Amount Of Parasites Research Articles

Water Quality and Microbiological Contamination across the Fish Marketing Chain: A Case Study in the Peruvian Amazon (Lagoon Yarinacocha)

The contamination of the surface water of lagoons is a common problem in developing countries, and can affect fishing activities. A case study was conducted on water quality and microbiological contamination of the fishing marketing chain in the Peruvian Amazon (Laguna de Yarinacocha). The microbiological, physical–chemical and parasitological parameters of the surface water were evaluated in three points of the lagoon near the landing stage; and microbiological parameters of facilities, handlers and three species of fish (Prochilodus nigricans, Mylossoma duriventre and Siluriforme spp.). In the water, there were coliform counts ≥ 23 (Most probable number—MPN)/100 mL, Escherichia coli ≥ 3.6 MPN/100 mL, and Pseudomona spp. up to 2.2 MPN/100 mL; high turbidity and variable amounts of parasites. In facilities and handlers, high levels of coliforms, mainly Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were found in M. duriventre meat. A poor quality of the surface water of the lagoon is concluded that compromises part of the fishing marketing chain, mainly facilities and manipulators. Furthermore, the levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in fish meat show poor handling practices and possible risk of contamination by water sources.

Fuzzy Global Stability Analysis of the Dynamics of Malaria with Fuzzy Transmission and Recovery Rates

In this paper, fuzzy techniques have been used to track the problem of malaria transmission dynamics. The fuzzy equilibrium of the proposed model was discussed for different amounts of parasites in the body. We proved that when the amounts of parasites are less than the minimum amounts required for disease transmission (), we reach the model disease-free equilibrium. Using Choquet integral, the fuzzy basic reproduction number through the expected value of fuzzy variable was introduced for the fuzzy Susceptible, Exposed, Infected, Recovered, susceptible-Susceptible, Exposed and Infected (SEIRS-SEI) malaria model. The fuzzy global stabilities were introduced and discussed. The disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if or if the basic reproduction number is less than one (). When and , there exists a co-existing endemic equilibrium which is globally asymptotically stable in the interior of feasible set . Finally, the numerical simulation has been done for showing the effectiveness of our analytical results.

Fatal toxoplasmosis in wild European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) in tularaemia endemic areas of the Czech Republic: Poses risk of infection for humans?

Toxoplasma gondii may cause fatal infection in European brown hares (Lepus europaeus). However, the role of this parasite in terms of mortality rate in tularaemia endemic areas, amount of parasites in affected organs and circulating genotypes, is still unknown. In total, 36 hares (killed or found dead) were submitted for pathomorphological examination as apart of the national tularaemia and brucellosis monitoring. Tissue samples (lung, heart, liver, spleen and kidney) were tested by quantitative real-time PCR targeting 529bp region of T.gondii. Genotyping was performed by a 15 microsatellite markers method in a single multiplex PCR assay. The same tissues of hares were simultaneously used for the bacteriological cultivation. Toxoplasmagondii was detected by qPCR in the tissues of two hares. Spleen and lungs of one infected hare have been found harbouring up to ~7 millions of T.gondii parasites per gram of tissue. Both positive samples were characterized as T.gondii type II, one archetypal clonal type II and the other one atype II variant (W35=244). Bacteria Francisellatularensis was proved in pooled samples of three hares but without coinfection with T.gondii; all hares were negative for Brucellasuis. Toxoplasma gondii has significant impact on mortality of European brown hares in tularaemia endemic areas and parasite load within the animal tissues may present high risk of human infection.

Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ1) and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) as Biomarkers of Leishmania (V) braziliensis Infection and Early Therapeutic Response in Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Studies in Hamsters.

Introduction: In cutaneous leishmaniasis, the host immune response is responsible for the development of skin injuries but also for resolution of the disease especially after antileishmanial therapy. The immune factors that participate in the regulation of inflammation, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, cell proliferation and differentiation may constitute biomarkers of diseases or response to treatment. In this work, we analyzed the production of the growth factors EGF, TGFβ1, PDGF, and FGF during the infection by Leishmania parasites, the development of the injuries and the early response to treatment.Methodology: Golden hamsters were infected with L. (V) braziliensis. The growth factors were detected in skin scrapings and biopsies every 2 weeks after infected and then at day 7 of treatment with different drug candidates by RT-qPCR. The parasitic load was also quantified by RT-qPCR in skin biopsies sampled at the end of the study.Results: The infection by L. (V) braziliensis induced the expression of all the growth factors at day 15 of infection. One month after infection, EGF and TGFβ1 were expressed in all hamsters with inverse ratio. While the EGF and FGF levels decreased between day 15 and 30 of infection, the TGFβ1 increased and the PGDF levels did not change. The relative expression of EGF and TGFβ1 increased notably after treatment. However, the increase of EGF was associated with clinical cure while the increase of TGFβ1 was associated with failure to treatment. The amount of parasites in the cutaneous lesion at the end of the study decreased according to the clinical outcome, being lower in the group of cured hamsters and higher in the group of hamsters that had a failure to the treatment.Conclusions: A differential profile of growth factor expression occurred during the infection and response to treatment. Higher induction of TGFβ1 was associated with active disease while the higher levels of EGF are associated with adequate response to treatment. The inversely EGF/TGFβ1 ratio may be an effective biomarker to identify establishment of Leishmania infection and early therapeutic response, respectively. However, further studies are needed to validate the utility of the proposed biomarkers in field conditions.

Role of the Gut Microbiota of Children in Diarrhea Due to the Protozoan Parasite Entamoeba histolytica.

Background. An estimated 1 million children die each year before their fifth birthday from diarrhea. Previous population-based surveys of pediatric diarrheal diseases have identified the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica, the etiological agent of amebiasis, as one of the causes of moderate-to-severe diarrhea in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.Methods. We prospectively studied the natural history of E. histolytica colonization and diarrhea among infants in an urban slum of Dhaka, Bangladesh.Results. Approximately 80% of children were infected with E. histolytica by the age of 2 years. Fecal anti-galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine lectin immunoglobulin A was associated with protection from reinfection, while a high parasite burden and expansion of the Prevotella copri level was associated with diarrhea.Conclusions. E. histolytica infection was prevalent in this population, with most infections asymptomatic and diarrhea associated with both the amount of parasite and the composition of the microbiota.

Haematological and histopathological analysis in South American fish Piaractus mesopotamicus parasitized by monogenean (Dactylogyridae).

Monogeneans are the parasites mostly found on the body surface and gills of fish and can cause large losses in farmed fish. Some studies demonstrate elevated parasitic levels causing hematological alterations. But few of them relate the effects of parasitism on the hematology and histopathology of native freshwater farmed fish. This study evaluated the host-parasite relationship in pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) parasitized by the monogenean Anacanthorus penilabiatus. Hematological and parasitological assessments were obtained in 60 fish captured in a fish farm located in Dourados, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Central Brazil. Fish were analyzed in different categories of parasite number: class I (n=13; 0-200 parasites), class II (n=17; 201-1200 parasites); class III (n=7; 1201-2200 parasites); and class IV (n=23; more than 2200 parasites per host). The highest levels of parasitism caused significant decrease (p<0.05) in the hematocrit, red blood cells (RBC), mean hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and basophils number. Thrombocytes, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and LG-PAS did not present significant difference among the parasitic levels. In contrast, increased number of total leukocytes and lymphocytes were found in highly-parasitized fish. A positive linear correlation (p<0.01) was found between the amount of parasites and fish weight. Histopathology revealed severe hyperplasia, sub-epithelial edema, fusion of the secondary lamellae, focal and multifocal necrosis in highly parasitized fish.

Molecular epidemiological study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the east north of Iran

ObjectiveTo identify and study the epidemiology of Leishmania species isolated from patients with leishmaniasis by PCR method in Sabzevar, Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. MethodsAspirated samples from the lesions of 86 patients with confirmed leishmaniasis used for direct smear preparation. The samples are prepared and cultured in the Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle and Roswell Park Memorial Institute-1640 culture mediums. After extraction of DNA by using phenol-chloroform, parasite kintoplast DNA gene amplification was done by using PCR. The electrophoresis pattern of each species was compared with standard species of Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) and Leishmania major (L. major). ResultsResults of PCR patterns of kintoplast DNA gene suggested that two types of L. tropica and L. major isolated from leishmaniasis patients in Sabzevar and their findings indicated that both species of parasites, L. tropica and L. major are prevalent in Sabzevar. ConclusionsAccording to this information, Sabzevar can be divided in two focal points of dry and dry-wet in terms of leishmaniasis, while it was previously known as the dry focal point. Likewise a significant relationship observed between Leishmania species to time distribution, type of lesion, amount of parasites and infection districts.

Evaluation of leishmanicidal effect of Euphorbia erythadenia extract by in vitro leshmanicidal assay using promastigotes of Leishmania major

To evaluate leishmanicidal effects of Euphorbia erythadenia plant extract. Extraction was done using methanolic Soxhlet of dried and ground aerial parts of the plant. Then, five different extract concentrations, in addition of positive, negative and solvent controls were prepared and added to a 24-well plate containing 40 000 parasites/well. The extract concentrations were 1, 0.5, 0.25, 0.125 and 0.062 5 mg/mL. Amphotricin B (0.5 mg/mL) was used as positive control while negative control contained only culture medium. After 3 d incubation at 25 °C the amount of parasites in each well was determined on each day of experiment microscopially using Neubar chamber. Soxhlet extract as well as amphotricin B killed all parasites at concentration of 1 mg/mL. The leshmanicidal activity of lower doses of extract was dose-dependent. The EC 50 for Soxhlet extracts in dimethylsulfoxide was 0.30 mg/mL. The EC 50 for Soxhlet extracts in methanol was 0.23 mg/mL. No obvious effects from the control solvent on the Leishmania major promastigotes were observed. The Soxhlet extract of Euphorbia erythadenia showed suitable leishmanicidal activity, especially in higher concentration fractions.

Associação da carga parasitária renal com achados laboratoriais em cães com leishmaniose visceral

A leishmaniose visceral canina é uma doença grave e a morte ocorre por falência renal, considerando que os métodos diagnósticos convencionais não possibilitam a classificação clínica do animal. O objetivo deste estudo foi associar a carga parasitária renal aos achados clínicos e histopatológicos em cães com leishmaniose visceral. A análise microscópica revelou predomínio de nefrite intersticial mononuclear de graus variados em 59,3% dos cães avaliados. Entretanto, não houve diferença entre a carga parasitária renal de sintomáticos e oligossintomáticos (P= 0,35). As lesões renais foram de ordem inflamatória e a quantidade de parasitos não influenciaram na característica dessas lesões e nem nas alterações bioquímicas, mesmo em cães com diferentes classificações clínicas.

PO5 GIARDIASIS IN SUSPECTED CELIAC DISEASE

Background and Objectives: Celiac disease (CD) is an immunemediated enteropathy induced by gluten ingestion in a genetically susceptible patient. Giardia lamblia is the most common human parasite with a worldwide distribution and fecal-oral way of transmission. Giardia lamblia has a cosmopolitan distribution. Infected children may have acute or chronic diarrhea, crampy abdominal pain, anorexia, malasorption and poor weight gain and may be misdiagnosed as celiac disease. Diagnosis is usually made by finding the characteristic cysts in stool specimens or by duodenal aspiration. In most cases histology reveals a dense accumulation of the parasites on the surface of the duodenal mucosa with no or only slight inflammation. In rare cases, a dense inflammatory infiltrate with severe mucosal atrophy and increased count of intraepithelial lymphocytes may be seen. If in such cases the amount of parasites is low, the histological picture may mimic celiac disease. We report the case of a child 2 years old who presented poor growth, recurrent aphtous stomatitis, abdominal pain and recurrent diarrhea. No family history of CD. Material and Methods: In suspected CD, were assayed the IgA anti-endomysium antibodies (EmA-IgA) that resulted doubt and the IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (TgA-IgA) that were found weakly positive (17.50UA; normal value 16UA). He was referred to our hospital for further diagnostic. We performed the search for genetic susceptibility of CD; the antibodies assay was repeated after 3 months. These investigations documented the presence of HLADQ2, positivity of EmA-IgA and an increase value of TgA-IgA (20.70UA). In the meantime symptoms worsened, so we proceeded performing the esophagogastroduodenoscopy and duodenal biopsies. The macroscopic appearance of duodenal mucosa was of villous atrophy, but microscopic examination showed a parasitic duodenitis, with the presence of microorganisms like Giardia lamblia. Then was started medical therapy with metronidazole per os for 10 days, and the child continued to eat gluten. Results: Abdominal pain and diarrhea disappeared gradually but rapidly; the parasitological examination was negative on 3 consecutive samples (at 3 weeks after eradication therapy); EmA-IgA and TgAIgA were negative at 1 month after eradication. The follow up to 1 year had confirmed that the increase in IgA was secondary to giardiasis, and that the symptoms were due to the histological damage of the parasite. Conclusions: When investigating a patient with suspected celiac disease (CD), several other conditions must be considered, including potential infection with Giardia lamblia. In doubtful cases like our patient, are of fundamental support an accurate assessment and appropriate follow up.

Detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in patients with HIV/AIDS by using a simplified iron hematoxylin technique

Studies strongly indicate Dientamoeba fragilis as one of the causes of diarrhea in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of D. fragilis associated with the causes of diarrhea in 82 HIV/ AIDS patients hospitalized at the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas from September 2006 to November 2008. In total, 105 samples were collected from 82 patients. Unprotected sex was the most frequent cause of HIV infection (46.3%), followed by the use of injectable or non-injectable drugs (14.6%). Patients presented with viral loads of 49-750,000 copies/ mL (average: 73,849 ± 124,850 copies/mL) and CD4 counts ranging of 2-1,306 cells/mm³ (average: 159 ± 250 cells/mm³). On an average, the odds of obtaining a positive result by using the other techniques (Hoffman, Pons and Janer or Lutz; Ritchie) were 2.7 times higher than the chance of obtaining a positive result by using the simplified iron hematoxylin method. Significant differences were found between the methods (p = 0.003). The other techniques can detect a significantly greater amount of parasites than the simplified iron hematoxylin method, especially with respect to Isospora belli, Cryptosporidium sp., Schistosoma mansoni, and Strongyloides stercoralis, which were not detected using hematoxylin. Endolimax nana and D. fragilis were detected more frequently on using hematoxylin, and the only parasite not found by the other methods was D. fragilis.

Antitrypanosomal Activity of &lt;i&gt;Senna villosa&lt;/i&gt; in Infected Balb/C Mice with Trypanosoma Cruzi during the Sub Acute Phase of Infection

Antitrypanosomal activity of chloroform extract of Senna villosa leaves was evaluated in the sub acute phase of mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Oral doses of 3.3, 6.6 and 13.2 µg/g were tested during 15 days on infected mice BALB/c, beginning treatment 40 days after infection to evaluate specifically the antitrypanosomal activity over the amastigote form of the parasite. Two different amount of parasites (100 and 500) were inoculated to 25 mice for each doses tested. At the end of the assay the animals were sacrificed and cardiac and skeletal tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) for identification and quantification of amastigote nest. In mice infected with 100 parasites, a significant reduction in the number of amastigote nest was observed in cardiac tissue of treated animals at all doses evaluated (p<0.05). An important reduction of amastigote nest was also observed in treated animals and infected with 500 parasites in comparison with no treated mice or treated with allopurinol.

CONTROLE DE PARASITAS INTESTINAIS DE CAPIVARAS (Hydrochaerus hydrachaeris) CRIADAS EM SISTEMA SEMI-EXTENSIVO, NO MUNICÍPIO DE SENADOR GUIMARD SANTOS, ACRE

The capybara (Hydrochaerus hydrachaeris) has been arousing commercial interest for the meat and hide production through handling programs in captivity. It is known that the amount of parasites can affect the survival and the reproductive performance of the parasited animals. Most of the studies on helminthes have been addressed for the taxonomy of those parasites. In this study, capybaras were captured through the construction of snares (after obtaining permission of Ibama/AC), in order to guarantee the number of individuals wanted in the breeding stock, composed by seven adults and five cubs animals, where the adults were distributed like this: a male and six females, belonging to the same group, which were identified with microchips and also weighted. Those animals were conditioned in a picket, composed by dam area, bushes and natural vegetation (shelters). The feces analyses were achieved by Willis Molay technique (fluctuation) five days after the birth, and monthly in the first three months of animal lifespan. The no-parametric test of the Sign was applied (Siegel & Castellan Junior, 2006) for the variable infestation degree. Great parasitic infestations are observed in the period of the rains, in the capybaras livestock, in semi-extensive system, committing the breeding of adult animals and mainly of nestlings. It takes advice six anthelmintic treatments a year, every two months for the adult animals and regarding the young of animals one week after the birth, and about one month after the second anthelmintic treatment. Keywords: Wild animals, anthelminthic treatment, intestinal parasites

Lamblieninfektion als Differenzialdiagnose der Zöliakie in der Duodenalbiopsie

Giardia lamblia is the most common human parasite with a worldwide distribution and fecal-oral way of transmission. Diagnostic procedures include stool examination and gastroduodenoscopy with biopsy or secret aspiration. In most cases histology reveals a dense accumulation of the parasites on the surface of the duodenal mucosa with no or only slight inflammation. In rare cases, a dense inflammatory infiltrate with severe mucosal atrophy and increased count of intraepithelial lymphocytes may be seen. If in such cases the amount of parasites is low, the histological picture may mimic celiac disease. The two presented cases demonstrate the close morphological relationship and show the importance of considering giardiasis in the differential diagnosis in patients with suspected celiac disease.

Spatial distribution of enteroparasites among school children from Guarapuava, State of Paraná, Brazil

The most common infections in human beings are caused by intestinal parasites. They can lead to a number of harmful effects, which could include, among others, intestinal obstruction, malnutrition, iron deficiency anemia, diarrhea, and poor absorption. In Brazil, enteroparasites are one of the main public health issues. The present study aims at analyzing the distribution and frequency of enteroparasite occurrence in 635 children from seven community schools in the city of Guarapuava, Paraná (PR). In addition, we used similarity and diversity indices to analyze the parasite community. We found 475 samples with at least one parasite showing that 75.27% of children had enteroparasites. A smaller fraction (26.73%) of children harbored several parasites (multiparasitism), especially Giardia duodenalis (56%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (18%). Statistical analysis showed that three (out of seven) children communities had higher similarity in frequency and amount of parasites. Our results suggest that the children studied were highly infected by enteroparasites. These levels of infestation could be related to several factors, such as climate, social and economic conditions and characteristics of the parasites.

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SYMPIESIS MARYLANDENSIS GIRAULT (HYMENOPTERA: EULOPHIDAE) IN APPLE ORCHARDS INFESTED BY ITS HOST, THE APPLE BLOTCH LEAFMINER, PHYLLONORYCTER CRATAEGELLA (CLEMENS) (LEPIDOPTERA: GRACILLARIIDAE)

AbstractThe spatial distribution of the eulophid Sympiesis marylandensis Girault was examined in Connecticut in October 1988 and 1989 by vacuum-sampling apple trees in three zones of two apple orchards infested by its gracillariid host, the apple blotch leafminer, Phyllonorycter crataegella (Clemens). The abundance of females of S. marylandensis decreased with increasing distance of the zone or the sampled apple tree from the forest. The abundance of males in different regions of the orchard was similar. In two of three samples, the density of mines of leafminers was significantly higher near the edge than in the center of orchards. Parasitization of leafminers of the second generation and the number of female parasitoids vacuum-sampled during the third generation did not have a similar distributional pattern. We suggest that the amount of parasitism by S. marylandensis would be affected negatively by spraying trees at the border of orchards to kill immigrating pests.

Quantitation of parasitemia by competitive polymerase chain reaction amplification of parasite kDNA minicircles during chronic infection with Trypanosoma cruzi.

Methods for detecting parasitemia in chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection are either insensitive or nonquantitative. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR), used to detect parasite kinetoplast (k) minicircle DNA, has been shown to be virtually 100% sensitive and specific in chronically infected persons. This technique has now been modified to be quantitative by using a competitor DNA. The competitive PCR yields equal amounts of kDNA and competitor PCR products when they are mixed in equimolar ratios. Thus, the amount of parasites can be estimated from the quantity of competitor DNA at the equivalency point. Blood from 5 chronically infected mice gave results consistent with 3-260 parasites/mL, and blood from 1 chronically infected person yielded 4 parasites/mL. These are the first quantitative estimates of parasitemia in chronic T. cruzi infection. This technique could be useful for studying the natural history of T. cruzi infection and the response to therapy.

Cleptoparasitism of Tachysphex terminatus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) by Three Species of Miltogrammini (Diptera: Sarcophagidae)

Three species of miltogrammine flies utilized various phases of the nesting sequence of Tachysphex terminatus (Smith) for parasitic larviposition at two sites in central New York. Phrosinella aurifacies Downes larviposited primarily in temporarily closed wasp entrances. Senotainia vigilans Allen maintained surveillance perches near entrances during the wasp's burrow construction and hunting forays and larviposited on the prey when the wasp was preoccupied with provisioning activities. S. trilineata (Van der Wulp) was attracted by the wasp's provisioning flight and attacked the prey in midair or on the ground, larvipositing almost always in the presence of the wasp. T. terminatus attempted to prevent larviposition by the flies or, if larviposition occurred, to remove maggots from the prey using the mandibles. These attempts included face-offs, chases, and diversionary flights. The difference in the frequencies of cleptoparasitism at Auburn (57.9%) and Chittenango (30.6%) reflected the effectiveness of maggot removal by T. terminatus and the species of cleptoparasite. S. vigilans, the predominant cleptoparasite at Auburn (32.9% mortality), usually larviposited when the wasp was out of sight and was more successful than S. trilineata at Chittenango (12.2% mortality). P. aurifacies accounted for ca. 20% of the miltogrammine cleptoparasitism at both sites. The two generations of wasps each summer were afflicted by the same amount of parasitism.

Plasmodium falciparum: Modifications of the In vitro Culture Conditions Improving Parasitic Yields

We attempted to optimize some of the variables involved in the in vitro culturing of Plasmodium falciparum. Irrespective of the isolates used, suspension cultures in glucose-enriched RPMI-1640 medium buffered with TES yielded about twice the amount of parasites than could be obtained from static, thin-layer cultures with HEPES-buffered RPMI-1640 without additional glucose. In suspension cultures, methylcellulose (1 mg/ml) was added to protect the erythrocytes. In addition the erythrocytes were found to be more suitable for culturing P. falciparum when stored as a concentrate in saline-adenine-glucose than as whole blood in citrate-phosphate-dextrose. With a cloned isolate of P. falciparum (Tak9/clone 96) a further stimulation of the final parasitemia could be achieved by supplementing the medium with hypoxanthine (50 micrograms/ml) and reduced glutathione (600 micrograms/ml). Moreover, we identified hypoxanthine and glutathione as two of the factors critical for the ability of human serum to support the growth of the parasites. These modifications give a two- to four-fold increase in the final parasitemia over the original Trager-Jensen culture method, thus allowing more parasites to be isolated for biochemical studies.

Possible Mechanism for Synergism between Bacillus thuringiensis and the Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Parasitoid, Apanteles melanoscelus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Gypsy moth larvae, Lymantria dispar L., were fed various doses of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner and parasitized by Apanteles melanoscelus (Ratzeburg) before or after infection. The pathogen did not directly influence, nor was it influenced by, the parasitoid. Development of those host larvae which survived doses of B. thuringiensis was delayed compared to that of uninfected larvae. Hosts treated in the 2nd instar and held 10 days were attacked to a greater extent than similarly held, nontreated hosts of the same age, probably because more of the former had not yet molted to the 4th instar. The pathogen-induced developmental lag may explain the relatively high amount of parasitism by A. melanoscelus in B. thuringiensis field plots.