Quid significat nomen? (What's in a name?).

For the purposes of classification and effective communication among scientists, organisms must have unequivocal names. The binomial naming system of species was devised and popularized by Linnaeus in the 18th Century. His "Botanical Latin" is an artificial language first adopted for naming plants and is now internationally accepted as a naming system for both plants and animals. Genus and species names are based on Latin and Greek words which describe characteristics of the organism, as well as words from more modern sources, such as the name of the discoverer or place of discovery. Naming follows certain rules and all of the word endings are Latinized. The history of naming parasites is interesting and the molecular age may influence naming in the future.

Dirofilaria immitis in cats from inner Sydney.

Two hundred feral cats from the inner suburbs of Sydney were examined post mortem for adult Dirofilaria immitis and circulating microfilariae, and 101 of these cats were tested for heartworm antigens by an ELISA. Only 2 cats (1%) had adult heartworms, the blood sample from another cat contained a single microfilaria. The blood of a further three cats contained small amounts of D immitis antigen. Although D immitis occurs in cats in Sydney, the prevalence is not high enough to warrant prophylactic treatment.

Haematological and pathological responses to experimental Trixacarus caviae infection in guinea pigs.

Outbred guinea pigs became infected with the mite Trixacarus caviae (Acarina, Sarcoptidae) when introduced into an infected colony. Mite numbers were highest after one month, then fell progressively. Infected guinea pigs developed a neutrophilia, monocytosis, eosinophilia and basophilia. Despite pronounced reactive changes in the superficial lymph nodes, infected guinea pigs developed only a mild dermatitis. In contrast, home bred animals, susceptible to T. caviae acquired many mites and developed a severe chronic dermatitis. Trixacaral manage in guinea pigs offers considerable potential for the study of mite infections in man and animals.

Trixacarus caviae infection of guinea pigs with genetically determined differences in susceptibility to Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection.

Guinea pigs with genetically determined resistance or susceptibility to infection with the nematode parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis were allowed to become infected with the sarcoptid mite Trixacarus caviae. Compared with nematode-susceptible guinea pigs, nematode-resistant animals had larger populations of mites and developed a more severe dermatitis, with greater mast cell hyperplasia and many more infiltrating eosinophils. The results suggest that animals bred for resistance to one parasite may have greater susceptibility to other parasites.

An evaluation of 4 commercially available ELISA kits for the diagnosis of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs.

Serum samples from 100 pound dogs were used to evaluate 4 commercial ELISA kits available for the diagnosis of Dirofilaria immitis. The kits were assessed on sensitivity (the ability to identify infected dogs), specificity (the ability to identify uninfected dogs) and accuracy (sensitivity plus specificity). The kits varied in sensitivity from 36% to 86%, in specificity from 44% to 70%, and in accuracy from 53% to 65%. The sensitivity was not affected by the age of the dogs, nor by the number of circulating microfilariae. The kits were most specific when testing the youngest dogs (less than = 3 years). The problems associated with the serological diagnosis of D. immitis infection in practice are discussed.