The effect of gamma-radiation and heat shock on protein synthesis and antioxidant enzymes in the gastrointestinal parasite, Heligmosomoides polygyrus.

Protein synthesis and antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated in gamma-irradiated (300 Gy) and heat shocked (42 degrees C) larval stages of the gastrointestinal parasite, Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri (H. polygyrus). No qualitative or quantitative differences were observed in the incorporation of (35S)-methionine into somatic proteins of unirradiated or irradiated exsheathed third-stage (L3) larvae at either 37 degrees C or 42 degrees C. The rate of protein synthesis doubled in L3 stages maintained at 42 degrees C compared with 37 degrees C, irrespective of whether the larvae had been irradiated or not. The composition of excretory/secretory (ES) proteins varied between unirradiated and irradiated exsheathed L3 larvae maintained under identical conditions. Prominent heat-inducible proteins of 26 and 17 kDa were synthesised and excreted at 42 degrees C by both unirradiated and irradiated L3 stages. No major differences in protein synthesis could be detected between unirradiated and irradiated fourth-stage (L4) larvae. Temperature elevation significantly reduced protein synthesis in L4 stages, most notably in unirradiated parasites. Heat-inducible proteins were not detected in response to either irradiation or temperature elevation in L4 larvae. Immune sera recognised a similar spectrum of antigens in both unirradiated and irradiated L4 somatic and ES preparations and reacted with antigens from irradiated L4 parasites with less intensity than with antigens from unirradiated L4 larvae. Catalase was the only antioxidant enzyme examined with activity that changed significantly in irradiated parasites, being reduced to approximately 36% of normal levels in irradiated L4 stages. No significant difference existed between irradiated and unirradiated parasites in the levels of activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase.

Irradiated larval vaccination of ponies against strongylus vulgaris.

Nonimmune pony foals 9 to 12 mo of age were vaccinated with third-stage Strongylus vulgaris larvae (L3) irradiated with 70, 100, or 130 Kr of gamma radiation. Ponies receiving per os inoculations of L3 irradiated with 70 or 100 Kr were protected from the clinical disease and lesions associated with challenge infections of 4,300 L3, when compared to nonvaccinated controls. Similarly, the numbers of worms from the challenging population recovered from successfully vaccinated animals were significantly lower than from nonvaccinated controls. The degree of resistance that develops in individuals can be semiquantitated based on clinical and pathological responses.

[The destruction of parasitic resistant stages in sludge by irradiation with low accelerating voltage electrons (author's transl)]. / Die Vernichtung parasitärer Dauerformen im Klärschlamm durch Bestrahlung mit niederenergetischen Elektronen

The destroying effect of ionizing radiation on parasitic resistant stages in sludge has been tested. Suitable for that process is an electron beam accelerator which will be provided with energy from the electric power supply network which can be switched on and off according to the requirements. Such modern utilities have an enormous beam capacity and a high operating safety. The process is working according to the continuous flow principle and at room temperature. In a series of 13 experiments the effect of different doses has been tested. A dose of 480 kRad (accelerating voltage; 400 kV, beam current; 10 mA, irradiation time: 24 sec.) can easely obtained in practical work and is economically acceptable. By these means approximately 97% of the following parasitic stages have been destroyed: undeveloped eggs of Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, Fasciola hepatica and gastrointestinal strongylids of pigs, embryonated eggs of Capillaria obsignata and probably of Taenia spec. A few third-stage larvae of Oesophagostomum (Strongylidae) of pigs survived even 108 sec of irradiation; however, they did not develop to maturity in the definitive host. Approximately 25% of the sporulated oocysts of Eimeria renella were still infective after 108 sec of irradiation.