.6%), followed by trichuriosis (49.7%) and heterophyiasis (33.8%). The prevalence and intensity of infection of heterophyiasis were most common in people 15-45 years, and greater in females than males. The highest intensity of infection was detected among fishermen. Intrafamilial aggregation of cases of heterophyiasis was identified.

Composition and diversity of helminth communities in eels anguilla anguilla in the river tiber: long-term changes and comparison with insular europe

Most studies of helminth communities in the European eel Anguilla anguilla have been undertaken in the British Isles, and there are very few analyses of community composition and structure from continental Europe. To fill this gap and test the hypothesis that helminth communities in freshwater eels in the British Isles are not typical of those of continental Europe, helminth communities of eels in the River Tiber below Rome were analysed by season using data collected in 1980 and new data from 1996. The intestinal helminth communities in the Tiber eels were species poor and characterized by low diversity. Most eels harboured one or no parasite species and communities were heavily dominated by the acanthocephalan Acanthocephalus clavula. Intestinal helminth infracommunity richness and diversity did not differ between seasons within a year or between the same seasons in 1980 and 1996, although some changes in composition were apparent. Intestinal infracommunities from Tiber eels were very similar in characteristics to those analysed from the British Isles, and their temporal changes also showed close similarities to those reported from rivers in the UK. It seems likely therefore that conclusions derived from British studies can be applied to helminth communities of eels on the continent.

Balloon angioplasty by vascular surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of arterial disease of the lower extremity is performed by radiologists, cardiologists, and some vascular surgeons. This retrospective review was performed to measure complications and success rates in patients with extensive occlusive disease treated by vascular surgeons. METHODS: Balloon angioplasties were performed on 336 vascular segments as a part of 239 lower extremity revascularization procedures in 200 patients between April 1990, and May 1996. Immediate technical success was determined by completion angiography, measurement of pressure gradients, or ankle brachial indices (ABI) within 30 days. Late technical success was determined by duplex imaging or ABI. Late clinical success was defined as relief of presenting symptoms. RESULTS: Indications for intervention included claudication (51%), limb threat (45%), and failing grafts (4%). Sixty-one percent of the endovascular procedures were performed open, and 39% were percutaneously performed. Stents were utilized at 17% of the angioplasty sites. Procedures involved angioplasty of multiple arterial sites in 117 cases (55%), angioplasty combined with open surgical bypass (endarterectomy or thrombectomy) in 65 cases (19%), and a combination of surgery with a second angioplasty in 43 (13%). Complications occurred in 9 cases (3%). There were 2 deaths within 30 days (0.5%). Immediate technical success was 93% (140 of 151) for all aortoiliac segments, 88% (75 of 85) for femoral segments, 92% (54 of 59) for popliteal, and 84% (21 of 25) for tibials. The late technical success was 81% (118 of 145) for aortoiliac segments, 67% (55 of 82) for femoral, 73% (41 of 56) for the popliteals, and 75% (18 of 24) for the tibial segments. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that balloon angioplasty can be performed effectively by vascular surgeons with a low complication rate in a population of patients where limb salvage was a significant indication for the procedure, and treatment often required the correction of multilevel disease.

Genetic and ecological data on the Anisakis simplex complex, with evidence for a new species (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea, Anisakidae).

Isozyme analysis at 24 loci was carried out on anisakid nematodes of the Anisakis simplex complex, recovered from various intermediate/paratenic (squid, fish) and definitive (marine mammals) hosts from various parts of the world. A number of samples were found to belong to A. simplex sensu stricto and Anisakis pegreffii, widely extending the geographic ranges and the number of hosts of these 2 species. In addition, a new distinct gene pool was detected, showing different alleles with respect to A. simplex s. str and A. pegreffii at 5 diagnostic loci (99% level). Samples with this gene pool were assigned to a new species, provisionally labeled A. simplex C. Reproductive isolation between A. simplex C and the other 2 Anisakis species was directly assessed by the lack of hybrid and recombinant genotypes in mixed samples from sympatric areas, i.e., Pacific Canada for A. simplex C+A. simplex s. str., South Africa and New Zealand for A. simplex C+A. pegreffii, even when such samples were recovered from the same individual host. Similar levels of genetic divergence were observed among the three species (DNei from 0.36 to 0.45). At the intraspecific level, Canadian Pacific and Austral populations of A. simplex C were found to be genetically rather differentiated from one another (average DNei = 0.08), contrasting with the remarkable genetic homogeneity detected within both A. simplex s. str. and A. pegreffii (average DNei about 0.01). Accordingly, a lower amount of gene flow was estimated within A. simplex C (Nm = 1.6) than within the other 2 species (Nm = 5.4 and 17.7, respectively). Anisakis simplex C showed the highest average values of genetic variability with respect to both A. simplex s. str. and A. pegreffii, e.g., expected mean heterozygosity. Hr = 0.23, 0.16, and 0.11, respectively, in the 3 species. Data on geographic distribution and hosts of the 3 members so far detected in the A. simplex complex are given. Their ecological niche is markedly differentiated, with a low proportion of hosts shared. Intermediate and definitive hosts of A. simplex s. str. and A. pegreffii appear to belong to distinct food webs, benthodemersal, and pelagic, respectively; this would lead to different transmission pathways for the parasites.

Composition and structure of helminth communities in eels Anguilla anguilla from Italian coastal lagoons.

The composition and diversity of total and intestinal helminth component and infracommunities were determined in eels Anguilla anguilla from four shallow coastal lagoons near Rome. The lagoons differed principally in respect of their salinity. Only Lake Burano still received an input of freshwater, and both freshwater and marine helminth species were found in eels. In the other three lagoons all helminth species were marine or euryhaline and communities were dominated by digeneans. At component community level these three lagoons were far more similar to each other than to Lake Burano, but this distinction almost disappeared at infracommunity level. Species richness and diversity declined with increasing salinity at component community level but not at infracommunity level. Despite the changes and differences in helminth community composition, intestinal helminth infracommunity structure was very similar in all four lagoons and to that in eels from freshwater localities in Britain. The findings thus provide further and unexpected support for the view that some factor(s) other than supply side ones must be operating to produce the fundamental structural similarity in helminth communities in eels.

Two new members in the Contracaecum osculatum complex (Nematoda, Ascaridoidea) from the Antarctic.

The genetic structure of adults and larvae of Contracaecum osculatum (sensu lato) from the Antarctic is analyzed on the basis of 24 enzyme loci. Significant deviations of genotype frequencies from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found, even in samples recovered from the same host. These data indicate that two distinct, reproductively isolated species coexist in C. osculatum (sensu lato) samples from the Antarctic. They were provisionally designated C. osculatum D and E, as they do not correspond to any of the three species previously detected in this complex from the Atlantic Arctic Boreal region (C. osculatum A, B and C). An allozyme diagnostic key for the identification of the five members of the C. osculatum complex, at the larval and adult stage and in both sexes, is given. Species D and E were found to be genetically quite variable: average P99 = 84.3, A = 3.3 and He = 0.23. Both showed high values of intraspecific gene flow: Nm = 4.6 and 6.1 respectively; similar values were found for the Arctic-Boreal C. osculatum A, B and C. The most related members of the complex are the Antarctic species E and the Arctic-Boreal species A (DNei = 0.21), while the most differentiated ones are the Arctic-Boreal species B and C (DNei = 0.76). The evolutionary divergence of C. osculatum C started more than 3 million years ago, in a Pliocene refugium (Baltic Sea). As to the other C. osculatum species, their evolutionary divergence took place during Pleistocene, when this complex achieved a bipolar distribution. This process involved two distinct colonizations of the marine Antarctic region by ancestors of the northern hemisphere, about 1.5 and 1 million years ago, giving origin to C. osculatum D and E respectively.

Present occurrence of Anguillicola novaezelandiae (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea) in Europe and its development in the intermediate host.

An examination of a sample of European eels, Anguilla anguilla (L.), collected from Lake Bracciano near Rome in 1993, the only known European locality with the occurrence of the introduced swimbladder nematode Anguillicola novaezelandiae Moravec et Taraschewski, 1988, revealed for the first time the presence of two Anguillicola species, A. novaezelandiae and A. crassus. In view of the investigations carried out by current authors in Bracciano Lake in the years 1982-1992, it is apparent that the latter species has been introduced into the lake quite recently, where it quickly became a dominant species. The development of A. novaezelandiae was experimentally studied in the copepod intermediate host, Cyclops strenuus, for the first time. The copepods were infected with nematode second-stage larvae at 21-22 degrees C; fully developed infective third-stage larvae were obtained 13 days p.i. The general morphology of individual larval stages of A. novaezelandiae was similar to that of larvae of the related species A. crassus.

Three sibling species within Contracaecum osculatum (Nematoda, Ascaridida, Ascaridoidea) from the Atlantic Arctic-Boreal region: reproductive isolation and host preferences.

Genetic variation within and between population samples from 22 locations of the Atlantic Arctic-Boreal region, including 1657 specimens morphologically assigned to Contracaecum osculatum, was electrophoretically analysed at 17 loci. Highly significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found at various loci in several samples, owing to the existence of three distinct gene pools within C. osculatum (sensu lato) from the study area. These gene pools correspond to three biological species (provisionally designated A, B and C), characterized by distinct genotypes at several diagnostic loci. Reproductive isolation between C.osculatum A, B and C is confirmed by the lack of F1, recombinant, or backcross genotypes in sympatric areas, despite the occurrence of multiple infections. Mean heterozygosity per locus is on average 0.11 in species A, 0.10 in B and 0.07 in C. High levels of gene flow were found within each of the three species, the values of Nm (number of migrant individuals) ranging from 3.41 (C. osculatum C) to 5.77 (C. osculatum A). Average Nei's genetic distance is 0.46 between A and B, 0.50 between A and C and 0.77 between B and C. From these values, times of evolutionary divergence from 2 to 4 million years can be estimated. Genetic relationships among populations and species of the C. osculatum complex are illustrated by principal component analysis. The role of both geographical isolation and host preferences in the speciation of C. osculatum (sensu lato) is discussed. A morphological distinction of the three species has not yet been possible (sibling species). However, there is evidence that the name C. osculatum (sensu stricto) should be used for species C, which shows a geographical distribution and definitive host corresponding to the neotype of C. osculatum (sensu stricto). Finally, a comparison is made between the members of the C. osculatum complex from the Atlantic Arctic-Boreal region and those of the Pseudoterranova decipiens complex from the same area, as to: (i) times of evolutionary divergence, (ii) geographical distribution, and (iii) host preferences.

On some cestodes parasitizing freshwater fish in Italy.

The paper presents a systematic survey of some cestodes parasitizing freshwater fish in Italy. The following eight species were recorded: Monobothrium wageneri, Cyathocephalus truncatus, Triaenophorus nodulosus (plerocercoids and adults), Bothriocephalus acheilognathi, B. claviceps, Ligula intestinalis (plerocercoids), Schistocephalus sp. (plerocercoids) and Proteocephalus percae from Perca fluviatilis which is reported from freshwater fish in Italy for the first time. All the tapeworms recovered are described and figured.

Genetic evidence for three species within Pseudoterranova decipiens (Nematoda, Ascaridida, Ascaridoidea) in the North Atlantic and Norwegian and Barents Seas.

Genetic variation of 1017 specimens of codworm, Pseudoterranova decipiens, collected from fish and seals at 23 sampling locations in the North Atlantic and Norwegian and Barents Seas, was analysed on the basis of 16 enzyme loci. Three reproductively isolated species, provisionally designated P. decipiens A, B and C, were detected, showing distinct alleles at the following loci: Mdh-1, 6Pgdh, Np, Pgm, Est-2 (between species A and B); Mdh-3, 6Pgdh, Np, Sod-1, Adk, Pgm, Est-2, Mpi (between A and C); Mdh-1, Mdh-3, Sod-1, Adk, Pgm, Est-2, Mpi (between B and C). One F1 hybrid was observed between P. decipiens A and B, but this apparently does not lead to any gene exchange between the two species, which do not show any evidence of introgression. No hybrids or introgressed individuals were observed between P. decipiens C and either A or B. Genetic distances among conspecific populations were low (average Nei's D 0.001-0.005), even though they were collected thousands of kilometres apart, indicating high levels of gene flow within each of the three species. The values of Nei's index D were 0.44 between P. decipiens A and B, 0.57 between B and C, and 0.79 between A and C. Estimated evolutionary divergence times, using Nei's formula, range from 2 to 4 million years. Differences between P. decipiens A, B and C were also found with respect to genetic variability, morphology, geographical distribution and hosts. Mean heterozygosity values of 0.08, 0.05 and 0.02 were obtained for P. decipiens A, B and C, respectively. Preliminary morphological examination of adult males, previously identified by multilocus electrophoresis, revealed differences in the relative size and pattern of caudal papillae. P. decipiens B is widespread in the study area, whereas P. decipiens A was found only in the North-East Atlantic and Norwegian Sea. In this area P. decipiens A is most common in the grey seal, Halichoerus grypus, while the common seal, Phoca vitulina, is the main host for P. decipiens B. In Canadian Atlantic waters, where P. decipiens A is apparently absent, P. decipiens B infects both grey and common seals; a few specimens were also found in the hooded seal, Cystophora cristata. The only definitive host so far identified for P. decipiens C is the bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus; P. decipiens C appears to be widespread, occurring in both the North-West Atlantic and Barents Sea.

A technique for correction of carotid kinks and coils following endarterectomy.

This study presents a technique to correct kinking or coiling of the internal carotid artery using patch angioplasty following endarterectomy, resection, and anastomoses of the vessel. Since 1984, 579 carotid endarterectomies have been performed with 19 patients (3.3%) having arteriosclerotic carotid bulb and internal carotid artery disease associated with a carotid kink or coil. These have been treated successfully using the technique of resection and patch angioplasty. The indications for surgery included seven patients with transient ischemic attacks (36.8%); seven patients who had suffered a cerebrovascular accident (36.8%); amaurosis fugax in two patients (10.5%); and one patient each with Hollenhorst plaque (5.3%), central retinal artery occlusion (5.3%), and an asymptomatic critical stenosis (5.3%). All patients had successful repair of the vessel using saphenous vein or Dacron patch angioplasty. There were no perioperative strokes or deaths. Follow-up ranged from four months to 58 months (mean 25 months). All vessels are patent with no evidence of stenosis. One patient had an ipsilateral cerebrovascular accident but had no evidence of recurrent carotid disease. Surgical correction of the carotid kink or coil can present a difficult surgical problem, and resection, fixation, or transposition can be complicated. The technique of endarterectomy, resection of the redundant vessel with anastomosis of the back wall, and patch angioplasty has been used effectively and safely in this series of patients.

[Infestation by larvae of Anisakis simplex A and Anisakis physeteris in fish species of the Italian seas]. / Infestazione da larve di Anisakis simplex A e Anisakis physeteris in specie ittiche dei mari italiani.

Data on the occurrence of larvae of Anisakis simplex A and Anisakis physeteris in marine fishes from Italian waters are reported. The larvae have been identified by multilocus electrophoresis using biochemical keys. Considerations on the life-history pattern of these species in the Mediterranean Sea are advanced.

Digeneans of fishes from the Adriatic Sea with a description of Lecithaster atherinae n. sp. from Atherina (Hepsetia) boyeri.

A collection of whole mount preparations of digeneans was studied. The parasites were collected from several species of fishes caught in a fishing area of the South Adriatic Sea. A host-parasite list is given. Twenty species of fish were analysed and twenty-seven species of digeneans were found, twenty of which had previously been described in the same host, and six of which were observed in new hosts and/or localities. One digenean, hitherto undescribed, is illustrated in this paper and described as Lecithaster atherinae n.sp. The new species can be distinguished from L. bombayensis by the testes not being lobed; from L. extralobus by having four rather than five ovarian lobes; from L. indicus and L. maeoticus by the ovarian lobes not being finger-like; from L. leiostomi by having definitely smaller eggs.