New molecular evidence on the members of the genus Ortholinea (Cnidaria, Myxozoa) and the description of Ortholinea hamsiensis n. sp. infecting the urinary bladder of European anchovy Engraulis engrasicolus in the Black Sea.

Members of the genus Ortholinea are among the worldwide distributed myxozoan parasites that mainly infect marine fish. In this study, a new myxosporean species, Ortholinea hamsiensis n. sp., was isolated from the urinary bladder of European anchovy Engraulis engrasicolus collected from the Sinop coasts of the Black Sea. The prevalence and density values of infection were 1.4% and 1­5 individuals in the field of view (1 + ), respectively. Mature myxospores are subspherical with slight tapering down to the less pronounced tip in the frontal view and subspherical in the sutural view. Myxospores measured 9.1 ± 0.25 (8.8­9.9) µm in length, 9.2 ± 0.11 (8.9­9.4) µm in thickness, and 8.4 ± 0.33 (8.2-9.1) µm in width. Two polar capsules equal in size measured 3.1 ± 0.11 (3.0­3.3) µm in length and 2.7 ± 0.11 (2.6­2.9) µm in width. The polar tubule had 3­4 coils. Along with morphological peculiarities, the results of the 18S rDNA also revealed it to be a new species for science compared to the other species of the genus. In this study, another myxosporean species O. gobiusi was also detected in round goby Neogobius melanostomus with a prevalence of infection value of 4.8% and a density of 1­5 individuals in the field of view (1 + ). The present study also provided the first data of 18S rDNA of O. gobiusi from N. melanostomus and type species of the genus O. divergens from Gobius niger and the phylogenetic relationships of these species with other Ortholinea species have been revealed.

Ortholinea nupchi n. sp. (Myxosporea: Ortholineidae) from the urinary bladder of the cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, South Korea.

A new myxosporean parasite, Ortholinea nupchi n. sp. (Myxozoa; Bivalvulida), was isolated from the urinary bladder of the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus cultured on Jeju Island, Korea. Mature spores were subspherical in the valvular and apical views and ellipsoidal in the sutural view. The spores measured 7.6 ± 0.5 µm in length, 6.7 ± 0.3 µm in thickness, and 7.3 ± 0.5 µm in width. Two pyriform polar capsules measured 3.2 ± 0.1 µm in length and 2.7 ± 0.1 µm in width and were located at the same level at the anterior half of the myxospores. The suture line was straight in the middle of the spores, and the surface ridges ranged between five and seven, forming an intricate pattern. The result of the 18S rDNA comparison showed ≤ 93.0% similarity with other Ortholinea species. The phylogenetic tree demonstrated that O. nupchi n. sp. was closest to O. auratae and clustered with oligochaete-infecting myxosporeans (OIM) having urinary system infection tropism. Based on the comparison of environmental and host factors in the phylogenetic groups of the OIM clade, we propose that the infection of O. nupchi n. sp. originated from marine oligochaetes.

Morphology and molecular characterization of Polystoma goeldii n. sp. (Monogenea, Polystomatidae) parasite from the urinary bladder of Physalaemus ephippifer (Steindachner) (Anura, Leptodactylidae).

Polystomatid flatworms of amphibians are represented in the Neotropical realm by species of Mesopolystoma, Nanopolystoma, Parapseudopolystoma, Polystoma, Riojatrema and Wetapolystoma but only species of Polystoma are known from Brazil, namely Polystoma cuvieri, P. knoffi, P. lopezromani and P. travassosi. During a survey of monogeneans infecting amphibians in the north-eastern region of Pará State, the Cayenne Caecilian Typhlonectes compressicauda was found to be infected with Nanopolystoma tinsleyi and the Veined Tree Frog Trachycephalus typhonius was found to harbor Polystoma lopezromani. A yet unknown species of Polystoma was also encountered in the urinary bladder of the Steindachner's Dwarf Frog, Physalaemus ephippifer. This new species, which is the second species reported from Physalaemus spp., is described herein as Polystoma goeldii n. sp. and its life cycle is also illustrated. The new species can be distinguished from Polystoma spp. from other neotropical realm by a combination of characteristics, including hamuli morphology, outer/inner hamuli length ratio, haptor/total body length ratio, genital bulb/total body length ratio, genital spine number and COI molecular characters.

Revision of the systematics of the Polystomoidinae (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea, Polystomatidae) with redefinition of Polystomoides Ward, 1917 and Uteropolystomoides Tinsley, 2017.

Polystomatids are platyhelminth parasites that infect mainly amphibians and freshwater turtles. For more than seven decades, chelonian polystomes were classified into three genera according to the number of hamuli, i.e. absent for Neopolystoma, one pair for Polystomoidella and two pairs for Polystomoides. Following re-examination of morphological characters, seven new genera were erected the past six years, namely Apaloneotrema, Aussietrema, Fornixtrema, Manotrema, Pleurodirotrema, Uropolystomoides and Uteropolystomoides. However, the polyphyly of Neopolystoma and Polystomoides on the one hand, and the nested position of Uteropolystomoides within a clade encompassing all Neopolystoma and Polystomoides spp. on the other, still raised questions about the validity of these genera. We therefore re-examined several types, paratypes and voucher specimens, and investigated the molecular phylogeny of polystomes sampled from the oral cavity of North American turtles to re-evaluate their systematic status. We show that all Polystomoides Ward, 1917, sensu Du Preez et al., 2022, Neopolystoma Price, 1939, sensu Du Preez et al., 2022 and Uteropolystomoides Tinsley, 2017 species, display vaginae that are peripheral and extend well beyond the intestine. We thus reassign all species of the clade to Polystomoides and propose nine new combinations; however, although Uteropolystomoides is nested within this clade, based on its unique morphological features, we propose to keep it as a valid taxon. Polystomoides as redefined herein groups all polystome species infecting either the oral cavity or the urinary bladder of cryptodires, with peripheral vaginae and with or without two pairs of small hamuli. Uteropolystomoides nelsoni (Du Preez & Van Rooyen 2015), originally described from Pseudemys nelsoni Carr is now regarded as Uteropolystomoides multifalx (Stunkard, 1924) n. comb. infecting three distinct Pseudemys species of North America.

Title: Révision de la systématique des Polystomoidinae (Plathelminthes, Monogenea, Polystomatidae) avec redéfinition des genres Polystomoides Ward, 1917 et Uteropolystomoides Tinsley, 2017. Abstract: Les Polystomatidés sont des plathelminthes parasites qui infestent principalement les amphibiens et les tortues d'eau douce. Pendant plus de sept décennies, les polystomes de chéloniens ont été classés en trois genres selon le nombre d'hamuli, absents pour Neopolystoma, une paire pour Polystomoidella et deux paires pour Polystomoides. Suite au réexamen des caractères morphologiques, sept nouveaux genres ont été érigés ces six dernières années, à savoir Apaloneotrema, Aussietrema, Fornixtrema, Manotrema, Pleurodirotrema, Uropolystomoides et Uteropolystomoides. Cependant, la polyphylie de Neopolystoma et Polystomoides d'une part, et la position imbriquée d'Uteropolystomoides au sein d'un clade englobant toutes les espèces de Neopolystoma et Polystomoides d'autre part, soulèvent encore des questions sur la validité de ces trois genres. Nous avons donc réexaminé plusieurs types, paratypes et vouchers et étudié la phylogénie moléculaire de polystomes prélevés dans la cavité buccale de tortues d'Amérique du Nord pour réévaluer leur statut systématique. Nous montrons que toutes les espèces de Polystomoides Ward, 1917, sensu Du Preez et al., 2022, Neopolystoma Price, 1939, sensu Du Preez et al., 2022 et Uteropolystomoides Tinsley, 2017, présentent des vagins périphériques qui s'étendent bien au-delà de l'intestin. Nous réattribuons ainsi toutes les espèces du clade à Polystomoides et proposons neuf nouvelles combinaisons; cependant, nous proposons de conserver Uteropolystomoides sur la base de ses caractéristiques morphologiques exceptionnelles, bien que son espèce soit imbriquée au sein de ce clade. Polystomoides tel que redéfini ici regroupe toutes les espèces de polystomes infectant soit la cavité buccale, soit la vessie des cryptodires, avec des vagins périphériques, et deux paires de petits hamuli ou sans hamuli. Uteropolystomoides nelsoni (Du Preez & Van Rooyen 2015), l'unique espèce décrite à l'origine à partir de Pseudemys nelsoni Carr est maintenant considérée comme Uteropolystomoides multifalx (Stunkard, 1924) n. comb., qui infecte trois espèces distinctes de Pseudemys d'Amérique du Nord.

Host tissue proteomics reveal insights into the molecular basis of Schistosoma haematobium-induced bladder pathology.

Urogenital schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern worldwide. In response to egg deposition, the host bladder undergoes gross and molecular morphological changes relevant for disease manifestation. However, limited mechanistic studies to date imply that the molecular mechanisms underlying pathology are not well-defined. We leveraged a mouse model of urogenital schistosomiasis to perform for the first time, proteome profiling of the early molecular events that occur in the bladder after exposure to S. haematobium eggs, and to elucidate the protein pathways involved in urogenital schistosomiasis-induced pathology. Purified S. haematobium eggs or control vehicle were microinjected into the bladder walls of mice. Mice were sacrificed seven days post-injection and bladder proteins isolated and processed for proteome profiling using mass spectrometry. We demonstrate that biological processes including carcinogenesis, immune and inflammatory responses, increased protein translation or turnover, oxidative stress responses, reduced cell adhesion and epithelial barrier integrity, and increased glucose metabolism were significantly enriched in S. haematobium infection. S. haematobium egg deposition in the bladder results in significant changes in proteins and pathways that play a role in pathology. Our findings highlight the potential bladder protein indicators for host-parasite interplay and provide new insights into the complex dynamics of pathology and characteristic bladder tissue changes in urogenital schistosomiasis. The findings will be relevant for development of improved interventions for disease control.

Characterisation of tetraspanins from Schistosoma haematobium and evaluation of their potential as novel diagnostic markers.

Schistosoma haematobium is the leading cause of urogenital schistosomiasis and it is recognised as a class 1 carcinogen due to the robust association of infection with bladder cancer. In schistosomes, tetraspanins (TSPs) are abundantly present in different parasite proteomes and could be potential diagnostic candidates due to their accessibility to the host immune system. The large extracellular loops of six TSPs from the secretome (including the soluble excretory/secretory products, tegument and extracellular vesicles) of S. haematobium (Sh-TSP-2, Sh-TSP-4, Sh-TSP-5, Sh-TSP-6, Sh-TSP-18 and Sh-TSP-23) were expressed in a bacterial expression system and polyclonal antibodies were raised to the recombinant proteins to confirm the anatomical sites of expression within the parasite. Sh-TSP-2, and Sh-TSP-18 were identified on the tegument, whereas Sh-TSP-4, Sh-TSP-5, Sh-TSP-6 and Sh-TSP-23 were identified both on the tegument and internal tissues of adult parasites. The mRNAs encoding these TSPs were differentially expressed throughout all schistosome developmental stages tested. The potential diagnostic value of three of these Sh-TSPs was assessed using the urine of individuals (stratified by infection intensity) from an endemic area of Zimbabwe. The three Sh-TSPs were the targets of urine IgG responses in all cohorts, including individuals with very low levels of infection (those positive for circulating anodic antigen but negative for eggs by microscopy). This study provides new antigen candidates to immunologically diagnose S. haematobium infection, and the work presented here provides compelling evidence for the use of a biomarker signature to enhance the diagnostic capability of these tetraspanins.

A record of juvenile Paragonimus skrjabini miyazakii from the urinary bladder of the Japanese toad, Bufo japonicus formosus.

We found juveniles of Paragonimus in the urinary bladder of a Japanese toad (Bufo japonicus formosus) captured in Kyoto. These were molecularly identified as Paragonimus skrjabini miyazakii Kamo, Nishida, Hatsushika et Tomimura 1961. This is the first report of P. s. miyazakii found in anuran hosts in Japan, indicating that anurans can be paratenic hosts of P. s. miyazakii, as is also the case for Paragonimus skrjabini skrjabini in China. This finding suggests that definitive hosts of P. s. miyazakii can be infected by eating not only crabs or mammal paratenic hosts, but also anurans.

A new species of Trichodina lishuiensis n. sp. (Ciliophora: Trichodinidae) in urinary bladder of Odorrana schmackeri (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China.

Endoparasitic trichodinids are rather rare ciliates. In this study we describe a new species named Trichodina lishuiensis from the bladder of Odorrana schmackeri collected in Zhejiang, China, with the prevalence of 20% (9/45). We identified T. lishuiensis as a new species by morphological comparison and molecular analysis. The ciliates were observed using the dry-silver and protargol staining methods, as well as SEM (scanning electron microscopy). Trichodina lishuiensis is a small species (cell diameter 31.8-43.9 µm), with incompact denticles connection, medium-wide blades and thick rays. We also sequenced a 1712 bp-long fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA). Phylogenetic analyses showed that the new species clustered with Trichodina unionis. The route of transmission of Trichodina species in the urinary bladder remains a mystery. We hypothesize that the transmisison takes place during the amplexus, with eggs and sperm discharged from the cloaca, and that trichodinids 'accompany' the amphibian through its whole life cycle, but further studies are needed to test this hypothesis.

Macroscopic and microscopic imaging modalities for diagnosis and monitoring of urogenital schistosomiasis.

Urogenital schistosomiasis remains a major global challenge. Optimal management of this infection depends upon imaging-based assessment of sequelae. Although established imaging modalities such as ultrasonography, plain radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), narrow band imaging, and computerized tomography (CT) have been used to determine tissue involvement by urogenital schistosomiasis, newer refinements in associated technologies may lead to improvements in patient care. Moreover, application of investigational imaging methods such as confocal laser endomicroscopy and two-photon microscopy in animal models of urogenital schistosomiasis are likely to contribute to our understanding of this infection's pathogenesis. This review discusses prior use of imaging in patients with urogenital schistosomiasis and experimentally infected animals, the advantages and limitations of these modalities, the latest radiologic developments relevant to this infection, and a proposed future diagnostic standard of care for management of afflicted patients.

First Record of a Polystome from Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii (Cryptodira: Chelydridae) or Mississippi; with Comments on "Neopolystoma orbiculare (Stunkard, 1916)" and Its Junior Subjective Synonyms.

Herein, we describe several newly-collected specimens of Neopolystoma cf. orbiculare from the urinary bladder of 2 alligator snapping turtles, Macrochelys temminckii (Troost in Harland, 1835) (Cryptodira: Chelydridae Gray, 1831) from Comet Lake (30°35'46.94″N, 88°36'3.12″W), Pascagoula River, Mississippi. Our specimens differed from all previous descriptions of N. orbiculare and its junior subjective synonyms by the combination of having intestinal ceca adorned with triangular pockets and that terminate dorsal to the haptor, distinctive hooklets each having a handle and guard of approximately equal length and having a much longer and curved blade, 16 genital coronet spines that each possess 1-2 flanges per spine, pre-testicular vaginal pores, and vaginal ducts that are anterior to the junction of the oviduct and genito-intestinal canal. Some of our specimens were enantiomorphic (4 and 3 had a dextral and sinistral ovary, respectively). Nucleotide sequences (large subunit ribosomal DNA [28S], small subunit ribosomal DNA [18S], and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 mitochondrial gene [COI]) for our specimens were most similar to GenBank sequences ascribed to N. orbiculare. Single-gene and concatenated phylogenetic analyses confirmed that NeopolystomaPrice, 1939 is polyphyletic and that our isolates share a recent common ancestor with those ascribed to N. orbiculare. This is the first record of a polystomatid from Mississippi, from the Pascagoula River, and from the alligator snapping turtle (and only the second species of Neopolystoma reported from any snapping turtle).

IPSE, a urogenital parasite-derived immunomodulatory molecule, suppresses bladder pathogenesis and anti-microbial peptide gene expression in bacterial urinary tract infection.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic infections can increase susceptibility to bacterial co-infections. This may be true for urogenital schistosomiasis and bacterial urinary tract co-infections (UTI). We previously reported that this co-infection is facilitated by S. haematobium eggs triggering interleukin-4 (IL-4) production and sought to dissect the underlying mechanisms. The interleukin-4-inducing principle from Schistosoma mansoni eggs (IPSE) is one of the most abundant schistosome egg-secreted proteins and binds to IgE on the surface of basophils and mast cells to trigger IL-4 release. IPSE can also translocate into host nuclei using a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) to modulate host transcription. We hypothesized that IPSE is the factor responsible for the ability of S. haematobium eggs to worsen UTI pathogenesis. METHODS: Mice were intravenously administered a single 25 µg dose of recombinant S. haematobium-derived IPSE, an NLS mutant of IPSE or PBS. Following IPSE exposure, mice were serially weighed and organs analyzed by histology to assess for toxicity. Twenty-four hours after IPSE administration, mice were challenged with the uropathogenic E. coli strain UTI89 by urethral catheterization. Bacterial CFU were measured using urine. Bladders were examined histologically for UTI-triggered pathogenesis and by PCR for antimicrobial peptide and pattern recognition receptor expression. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, IPSE administration did not result in significant differences in urine bacterial CFU. However, IPSE administration did lead to a significant reduction in UTI-induced bladder pathogenesis and the expression of anti-microbial peptides in the bladder. Despite the profound effect of IPSE on UTI-triggered bladder pathogenesis and anti-microbial peptide production, mice did not demonstrate systemic ill effects from IPSE exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that IPSE may play a major role in S. haematobium-associated urinary tract co-infection, albeit in an unexpected fashion. These findings also indicate that IPSE either works in concert with other IL-4-inducing factors to increase susceptibility of S. haematobium-infected hosts to bacterial co-infection or does not contribute to enhancing vulnerability to this co-infection.

Phyllodistomum kupermani n. sp. from the European perch, Perca fluviatilis L. (Perciformes: Percidae), and redescription of Phyllodistomum macrocotyle (Lühe, 1909) with notes on the species diversity and host specificity in the European Phyllodistomum spp. (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae).

BACKGROUND: European species of the large genus Phyllodistomum Braun, 1899 had historically been erected based solely on morphological characters. Unfortunately, many of them are still poorly known and inadequately described. Molecular approaches are critical to delineate species which were impossible to differentiate based on morphology alone. METHODS: New samples of adult Phyllodistomum spp. were collected from the urinary bladder and/or ureters of European freshwater fishes and fixed to conduct a light and scanning electron microscopy study, and to obtain sequences of nuclear (ITS2 spacer and 28S rRNA gene), to be analysed in the context of a molecular phylogeny. RESULTS: Based on new findings, a new species of Phyllodistomum from the urinary bladder of the European perch, Perca fluviatilis, in Volga River basin, Russia, is described. Additionally, new data on the morphology and tegumental surface topography of P. macrocotyle (Lühe, 1909) Odhner, 1911 from ureters of the common rudd, Scardinius erythrophthalmus, is presented. The host range of P. folium, confirmed by DNA analysis, is extended to other cyprinid fish species. CONCLUSIONS: The present study has again shown that species of the genus Phyllodistomum are in dire need of revision based on both molecular analysis and detailed morphological redescriptions of the forms attributed to the genus. Morphologically, P. kupermani n. sp. most closely resembles P. pseudofolium, a highly host-specific parasite of Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.), but molecular phylogenetic analyses based on ITS2 and 28S rDNA sequences showed that these species are distantly related. Phyllodistomum kupermani n. sp. was found to be phylogenetically most closely related to the type-species of Phyllodistomum, P. folium. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that Phyllodistomum kupermani n. sp. and P. folium formed a clade with other freshwater species for which cystocercous cercariae develop in bivalves of the family Sphaeriidae. The micromorphology and tegumental surface topography of P. macrocotyle revealed in the present study provide a valuable taxonomic criterion for congeneric species differentiation.

Polystoma luohetong n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) from Rana chaochiaoensis Liu (Amphibia: Ranidae) in China.

Polystoma chaochiaoensis from the urinary bladder of the chaochiao frog Rana chaochiaoensis Liu was briefly described in a symposium abstract and presented at the Third Symposium on Parasitology of China in 1990. Types were not assigned and the original specimens collected are no longer available. The morphological description was incomplete and no illustrations were provided. We consider Polystoma chaochiaoensis a nomen nudum and provide a full description for the species and assign types. Based on morphological characteristics and molecular data of partial 18S rDNA sequences, we describe this species as Polystoma luohetong n. sp. Out of 578 frogs examined, 16 male and 38 female frogs were infected (prevalence 9.3%; mean intensity 1.02). Polystoma luohetong n. sp. is distinguished from all other Polystoma species by the presense of a prominent crest on the hamulus as well as by the shape and size of marginal hooklets and the intestinal arrangement. Furthermore, the phylogentic analysis based on the 18S rRNA gene shows Polystoma luohetong n. sp. well nested within the Ploystoma clade and as a sister taxon to Polystoma integerrimum.

Gaharitrema droneni n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Zoogonidae) from the Pudgy Cuskeel, Spectrunculus grandis (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae), from Deep Waters Off Oregon, with Updated Keys to Zoogonid Subfamilies and Genera.

Gaharitrema droneni n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Zoogonidae: Lepidophyllinae) is described from the intestine of the pudgy cuskeel, Spectrunculus grandis (Günther, 1877) (Ophidiiformes: Ophidiidae), collected at 2,800 m depth from the northeastern Pacific Ocean off Oregon. The new genus is distinguished from BrachyenteronManter, 1934 and SteganodermaStafford, 1904, the 2 closest lepidophylline genera, and from 4 other zoogonid genera erected since 2007, the last major revision of the family, by a combination of diagnostic features including a pyriform or spindle-shaped body, smooth testes and ovary, narrow ceca that reach with the vitellarium into the hindbody, an unspecialized ventral sucker, non-filamented eggs, a claviform cirrus pouch, and an unpocketed ejaculatory duct and metraterm, and the new genus lacks circumoral spines. We present updated keys to the 3 subfamilies of the Zoogonidae Odhner, 1902, as well as to the genera of the Cephaloporinae Yamaguti, 1934 and the Lepidophyllinae Stossich, 1903. A listing of the parasites known from S. grandis also is presented. This study documents the third family of digeneans (Zoogonidae) known to parasitize S. grandis, and it is a new host record (i.e., the first zoogonid reported from this host species). We discuss the relatively impressive presence of the Zoogonidae and their hosts within the deep sea. Specifically, of the 35 genera we recognize within this digenean family, 14 (40%) have deep-sea representatives. At least 37 species within 27 genera and 19 families within 11 orders of deep-sea fish are known to harbor zoogonids. Furthermore, of the 37 known deep-sea fish species parasitized by zoogonids, only 5 (13.5%) harbor 2 or more zoogonid species; the remaining 32 (86.5%) harbor only 1 parasite species each, indicating strong host specificity. Finally, the dietary ecology of S. grandis is presented, allowing us to speculate that Gaharitrema droneni may be utilizing gastropods and polychaetes as well as S. grandis to complete its life cycle in the deep sea.

Case Report of Urinary Schistosomiasis in a Returned Traveler in Korea.

A 23-year-old Korean woman with a residence history in Kenya and Malawi for about 2 years presented with gross hematuria for 1 month. Blood tests were within normal range except eosinophilia. Asymmetrically diffuse wall thickening and calcification were observed at the urinary bladder on CT. Multiple erythematous nodular lesions were observed in the cystoscopy and transurethral resection was done. Numerous eggs of Schistosoma haematobium with granulomatous inflammation were observed in the submucosal layer of the bladder. The patient was diagnosed with schistosomiasis-related cystitis and treated with praziquantel (40 mg/kg/day) twice before and after transurethral resection. This case suggests that S. haematobium infection should be considered as a cause of hematuria in Korea when the patient had a history of traveling endemic areas of schistosomiasis.

Ortholinea scatophagi (Myxosporea: Ortholineidae), a novel myxosporean infecting the spotted scat, Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus 1766) from southwest coast of India.

A new species of myxosporean, Ortholinea scatophagi n. sp. infecting the urinary bladder of the spotted scat, Scatophagus argus (Linnaeus 1766) is described. O. scatophagi n. sp. is characterized by spherical myxospores with a slightly flattened anterior end and equal spore valves with extra sutural ridges on its surface; measured 7.34 ±â€¯0.67 µm in length, 6.90 ±â€¯0.71 µm in width and 6.48 ±â€¯0.37 µm in thickness. Two polar capsules, equal, spherical to oval in shape, arranged diametrically opposite and measured 2.59 ±â€¯0.42 µm in length and 2.24 ±â€¯0.35 µm in width. Polar filaments, 21.84 ±â€¯2.86 µm long, with four to five coils. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of extra sutural ridges on spore surface. Pansporoblasts spherical to irregular in shape, measured 31.08 ±â€¯2.67 µm in length and 13.88 ±â€¯5.40 µm in width; Monosporic, disporic and polysporic plasmodial stages were observed; plasmodia spherical or irregular in shape with granular cytoplasm containing refractile granules. The species was compared with 23 existing nominal species of Ortholinea, based on morphology and morphometry. Molecular analysis resulted in a 1773 bp long SSU rDNA sequence (GenBank accession number MN 310514). In phylogenetic analyses the present parasite clustered with other members of Ortholinea, under the freshwater urinary clade. Considering the morphologic, morphometric and molecular differences with previously described species of Ortholinea, and differences in host and geographic locations, the present species is treated as new and the name Ortholinea scatophagi n. sp.is proposed.

A new African species of parasitic Dero (Annelida, Clitellata, Naididae) in the urinary tract of reed frogs.

A new species of naidid oligochaete, Dero rwandae, detected in the bladder and the Wolffian ducts of reed frogs Hyperolius kivuensis from Rwanda, is described. Until now, D. bauchiensis was the only endoparasitic Dero known to infect African frogs infesting the eyes and Harderian glands. To the best of our knowledge, the finding of D. rwandae is the first record of an African Dero species infecting the urinary tract of anurans. In general morphology, the two African Dero parasites resemble each other, but differences in the features of ventral setae morphology exist. Parts of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA locus and the nuclear 18S and 28S rRNA loci were sequenced to assess the phylogenetic relationships to other Dero spp. Among those few species, that are barcoded so far, the closest relative of the new taxon is D. superterrenus, a free-living South American species. The species groups formerly termed subgenera Allodero, Aulophorus and Dero within the genus Dero do not represent distinct evolutionary lineages and the genus is paraphyletic including Branchiodrilus.

An Unusual Location of Hydatid Cyst, Cause of Severe Pollakiuria.

Hydatidosis is an important zoonotic parasite disease in several herbivorous mammals. Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by infection with larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus has been frequently reported from different organs. Here, we report the first case of a urinary echinococcosis in Iran with a pain in the lower left abdominal quadrant and severe frequent urination (pollakiuria). We detected a cyst 120 × 15 mm dimensions with heterogeneous mass contain fluid in the back of the urinary bladder neck between the umbilical region and external urethral sphincter. The patient was candidate for open-abdomen surgery and cysts were resected. The isolated cysts from liver and urinary bladder were referred to pathology laboratory, and the tissue sections were stained with Tri-chrome and Hematoxylin/eosin staining methods. Microscopic examination of prepared tissue sections showed protoscoleces of E. granulosus with specific and thick laminated hyaline layer (non-cellular membrane), with covers the thin activate germinal epithelium, which revealed the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst. This rare case illustrates that CE is the necessity of considering in the differential diagnosis from cysts, abscesses, malignant and benignant tumors, especially is essential in endemic areas of CE.

Indopolystoma n. gen. (Monogenea, Polystomatidae) with the description of three new species and reassignment of eight known Polystoma species from Asian frogs (Anura, Rhacophoridae).

The polystomes (Monogenea, Polystomatidae) radiated across semi-aquatic tetrapods including all three amphibian orders, freshwater turtles and the hippopotamus. Prior to this study, phylogenetic analyses revealed that the most diverse and widespread genus, Polystoma, was not monophyletic; a lineage comprising four undescribed species from the bladder of Zhangixalus spp. (Rhacophoridae) in Asia occupied a deep phylogenetic position. Regarding vicariance biogeography and molecular dating, the origin of this lineage is correlated with the breakup of Gondwanaland in the Mesozoic period. Based on a Bayesian analysis of four concatenated genes (18S, 28S, COI and 12S) and morphological evidence, one new genus, Indopolystoma n. gen., and three new species, sampled in Japan and China, are described here: Indopolystoma viridi n. sp. from Z. viridis of Japan, Indopolystoma elongatum n. sp. from Z. arboreus of Japan, and Indopolystoma parvum n. sp. from Z. omeimontis of China. Indopolystoma is unique amongst polystome genera infecting anurans by possessing a small haptor relative to the body size, posteriormost marginal hooklet C1 much bigger than hooklets C2-C8 with conspicuous broad blade and guard and a pair of hamuli lacking a deep notch. Eight species of Asian Polystoma, all from rhacophorids, are transferred as Indopolystoma carvirostris (Fan, Li & He, 2008) n. comb., I. hakgalense (Crusz & Ching, 1975) n. comb., I. indicum (Diengdoh & Tandon, 1991) n. comb., I. leucomystax (Zhang & Long, 1987) n. comb., I. mutus (Meng, Song & Ding, 2010) n. comb., I. pingbianensis (Fan, Wang & Li, 2004) n. comb., I. rhacophori (Yamaguti, 1936) n. comb., and I. zuoi (Shen, Wang & Fan, 2013) n. comb.

TITLE: Indopolystoma n. gen. (Monogenea, Polystomatidae) avec description de trois nouvelles espèces et réaffectation de huit espèces connues de Polystoma parasites de grenouilles asiatiques (Anura, Rhacophoridae). ABSTRACT: Les polystomes (Monogenea, Polystomatidae) se sont diversifiés sur des tétrapodes semi-aquatiques, notamment les trois ordres d'amphibiens, les tortues d'eau douce et l'hippopotame. Avant cette étude, des analyses phylogénétiques avaient révélé que le genre le plus diversifié et le plus répandu, Polystoma, n'était pas monophylétique ; une lignée comprenant quatre espèces non décrites de la vessie de Zhangixalus spp. (Rhacophoridae) en Asie occupait une position phylogénétique profonde. En ce qui concerne la biogéographie de vicariance et la datation moléculaire, l'origine de cette lignée est corrélée à l'éclatement du Gondwana au Mésozoïque. D'après une analyse bayésienne de quatre gènes concaténés (18S, 28S, COI et 12S) et des preuves morphologiques, un nouveau genre, Indopolystoma n. gen. et trois nouvelles espèces échantillonnées au Japon et en Chine sont décrites ici : Indopolystoma viridi n. sp. de Z. viridis du Japon, Indopolystoma elongatum n. sp. de Z. arboreus du Japon et Indopolystoma parvum n. sp. de Z. omeimontis de Chine. Indopolystoma est unique parmi les genres de polystomes infectant les anoures. Il possède un hapteur petit par rapport à la taille du corps, un crocheton le plus postérieur C1 beaucoup plus gros que les crochetons C2 à C8, avec lame et garde bien visibles, ainsi qu'une paire d'hamuli dépourvus d'encoche profonde. Huit espèces de polystomes asiatiques, toutes issues de Rhacophoridae, sont transférées comme Indopolystoma carvirostris (Fan, Li & He, 2008) n. comb., I. hakgalense (Crusz et Ching, 1975) n. comb., I. indicum (Diengdoh & Tandon, 1991) n. comb., I. leucomystax (Zhang & Long, 1987) n. comb., I. mutus (Meng, Song & Ding, 2010) n. comb., I. pingbianensis (Fan, Wang et Li, 2004) n. comb., I. rhacophori (Yamaguti, 1936) n. comb. et I. zuoi (Shen, Wang et Fan, 2013) n. comb.

A new species Myxodavisia jejuensis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Sinuolineidae) isolated from cultured olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in South Korea.

A new myxosporean parasite, Myxodavisia jejuensis n. sp. (Myxozoa; Bivalvulida) is described from the urinary bladder of olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus cultured on Jeju Island, Korea. Two long lateral appendages with whip-like extensions were attached to mature spores of triangular to semi-circular shape. The spores were measured at 13.1 ± 1.1 µm in length, 17.2 ± 1.0 µm in thickness, and 13.1 ± 1.0 µm in width. Two spherical polar capsules, with a diameter of 5.0 ± 0.4 µm, were observed on opposite sides in the middle of the spore. The suture line was straight or slightly sinuous on the middle of spores. The 18S rDNA from M. jejuensis n. sp. was used in BLAST and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The results demonstrated that M. jejuensis n. sp. was closest to Sinuolinea capsularis and that the infection site tropism was correlated with the phylogeny of marine myxosporeans. In addition, we designed specific primers to detect the 18S rDNA gene of M. jejuensis n. sp.; the results showed specific amplification in M. jejuensis n. sp. among the myxosporeans isolated from the urinary bladder of the cultured olive flounder.