Detection of a Larva of Armillifer armillatus in a Potto (Perodicticus potto) from the Republic of the Congo.

We determined the complete sequence of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of a parasite discovered between the subcutaneous tissue and the peritoneum of an African nocturnal non-human primate (NHP). The parasite and host sequences were obtained by a combination of Sanger sequencing and nanopore MinION techniques. Analyses of mtDNA gene arrangements and sequences unambiguously showed that the parasite investigated was the pentastomid Armillifer armillatus, also commonly named the tongue worm. The full-length mitochondrial genome of A. armillatus, measuring 16,706 bp in length, contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes, an arrangement identical to that of previously described pentastomid mitochondrial genomes. We describe here the second full mitochondrial genome of A. armillatus to date. To identify the NHP host, maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses of a 441-bp fragment on the 12S rDNA gene and of a 1,140-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b strongly support clustering with the African lorisid Perodicticus potto, a species that has rarely been reported as an intermediate host of this parasite.

Verification of rabbits as intermediate hosts for Linguatula serrata (Pentastomida) in Australia.

We confirm the presence of nymphs of the introduced pentastomid, Linguatula serrata, in the introduced rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in Australia, based on morphological and molecular results. Two nymphs were collected from a single rabbit near the Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. Unlike reports of nymphs from domestic animals, these nymphs were not encapsulated, despite having the morphological features of infective nymphs. The possibility of different development pathways in lagomorphs is discussed. Examination of feral deer for L. serrata was unsuccessful and potential reasons for a lack of infection in these animals are postulated. Our results reiterate the need for a combined morphological and molecular approach to the identification of L. serrata. Further sampling of a range of feral and native animals is required to determine the true range of intermediate hosts and their relative importance in the transmission of L. serrata in Australia.

Morphological and molecular description of Armillifer moniliformis larvae isolated from Sri Lankan brown palm civet (Paradoxurus montanus).

We report Armillifer moniliformis species infecting the endemic Sri Lankan brown palm civet (Paradoxurus montanus) from the Knuckles Range Forest Conservation Area, Sri Lanka. Larval stages of A. moniliformis were found during the postmortem of three civet cats found dead. Morphological studies were done by a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Histopathological examination was conducted using tissue samples obtained from the liver. For the molecular analysis, DNA was extracted from the isolated third-stage larvae. The NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) and the second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-2), a portion of the large subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA (28S), a portion of 18S ribosomal rRNA gene (18S), and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COX1) were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Excysted third-stage larvae were observed in the lungs, omentum, the pleural cavity, the abdominal cavity, and the surface of the spleen and the pericardium. Around 88 third-stage larvae were isolated from three civet cats. First-stage larvae in the liver were surrounded by outer fibrous layer over the inner germinal layer and filled with clear fluid. Slight hemorrhage, leukocyte infiltration, and mild hepatocellular degeneration in the liver were observed. The SEM examination indicated the unique oral apparatus comprises the oval-shaped mouth opening in between two pairs of curved, retractile hamuli. The sequences obtained for ND5, ITS-2, 28S, 18S, and COX1 were 301, 382, 325, 414, and 644 bp in length respectively. Morphology, sequence similarity search, sequence alignment, and phylogenetic analysis identified this parasite as A. moniliformis.

Pathological characteristics of Linguatula serrata (aberrant arthropod) infestation in sheep and factors associated with prevalence in Iran.

Linguatula serrata is a cosmopolitan zoonotic parasite in which carnivores and herbivores serve as final and intermediate hosts, respectively. The aim of this study was to compare the L. serrata nymphal infection rate and intensity of infection (mean number of nymphs ±â€¯standard error) to the appearance and pathological changes of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) infected with L. serrata using sheep slaughtered in Tabriz, Iran. In addition, the effect of age, sex, and season on the prevalence of L. serrata infection was evaluated. For this purpose, over a four-year period, 31,078 MLNs from 3199 sheep were examined, with 4972 (15.99%) MLNs infected representing 518 (16.20%) sheep. Collected MLNs were categorized by color as normal, red or black and by consistency as normal, soft or hard. L. serrata were found in 8.88% of normal-colored MLNs, 14.45% of red (hemorrhagic) MLNs and 44.57% of black-colored MLNs, with the difference being significant for infection and infection intensity (P < 0.0001). In regards to MLN consistency, 7.98% of normal, 31.52% of soft and 5.42% of hard lymph nodes were found to be infected with the infection rate and intensity in soft nodes being significantly different (P < 0.0001). Pathological changes in MLNs infected with L. serrata nymph with normal color and consistency had calcification of the L. serrata nymph, granulomatous inflammation around the nymph and some neutrophils. Granulomatous inflammation around the L. serrata nymph, haemosiderophage, macrophage and lymph node depletion from lymphocytes were observed in MLNs infected with L. serrata nymph with soft consistency. In addition, MLNs infected with L. serrata nymph with hard consistency and black color contained neutrophils in the capsule's wall, caseous necrotic mass and L. serrata surrounded by a thick capsule. In regards to prevalence, age, sex and season (autumn) were significant (P < 0.0001, P < 0.01, respectively). These study results suggest that targeted meat inspection and targeted animal interventions could be used to decrease human exposure to L. serrata and animal infection.

A behavioral evaluation of the effects of ingestion of Linguatula serrata nymphs in rats.

Nasopharyngeal linguatuliasis known as Halzoun or Marrara syndrome occurs following ingestion of raw or undercooked viscera, including lymph nodes, liver and lung of infected animals. The present study was aimed to investigate the behavioral changes induced by ingestion of Linguatula serrata nymphs in rats. For this purpose, 24 rats were divided into four groups and orally ingested with 0 (control), 15, 30 and 60 L. serrata nymphs, respectively. Sneezing, mouth and tongue movements and mouth opening numbers were counted and the duration of mouth and nose grooming was measured at 10-min blocks for 30 min. Ingestion of 0 (normal saline) number of nymph produced negligible behaviors, whereas 15, 30 and 60 numbers of nymphs increased the above-mentioned behaviors when compared to normal saline (0 nymph) group. In this context, 60 number of nymphs produced more behavioral changes than 15 nymphs. We concluded that ingestion of L. serrata nymphs can produce behavioral changes in orofacial area in rats.

Visceral pentastomiasis caused by Armillifer armillatus in a captive striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in Chiang Mai Night Safari, Thailand.

Visceral pentastomiasis (porocephalosis) caused by Armillifer armillatus larvae was incidentally diagnosed in a female striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) of unknown age which died unexpectedly in 2013. The hyena had been imported from Tanzania 8years earlier and have been since then in a zoo in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Pathological examination revealed visceral nymph migrans of pentastomes throughout the intestine, liver, diaphragm, omentum and mesentery, spleen, kidneys, and urinary bladder. Polymerase chain reaction and sequencing that targeted the pentastomid-specific 18S rRNA gene determined 100% identity with reference sequence for A. armillatus, suggesting that its ova can infect the hyena to serve as an intermediate host for the parasite. Further studies to identify the source of infection, its risk factors, and host range for A. armillatus are important to determine its zoonotic potential and to better prevent and manage the disease to protect animal and human health.

Transmission of Armillifer armillatus ova at snake farm, The Gambia, West Africa.

Visceral pentastomiasis caused by Armillifer armillatus larvae was diagnosed in 2 dogs in The Gambia. Parasites were subjected to PCR; phylogenetic analysis confirmed relatedness with branchiurans/crustaceans. Our investigation highlights transmission of infective A. armillatus ova to dogs and, by serologic evidence, also to 1 human, demonstrating a public health concern.

Fatal infections in a captive Pithecia irrorata (primate) by Porocephalus sp. (Pentastomida).

This work presents a case of sudden death of a non-human adult male primate, which belongs to the National Primate Center (CENP - Ananindeua - Pará - Brazil). The specimen was necropsied, and the anatomicopathologic exam showed a great collection of clotted blood in the right thoracic cavity, forming a mold. The aorta revealed an extensive lesion in its intima with a disruption area in its tissue. In the lungs, three encapsulated parasites were observed in subpleural location, specifically in the diaphragmatic, right apical and accessory lobes, measuring 05 mm diameter, which revealed a C-form by transparency analysis, characteristic of the nymphal stage of Pentastomida. Two cysts were dissected and the parasites demonstrated structural and morphometric patterns compatible with the nymph of Porocephalus. Histologically, encapsulated parasites were observed in the lungs, with inflammatory reaction in the underlying parenchyma, presence of exudate composed of fibrin, macrophages, detaching the eosinophils and presenting no granulomatous reaction. The aortic adventitial tissue presented development of granulation tissue, deposit of fibroid material in its margins, prevalence of eosinophils and free blood. The macroscopic and microscopic alterations in the aorta, as well as the presence of nymphs of Pentastomida in the lungs are data that base the hypothesis that the aortic lesion was responsible for the fatal picture of internal hemorrhage, and this picture was due to the migratory process of Pentastomida.

The prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in goats slaughtered in Kerman slaughterhouse, Kerman, Iran.

Linguatula serrata is one of the zoonotic parasites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of nymphal stages of L. serrata in mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes of goats slaughtered in Kerman slaughterhouse, southeast of Iran. For this purpose, mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes of 407 goats of different sex and age were examined, revealing an infection prevalence of 49.1%. The prevalence of L. serrata infection among goats is higher than previously reported from Iran and indicates a strong focus of infection in goats. The infection rate increased with age (P<0.05). Further, the prevalence of L. serrata nymphs in different seasons was significantly different (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between the prevalence in males and females at the same age (P>0.05). The potential importance of these findings to human health is discussed.

[The prevalence of Linguatula serrata (Fröhlich, 1789) nymphs in sheep in the Van province]. / Van Ili Koyunlarinda Linguatula serrata (Fröhlich, 1789) Nimflerinin Yayginligi.

This research was carried out in order to detect the prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in lung and mesenteric lymph nodes of sheep in Van province. For this purpose, mesenteric lymph nodes of 347 sheep and lung lymph nodes of 224 sheep were examined. L. serrata nymphs were found in 18 (5.19%) out of 347 sheep. L. serrata nymphs were not found in the lung lymph nodes of 224 sheep. In infected sheep, a total of 19 L. serrata nymphs were collected and two nymphs of L. serrata were seen in one mesenteric lymph node.