Factores de riesgo asociados a la meningitis eosinofílica causada por Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae) en Chone, Ecuador / Risk factors associated to eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae) in Chone, Ecuador

Introducción: El parásito Angiostrongylus cantonensis es el principal causante de meningitis eosinofílica. En el 2008 se reportó el primer caso en Ecuador y un estudio reciente en la Ciudad de Chone, Manabí, Ecuador determinó una alta prevalencia del parásito en el caracol africano (Achatina fulica). Objetivo: Identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a la meningitis eosinofílica causada por A. cantonensis en la ciudad de Chone. Métodos: Se entrevistaron a 500 personas residentes en la ciudad de Chone y se revisaron las historias clínicas del Hospital General de Chone. Resultados: Se observó que la población de Chone, está expuesta a los siguientes factores de riesgos: consumo de caracoles crudos (7,40 por ciento), el frecuente contacto de las personas con el caracol africano en la casa (67 por ciento), como en el trabajo (51,20 por ciento), el contacto que tienen los niños con caracoles, al jugar en el jardín (76,80 por ciento) y la incorrecta limpieza de los alimentos (54,40 por ciento). En el entorno de la población, se evidenció la presencia del caracol africano cerca de las casas en el 35,20 por ciento y las ratas, en el 50,80 por ciento. Además, el 34 por ciento de la muestra de estudio presentó sintomatología relacionada con meningitis eosinofílica. Se encontró que existía asociación entre la presencia de vectores cerca de las casas y la cantidad de síntomas manifestados por las personas. Conclusiones: Se evidenció que la población de Chone, manifiesta hábitos que exponen a la gente de esta localidad a un alto riesgo de contagio de meningitis eosinofílica(AU)

Introduction: The parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the main causative agent of eosinophilic meningitis. The first case in Ecuador was reported in 2008, and a recent study conducted in the city of Chone, Manabí, Ecuador, determined a high prevalence of the parasite in the African snail (Achatina fulica). Objective: Identify the risk factors associated to eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis in the city of Chone. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 500 residents from the city of Chone and a review was carried out of the medical records at Chone General Hospital. Results: It was found that the population of Chone is exposed to the following risk factors: eating raw snails (7.40 percent), frequent contact between people and African snails both at home (67 percent) and at work (51.20 percent), contact between children and snails while playing in gardens (76.80 percent) and washing food items incorrectly (54.40 percent). In the areas surrounding people's households the African snail was found in 35.20 percent and rats in 50.80 percent . Additionally, 34 percent of the study sample had symptoms of eosinophilic meningitis. An association was found between the presence of vectors near the houses and the number of symptoms occurring in people. Conclusions: It was evident that the population of Chone has habits which expose them to a high risk for eosinophilic meningitis(AU)

Emended Description of Litomosoides molossi (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) and First Records of Litomosoides Species Parasitizing Argentinean Bats.

: During a long-term study on biodiversity of bats in the Yungas and Entre Ríos provinces, 1,304 specimens of bats included in the families Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae, Vespertilionidae, and Molossidae were collected and checked for filarioids. Litomosoides molossi Esslinger, 1973 was recovered from the thoracic and abdominal cavities of Molossus molossus (prevalence [P] = 6.4%); Litomosoides chandleri Esslinger, 1973 from Artibeus planirostris (P = 6.9%), Sturnira oporaphilum (P = 66.6%), Sturnira erythromos (P = 23.8%), Sturnira lilium (P = 7.2%), and Eumops perotis (P = 50%); and Litomosoides saltensis n. sp. was collected from Eptesicus furinalis (P = 1.7%). In this paper, we emend the description of L. molossi; describe a new species, Litomosoides saltensis n. sp., on the basis of 1 female specimen; and report for the first time L. molossi and L. chandleri parasitizing Argentinean bats, expanding the host and locality records. Litomosoides molossi exhibits a slender buccal capsule, with an anterior segment transparent, and the posterior chitinous portion displays 2 thickenings in the first third; possesses 1 dorsal prominent cephalic papilla and 4 labial papillae distributed around the mouth; cuticle with lateral punctuations all along the hypodermic chords in both sexes; and male with area rugosa and tail without cloacal papillae. In L. chandleri, the lateral punctuations are distributed on the posterior extremity of the body in both sexes. Litomosoides saltensis n. sp. displays a thick buccal capsule with a posterior segment well cuticularized, possessing 2 thickenings in the anterior half; 4 labial and 2 ventral cephalic papillae; a globular vulva located anterior to the esophagus-intestine junction; cuticle with lateral punctuations in the posterior extremity of the body; and tail with salient phasmids. We also provide a taxonomic key for the identification of the Litomosoides sp. of bat dwelling. Long-term studies and large sample sizes are needed to detect the presence of Litomosoides sp. in bats, in contrast to the findings in cricetid rodents, which seem to be more frequently collected.

A new species of Biacantha (Nematoda: Molineidae), a parasite of the common vampire bat from the Yungas, Argentina.

A new species of Biacantha Wolfgang, 1954 (Nematoda: Molineidae), is described from the common vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus Geoffroy and St. Hilaire, 1810, from northwest Argentina. Biacantha normaliae n. sp. Oviedo, Ramallo, and Claps, is characterized by the disposition and number of ridges of the synlophe, the excretory pore located on a knob, 2 lateral processes on the tail of females, the male caudal bursa morphology, and lack of gubernaculum. This is the first species of nematode described in a vampire bat from Argentina.