Diphyllobothrium Research Articles

Release of live baitfish by recreational anglers drives fish pathogen introduction risk.

Emerging diseases of wildlife are an existential threat to biodiversity, and human-mediated movements of live animals are a primary vector of their spread. Wildlife disease risk analyses offer an appealing alternative to precautionary approaches because they allow for explicit quantification of uncertainties and consideration of tradeoffs. Such considerations become particularly important in high-frequency invasion pathways with hundreds of thousands of individual vectors, where even low pathogen prevalence can lead to substantial risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the landscape-level dynamics of human behavior-mediated pathogen introduction risk in the context of a high-frequency invasion pathway. One such pathway is the use and release of live fish used as bait by recreational anglers. We used a stochastic risk assessment model parameterized by angler survey data from Minnesota, USA, to simulate one year of fishing in Minnesota and estimate the total number of risky trips for each of three pathogens: viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus, the microsporidian parasite Ovipleistophora ovariae, and the Asian fish tapeworm Schizocotyle acheilognathi. We assessed the number of introductionsunder four scenarios: current/baseline conditions, outbreak conditions (increased pathogen prevalence), source-focused control measures (decreased pathogen prevalence), and angler-focused control measures (decreased rates of release). We found that hundreds of thousands of introduction events can occur per year, even for regulated pathogens at low pathogen prevalence. Reducing the rate of illegal baitfish release had significant impact on risky trips in scenarios where a high number of anglers were involved, but was less impactful in circumstances with limited outbreaks and fewer affected anglers. In contrast, reducing pathogen prevalence in the source populations of baitfish had relatively little impact. In order to make meaningful changes in pathogen introduction risk, managers should focus efforts on containing local outbreaks and reducing illegal baitfish release to reduce pathogen introduction risk. Our study also demonstrates the risk associated with high-frequency invasion pathways and the importance of incorporating human behaviors into wildlife disease models and risk assessments.

Monitoring of soil transmitted helminth (STH) Helminthiasis on school-age children in final garbage dump, Bantar Gebang, East Bekasi

The prevalence of helminthiasis in West Java is 13.9%, but there is no data on STH helminthiasis on school-age children in the final garbage dump (FGD), Bantar Gebang, East Bekasi, Indonesia. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor STH helminthiasis on school-age children living around FGD. This study aims to determine the description of helminthiasis on school-age children who live in the FGD Bantar Gebang, Indonesia. This type of research is descriptive quantitative with a cross-sectional design. The sample in this study consisted of 79 stool children aged 5-9 years, 5 g of fly vectors from wet, dry, and soil were taken from 36 locations around the FGD. STH examination on stool, flies, and soil samples was carried out using the native, Harada Mori, flotation, and sedimentation methods. All data were analyzed using a descriptive approach to determine the percentage of the incidence of STH. The results of this study, among others, from 79 children there were six (7.60%) children infected with STH with the genus or species Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura. As for the 18 points of soil extraction, there were 12 (66.7%) positive points containing hookworm larvae, while the flies found were more dominant in Musca domestica than Chrysomya sp. with worm parasites attached to the fly's body are Ascaris lumbricoides, Diphyllobothrium latum. Enterobius vermicularis, hookworm, Hymenolepis sp., Schistosoma sp., Trichuris trichiura. The conclusion of this study is percentage incidence of STH helminthiasis on school-age children living in FGD Bantar Gebang is 7.60% which is in the low category.

Evaluation of the good quality and parasitic purity of fish from lake Ladoga

Freshwater fish is one of the most valuable resources of inland waters. Raw fish is a perishable product, therefore, the assessment of product freshness is the most important indicator of its safety. In addition, in relation to freshwater fish, the indicator of parasitic purity is of particular importance, since fish is an intermediate host of pathogens of parasitic diseases transmitted to humans.The studies were carried out in the summerautumn period. The objects of research were samples of chilled freshly caught fish from the southern part of Lake Ladoga. Veterinary and sanitary examination of fish was carried out in accordance with the Veterinary Rules for the appointment and conduct of veterinary and sanitary examination of fish, aquatic invertebrates and fish products from them intended for processing and sale by organoleptic, physicochemical and microscopic methods. Parasitological examination included external examination, parasitological dissection of the fish, examination of muscle tissue by the method of parallel cuts and compressor. As a result, the studied samples were recognized as fresh in terms of organoleptic, physicochemical and microscopic parameters. An external examination of the eyes revealed damage to the lens of the eye by metacercariae of trematodes Diplostomum sp., gill filaments of roach were affected by monogenetic flukes Dactylogyrus sp. Pigmented areas of localization of Posthodiplostomum cuticola metacercariae, the so-called «black-spotted disease», were noted on the surface of the body of fish of the cyprinid family.During parasitological autopsy and examination of the abdominal cavity, the surface of the internal organs of the bream, the larva of Ligula intestinalis was found, and the plerocercoids of Diphyllobothrium latum were found in the caviar of two individuals of the pike. As a result of a compressor study of the muscle tissue of pike, crucian carp, roach, rudd, perch, and bream, Paracoenogonimus ovatus metacercariae were identified. Of the parasites found in the samples of the studied fish, D. latum is of epidemiological significance, the rest of the pathogens are not dangerous to humans, the sanitary assessment of the fish should be given on the basis of the presentation of the product.

Prevalence of Fish Tapeworm – Diphyllobothrium latum in Commercial Fish Farms of Chitwan District, Nepal

Diphyllobothrium latum, commonly known as “fish- tapeworm”, has a zoonotic importance as it causes Diphyllobothriasis in humans. Fish, one of the highly consumed meat sources by human, also acts as second intermediate host for D. latum. There are several reports indicating consumption of D. latum infested poorly cooked fish causing Diphyllobothriasis in human. Thus, D. latum in fish can be considered as a major risk factor for Diphyllobothriasis in humans. Despite being a public health concern, no scientific data regarding the prevalence of D. latum in fish population of commercial fish farms of Nepal exists. The objective of this study was to bridge this knowledge gap by estimating the prevalence of D. latum in commercial fish farms of Chitwan district of Nepal. The study was conducted in six municipalities of Chitwan, Nepal. Out of 46 registered fish farms of Chitwan district, 42 farms were sampled in this study. The fish sampled from each farm were brought to the Histology laboratory of Department of Aquatic Resource Management of Agriculture and Forestry University, Nepal maintaining cold chain system and were dissected for feces collection. For qualitative parasitological examination of feces, sedimentation and centrifugal flotation method were used. Out of 42 farms sampled, 16 (38.10%) fish farms were found positive for presence of any kind of gastrointestinal parasites. Out 42 commercial fish farms examined, 9 (21.4%) farms were found positive for D. latum. Besides, D. latum fish farms were also found positive for Contracaecum sp. (19%), Coccidia (11.9%) and Eustrongyloides (2.4%). This research indicated that the prevalence of D. latum was more than 20% in commercial fish farms of Chitwan district showing possibility of zoonotic transmission to human population. Management practices of fish farmers must include ways to prevent D. latum infestation in fish population. Moreover, general public should be made aware about prevalence of D. latum in fish and its possible risk to human health along with its preventive measures for safe fish consumption.

Prevalence of gastro-intestinal and haemoparasitic infections among domestic cats of Kerala.

The population of domesticated cats has drastically increased during the last decades. With the recently identified rise in cat population an upsurge in the parasitic infections associated with domestic cats is evident. A total of 122 domestic cats were screened for gastro-intestinal and haemoparasites. Screening for gastro-intestinal parasites revealed an overall prevalence of 19 per cent (23/122). Ancylostoma spp. was the major gastro-intestinal parasite noticed (61 per cent) followed by Toxocara cati (13.04 per cent), Isospora spp. (8.7 per cent), Diphyllobothrium latum (4.35 per cent) and mixed infection of these (13 per cent). Blood smear examination revealed Cytauxzoon spp. in three cats (2.46 per cent) and Babesia spp. in two cats (1.6 per cent). None of the cats were positive for gamonts of Hepatozoon spp. Molecular analysis revealed Hepatozoon spp. infection in seven cats (5.7 per cent), Cytauxzoon spp. in 29 cats (23.8 per cent) and Babesia spp. in two cats (1.6 per cent). Present study highlights the inevitability of molecular techniques in the identification of haemoparasites. Establishment of proper preventive measures are required to control parasitic infection among domestic cats.

Diphyllobothriasis: diagnosis, treatment, prophylaxis

Helminthiases are found in the group of the most common and socially significant human infectious diseases. According to current data, at least 1 billion people are infected with helminths or pathogenic infections. One of the most important and widespread human biohelminth parasites in the Russian Federation is the broad-spectrum tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum). The absence of specific clinical diagnosis, as well as the predominance of latent forms, determines the presence of diphyllobothriasis disease. The aim of the study was to summarize current data on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical and laboratory manifestations and therapy of diphyllobothriasis. Materials and methods. Clinical cases of diphyllobothriasis were analyzed among patients who were treated in January to November 2022 in the departments of the daytime period of clinical observation of the infectious diseases hospital named after S.P. Botkin, as well as the department of incidents detected and the clinical diagnostic center of Pediatric Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases. Cases of the use of diseases, data from laboratory and instrumental studies, and therapy were evaluated. The most informative of them is given as a clinical example. The article also describes in detail the current biological and epidemiological features of Diphyllobothrium latum, the characteristic clinical picture of diseases and the most frequent complications. Results. Diphyllobothriasis still remains one of the most vulnerable biohelminthiases in Russia, typical for some patients of different ages. Verification of the diagnosis of “diphyllobothriasis” can be of the nature of an “accidental finding” during screening scatological or instrumental studies; upon admission, patients themselves begin to suspect helminthiasis when fragments of the strobila worm are found in the feces. To identify a conditional diagnosis of the pattern of clinical and laboratory infection (exclusion of a complicated course of diseases, helminthiases of a different etiology) and to determine risk factors for the transmission of diseases for the prevention of infections.

Epizootological situation on particular helminthosis of the carnivores (Canidae) - Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) in the territory of Arctic Yakutia

In this article, the authors present the results of a helminthological study of the Vulpes lagopus in the Arctic territory of Yakutia. On the territory of Yakutia, three species of representatives of the Canidae family live in a wild state - the wolf, the red fox and the Arctic fox. Representatives of the Canidae family are among the most important commercial animals whose fur is highly valued. Over the last decade, the number of fur-bearing animals in the tundra zone of Yakutia has increased significantly. As the authors point out, monitoring of the epizootic situation for especially dangerous Helminthiasis is an integral part of a set of measures to preserve the health of animals and the population in the Arctic zone. The objects of the study are Arctic foxes. Materials for the study were brought from December to March in 2020 from 26, 2021 - 36, 2022 - 162, 2023 - 121 Arctic foxes, carcasses, internal organs and tissues. According to the results of helminthological studies, the composition of helminths was represented by 16 species. The main components of the helminth fauna, in terms of frequency of occurrence and very high rates of invasion intensity, are: the cestode Alveococcus multilocularis, found in 98.1% of the studied Arctic foxes, up to 18,000 ind. of mature Alveococcus in one animal, the nematode Toxascaris leonine occurs in 92.1%, on average up to 34.8±1.6 ind. for one Arctic fox. Also, it was found that the infection of arctic foxes with larvae of Trichinella spiralis is 3%, high intensity of invasion, the cestode Diphyllobothrium latum were infected with up to 5.5% of the examined, on average, 3.5 sp. for one Arctic fox.

Fasciola hepatica en preescolares de un centro poblado en una región altoandina del Perú

Introduction: Fasciola hepatica infection is a globally distributed, neglected and underdiagnosed zoonotic disease. Objectives: To determine the frequency of Fasciola hepatica infection among a preschool population in Tartar Chico, Baños del Inca, Cajamarca. Methods: Cross-sectional study in 48 children of an initial educational institution. Parents delivered 3 stool samples for the serial parasitological study and completed an epidemiological survey. The identification of F. hepatica and other parasites was carried out with the Lumbreras rapid sedimentation tests, direct examination, and Kato-Katz. For descriptive analysis, frequency and percentages were used, for the bivariate analysis, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used. Results: The frequency of F. hepatica was 4,17%. In addition, a proportion of 8,33% of Ascaris lumbricoides, 4,17% of Diphyllobothrium pacificum and 2,08% of hookworms; as well as contaminating parasites Entamoeba coli, Blastocystis hominis. Conclusions: A frequency of 4,17% of fascioliasis was found among preschoolers from a high Andean community in Peru.

An examination of nervous system revealed unexpected immunoreactivity of both secretory apparatus and excretory canals in plerocercoids of two broad tapeworms (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea).

Dibothriocephalus ditremus and Dibothriocephalus latus are diphyllobothriidean tapeworms autochthonous to Europe. Their larval stages (plerocercoids) may seriously alter health of their intermediate fish hosts (D. ditremus) or cause intestinal diphyllobothriosis of the final human host (D. latus). Despite numerous data on the internal structure of broad tapeworms, many aspects of the morphology and physiology related to host–parasite co-existence remain unclear for these 2 species. The main objective of this work was to elucidate functional morphology of the frontal part (scolex) of plerocercoids, which is crucial for their establishment in fish tissues and for an early attachment in final hosts. The whole-mount specimens were labelled with different antibodies and examined by confocal microscope to capture their complex 3-dimensional microanatomy. Both species exhibited similar general pattern of immunofluorescent signal, although some differences were observed. In the nervous system, FMRF amide-like immunoreactivity (IR) occurred in the bi-lobed brain, 2 main nerve cords and surrounding nerve plexuses. Differences between the species were found in the structure of the brain commissures and the size of the sensilla. Synapsin IR examined in D. ditremus occurred mainly around FMRF amide-like IR brain lobes and main cords. The unexpected finding was an occurrence of FMRF amide-like IR in terminal reservoirs of secretory gland ducts and excretory canals, which has not been observed previously in any tapeworm species. This may indicate that secretory/excretory products, which play a key role in host–parasite relationships, are likely to contain FMRF amide-related peptide/s.

Ups and downs of infections with the broad fish tapeworm Dibothriocephalus latus in Europe (Part II) and Asia from 1900 to 2020.

The broad fish tapeworm, Dibothriocephalus latus (Diphyllobothriidea), is the most important causative agent of diphyllobothriosis, a fish-borne zoonosis, in Europe. Part I of this review focused on the occurrence of D. latus in northwestern and central Europe, particularly in Fennoscandia, the Baltic, the Alpine lakes and Danube River regions during 1900-2020. Part II summarises data on D. latus from the European and Asian parts of Russia and from Asian countries. The tapeworm has occurred throughout Russia, with the most important foci in (i) the Republic of Karelia in the northwest of European Russia, (ii) the Volga River basin in the central and southern parts of European Russia, (iii) the Ob-Irtysh rivers region in the Ural region, (iv) the Yenisei-Lena rivers region in Siberia, and (v) the Lake Baikal basin in Siberia. The incidence of diphyllobothriosis has declined in recent decades, especially in European Russia, but zoonosis is still prevalent in some regions of Siberia. Cases reported from Arctic regions, the region around Lake Baikal, and the Pacific coast, including the Amur basin, however, were probably misidentifications with D. dendriticus and/or D. nihonkaiensis. No other Asian country where D. latus findings represented either imported cases or misidentifications had natural focus of diphyllobothriosis. Patterns of distribution of D. latus occurrence were similar in all Eurasian foci between 1900 and 2020. The numbers of records were associated with historical and epidemiological milestones of particular time periods.

MACROPARASITES OF GILA ORCUTTI AND PIMEPHALES PROMELAS (ACTINOPTERYGII: CYPRINIDAE) IN THE SANTA CLARA RIVER, VENTURA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

Freshwater fishes in the southwestern United States live in some of the most highly modified habitats in the country. As a result, the relatively small number of native fish species has been impacted in many ways, including the introduction of nonnative fishes and their parasites. Both Gila orcutti and Pimephales promelas have been introduced to the Santa Clara Drainage, the former is native to adjacent drainages in southern California, while the latter was introduced from the eastern United States. Two hundred and fourteen G. orcutti (arroyo chub) and 18 P. promelas (fathead minnow) were collected and necropsied in June through September 2017 and May through September 2018. Eight macroparasite taxa were collected from these fishes, including 6 native and 2 nonnative parasites. Four taxa of parasites were shared between G. orcutti and P. promelas: Schyzocotyle acheilognathi (Asian fish tapeworm), diplostomid metacercariae, larval acuariid cysts, and Lernaea cyprinacea (anchor worm). This study also reports the first host-association records of G. orcutti with Gyrodactylus sp., S. acheilognathi, diplostomid metacercariae, Rhabdochona sp., Contracaecum sp., and larval acuariid cysts in the Santa Clara River. Additionally, it provides the first host-association records of P. promelas with larval acuariid cysts in the Santa Clara River. This study identifies new host-parasite associations that may be useful for future conservation efforts.

Новые данные по археопаразитологии Северного Причерноморья (по материалам некрополя Фанагории)

Introduction. The article presents the results of archaeoparasitological analysis of the Phanagoria necropolis materials. Methods and materials. We studied soil samples obtained during the processing of anthropological material (sacrums) from 45 individuals. Results. The eggs of two species of intestinal parasites - human whipworm (Trichuris trichiura) and broad tapeworm (Diphyllobothrium latum) were found. Analysis. Consideration of the obtained data in the historical and cultural context has shown that similar, relatively high frequency of parasitosis caused by human whipworm is observed virtually in all investigated archaeological monuments from the Mediterranean, which are synchronic to the studied period of existence of Phanagoria. This may indicate the absence of fundamental differences in the causes of the incidence of trichuriasis between the “ancient centers” and their periphery. The absence of statistically reliable differences in the incidence of trichuriasis between epochs, and also between gender and age groups, indicate the same intensity of the factors leading to the infection of the ancient population of Phanagoria with this pathogen in all studied time periods of the city, regardless of gender and age. The same route of transmission of human worms and a number of intestinal infections also indicates the assumed high frequency of the latter. The detection of Diphillobothrium latum eggs indicates the presence of freshwater fish in the diet, which led to the assumption of a high importance of the latter for the fishery in Phanagoria. Diphillobothriasis infestation in more remote areas also cannot be ruled out, given the presence of roads and the ability to move to other river basins. Authors’ contribution. S.M. Slepchenko organized the study, conducted microscopy, processed and interpreted obtained data. Writing of the article. A.N. and O.M. Voroshilov conducted excavations, composited archaeological context, involved in interpreting the data. M.O. Filimonova performed laboratory processing of the crosses and microscopy of the material. N.G. Svirkina carried out the selection of sacrums stored in the museum of the Phanagoria Reserve.

КЛИНИЧЕСКИЙ СЛУЧАЙ ЛЕЙОМИОМЫ ЖЕЛУДКА И В12 ДЕФИЦИТНОЙ АНЕМИИ НА ФОНЕ ХРОНИЧЕСКОГО ОПИСТОРХОЗА

This case report demonstrates the interrelations between several clinical conditions: gastric leiomyoma, vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, and chronic opistorchiasis. A patient from diphyllobotriosis and opistorchiasis endemic territory presented with the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. An endoscopic investigation found a 2 cm submucous node on the posterior wall of the stomach. Upon histological analysis, the node contained spindle-shaped cells with cigar-shaped nuclei without active mitoses and cell atypia. The immunohistochemical reaction to desmin and α-actin of smooth muscles was positive, while no CD117 and CD34 expression was found. These findings defined the node as a gastric leiomyoma. Multiple stool samples prepared with the Kato technique contained no Diphyllobothrium latum but Opistorchis felineus eggs were found. Kato method cannot rule out diphyllobotriosis completely. Simultaneously, opistorchiasis has no direct pathogenic interrelation with vitamin B12 deficiency anemia. Leiomyomas express the VPAC2 receptors. This makes the gastric glands more sensitive to the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) that inhibits gastric secretion. Another possible mechanism that contributes to the vitamin B12 deficiency is autoimmune, where leiomyomas induce the antibodies against the Castle factor. However, the role of a combination of leiomyoma and opistorchiasis is still under discussion. Thus, this case should encourage the future research on the contribution of opistorchiasis to the onset of gastric leiomyoma.

A review on fish-borne zoonotic parasites in Iran.

Fish is a great nutritious food and provides quality protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals. This contributes significantly to the economy and food security in Iran. However, there are safety concerns related to the presence of zoonotic parasites. The objective of this study is, therefore, to review fish-borne zoonotic parasites in Iran. Keywords such as fish-borne, parasites, zoonotic, Iran, and some names of fish-borne zoonotic parasites were searched in databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Elsevier, SID, Magiran, Irandoc, Google Scholar and the World Health Organization. The most common fish-borne parasites with zoonotic potential identified in reports in the literature were the protozoa Balantidium spp., Myxobolus spp. and Sarcosystis sp.; the trematodes Heterophyes heterophyes and Clinostomum complanatum; the cestodes Ligula intestinalis and Diphyllobothrium latum; the nematodes Pseudoterranova sp., Anisakis spp., Contracaecum spp., Raphidascaris spp., Eustrongylides spp. and Capillaria sp.; and the acanthocephal Corynosoma spp. The potential risk factors for the transmission of fish-borne zoonotic parasites to humans are consumption of raw or undercooked infected fish, contact with contaminated water and contact with infected fish. There is a need for epidemiological surveillance of fish for parasites with zoonotic potential and of occurrence of infections in humans to better understand the public health significance and design prevention programs.

Mitochondrial and microsatellite data show close genetic relationships between Dibothriocephalus latus from South America (Argentina) and Europe (the Alpine lakes region).

The most frequent causative agent of diphyllobothriosis, a fish-borne parasitic zoonosis, is the broad fish tapeworm Dibothriocephalus latus distributed mainly throughout the Holarctic region. The larval stages of the tapeworm were also detected in native and introduced freshwater fish in several lakes in South America, particularly in the north-western Patagonia in Argentina. The main objective of the present study was to determine the genetic structure of D. latus from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brown trout (Salmo trutta), and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from Gutiérrez Lake and Alicura Reservoir in Argentina using the sequences of three mitochondrial genes (cox1, cob, and nad3) and six polymorphic microsatellite loci. The results were compared with the corresponding molecular data of D. latus from Europe (Switzerland and Italy; the Alpine lakes region) and Asia (Siberia, Russia). Only one concatenated haplotype identical with the con-Ha1 specific for D. latus from the Alpine lakes region was detected in all individuals from Argentina. Three different alleles were detected in five out of six analysed microsatellite loci, indicating the presence of three sets of chromosomes. The same structure of microsatellite loci was recently observed in D. latus from Switzerland and Italy, in which triploidy was previously confirmed by cytogenetic study. The data on the mitochondrial genes, the allelic structure of microsatellite loci, and the principal coordinate analysis showed close genetic relationships between D. latus from Argentina and the Alpine lakes region, thus supporting the hypothesis of the European origin of the broad fish tapeworm from South America.

Fish tapeworms (Cestoda) in the molecular era: achievements, gaps and prospects.

The tapeworms of fishes (Chondrichthyes and Actinopterygii) account one-third (1670 from around 5000) of the total tapeworm (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda) species diversity. In total 1186 species from 9 orders occur as adults in elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and chimaeras), and 484 species from 8 orders mature in ray-finned fishes (referred to here as teleosts). Teleost tapeworms are dominated by freshwater species (78%), but only 3% of elasmobranch tapeworms are known from freshwater rays of South America and Asia (Borneo). In the last 2 decades, vast progress has been made in understanding species diversity, host associations and interrelationships among fish tapeworms. In total, 172 new species have been described since 2017 (149 from elasmobranchs and 23 from teleosts; invalidly described taxa are not included, especially those from the Oriental region). Molecular data, however, largely limited to a few molecular markers (mainly 28S rDNA, but also 18S and cox1), are available for about 40% of fish tapeworm species. They allowed us to significantly improve our understanding of their interrelationships, including proposals of a new, more natural classification at the higher-taxonomy level (orders and families) as well as at the lower-taxonomy level (genera). In this review, we summarize the main advances and provide perspectives for future research.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in HIV/AIDS-Infected Patients Attending Clinics in Selected Areas of the Eastern Cape

Introduction: Intestinal parasites in HIV and AIDS patients increase the risk of gastroenteritis, adding to the complexity of the virus. According to the literature, their interactions are one of the factors leading to HIV replication and progression of AIDS in Africa. Chronic immunosuppression caused by HIV infection makes people vulnerable to parasitic infections, and this is associated with a CD4+ cell count of less than 100. The study describes the prevalence of intestinal parasites in patients attending HIV/AIDS clinics in certain areas of the Eastern Cape. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 patients from HIV/AIDS clinics in the Eastern Cape. Tambo Municipality and Amatole Municipality were the municipalities covered. These included the Ngangalizwe Community Clinic, Tsolo Gateway Clinic, Idutywa Health Centre, and Nqamakwe Health Centre. The stools of 600 participants were examined using direct wet saline/iodine embedding, formal ether concentration technique, and modified Ziehl–Neelsen methods. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 28.2 years. They were predominantly female (79.9%), mostly single (63.6%), and lived in rural (65.2%) and urban areas (34.8%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was determined to be 30% (180/600) after screening 600 stool samples. The most frequently detected parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides (55.9%), Balantidium coli (15.1%), Entamoeba coli (11.3%), Diphyllobothrium latum (4.3%), Taenia species (3.8%), Schistosoma mansoni (1.6%), and Cryptosporidium spp. (1.6%). Males were affected more frequently (39.2%) than females (27.9%). The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.017). Among the identified intestinal parasites, A. lumbricoides, B. coli, and Taenia spp. were found at all four sites. Conclusion: This study has shed light on the high burden of intestinal parasites in HIV/AIDS patients in the Eastern Cape. Medication adherence, deworming, and sanitary hygiene practices are needed to enhance the control of infection in the affected communities and hence contribute to the control of the HIV pandemic.

Intestinal parasites in the Neolithic population who built Stonehenge (Durrington Walls, 2500 BCE).

Durrington Walls was a large Neolithic settlement in Britain dating around 2500 BCE, located very close to Stonehenge and likely to be the campsite where its builders lived during its main stage of construction. Nineteen coprolites recovered from a midden and associated pits at Durrington Walls were analysed for intestinal parasite eggs using digital light microscopy. Five (26%) contained helminth eggs, 1 with those of fish tapeworm (likely Dibothriocephalus dendriticus) and 4 with those of capillariid nematodes. Analyses of bile acid and sterol from these 5 coprolites show 1 to be of likely human origin and the other 4 to likely derive from dogs. The presence of fish tapeworm reveals that the Neolithic people who gathered to feast at Durrington Walls were at risk of infection from eating raw or undercooked freshwater fish. When the eggs of capillariids are found in the feces of humans or dogs it normally indicates that the internal organs (liver, lung or intestines) of animals with capillariasis have been eaten, and eggs passed through the gut without causing disease. Their presence in multiple coprolites provides new evidence that internal organs of animals were consumed. These novel findings improve our understanding of both parasitic infection and dietary habits associated with this key Neolithic ceremonial site.

The timing and development of infections in a fish-cestode host-parasite system.

The cestode Schistocephalus solidus is a common parasite in freshwater threespine stickleback populations, imposing strong fitness costs on their hosts. Given this, it is surprising how little is known about the timing and development of infections in natural stickleback populations. Previous work showed that young-of-year stickleback can get infected shortly after hatching. We extended this observation by comparing infection prevalence of young-of-year stickleback from 3 Alaskan populations (Walby, Cornelius and Wolf lakes) over 2 successive cohorts (2018/19 and 2019/20). We observed strong variation between sampling years (2018 vs 2019 vs 2020), stickleback age groups (young-of-year vs 1-year-old) and sampling populations.

Prevalence and Intensity of Gastrointestinal Helminths of Clarias gariepinus from selected Fish Farms in Makurdi, Benue State

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of Clarias gariepinus from three selected Fish Farms in Makurdi, Benue State was evaluated. 90 C. gariepinus comprising 30 samples each were randomly obtained from three selected fish farms in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria designated as farms A, B, and C. They were identified based on external features and sexes were determined. The lengths and weights were measured and recorded before dissection. Parasites observed were identified using morphological characteristics. Of the 90 C. gariepinus examined, 51 (56.67%) samples were infected and observed to harbour 139 different helminths parasites. Of the 139 helminth parasites belonging to 2 taxonomic groups of parasites (1 species of Cestoda – Diphyllobothrium latum and 3 species of Nematoda – Capillaria spp., Camallanus spp., and Eustrongylides sp). 139 helminth parasites comprising of 49, 37 and 53 parasites were recovered from 18, 13 and 20 infected fish from fish farms A, B and C, respectively. The highest prevalence (66.67%) was recorded for fish samples from Farm C fish farm while the lowest (43.33%) was recorded for fish samples from Farm B. The prevalence of parasitic infection from Farm A (60.0%) and Farm C fish farm (66.67%) was significantly higher than that of Farm B (43.33%) (p<0.05). Variations in parasite prevalence existed between the maleand females across the three farms being higher in females (64.71%) compared to males (53.85%) from Farm A but higher in males from Farm B (44.44%) and Farm C fish farm (93.75%) compared to the female (42.86% and 35.71%), respectively. Helminth parasites were most abundant in the stomach (40.82%) of the infected C. gariepinus from Farm A but least in the rectum (8.16%). In contrast, helminth parasites were most abundant in the intestine C. gariepinus from farm B (35.14%) and Farm C fish farm (33.96%) but least in the rectum (16.22%) and (16.98%) from victory and Farm C fish farms, respectively. Generally, the highest number of helminth parasites was recorded for the intestine while the least was recorded for the rectum except for Farm A where the highest number of helminth parasites was recorded for the stomach of the infected fish samples. Variation in parasite prevalence existed among the length and weight groups of C. gariepinus across the three farms. Generally, a higher rate of parasitic infection was observed in the larger size of C. gariepinus than in the smaller ones.