Final Host Research Articles

Opposing life history strategies allow grass shrimp parasites to avoid a conflict of interest.

A conflict of interest occurs when parasites manipulate the behavior of their host in contradictory ways to achieve different goals. In grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio), trematode parasites that use shrimp as an intermediate host cause the shrimp to be more active than usual around predators, whereas bopyrid isopod parasites that use shrimp as a final host elicit the opposite response. Since these parasites are altering the host's behavior in opposing directions, a conflict of interest would occur in co-infected shrimp. Natural selection should favor attempts to resolve this conflict through avoidance, killing, or sabotage. In a field survey of shrimp populations in four tidal creeks in the Cape Fear River, we found a significant negative association between the two parasites. Parasite abundance was negatively correlated in differently sized hosts, suggesting avoidance as a mechanism. Subsequent mortality experiments showed no evidence of early death of co-infected hosts. In behavior trials, co-infected shrimp did not show significantly different behavior from singly infected or uninfected shrimp, suggesting that neither parasite sabotages the manipulation of the other. Taken together, our results suggest that rather than sabotaging or killing one another, bopyrid and trematode parasites tend to infect differently sized hosts, thus avoiding a conflict and confirming the importance of testing assumptions in natural contexts.

Is the European badger a new host for Dirofilaria immitis? The first records in Greece

Dirofilaria immitis is a ubiquitous nematode parasite with zoonotic potential, transmitted by mosquitoes, that causes heartworm disease in various animal species. Dogs are the parasite’s typical final host, and wild carnivores represent the parasite’s reservoir in nature. Studies on D. immitis infections in wild animals are essential to assess infection pressure for domestic animals, and until now, there has been only one infection case reported in a European badger (Meles meles). The current report describes the first two European badger cases with cardiovascular dirofilariosis in Greece. Two adult male badgers were rescued in Heraklion and Chania, Crete Island, and admitted to “ANIMA -Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre” in Athens. The detailed clinical examination revealed that the first badger suffered from severe broncho-pneumonitis while the second one displayed clinical signs associated with severe brain trauma. Blood samples were taken for haematology and biochemistry analyses during their short hospitalisation period. In addition, different routine diagnostic tests were carried out, including heartworm antigen testing (ELISA) and the modified Knott’s test for microfilariae. Both badgers were positive in both tests. The animals died a few hours after their admission and the detailed necropsies followed, revealed the presence of three parasites in each animal’s right heart, morphologically identified as adults of D. immitis. These findings add the European badger in the list of additional potential reservoir hosts for D. immitis and highlight the potential role of wildlife for companion animals and human health.

Phylogenetic Relationships of Avian Cestodes from Brine Shrimp and Congruence with Larval Morphology

Determining molecular markers for parasites provides a useful tool for their identification, particularly for larval stages with few distinguishable diagnostic characters. Avian cestodes play a key role in the food webs and biodiversity of hypersaline wetlands, yet they remain understudied. Using naturally infected Artemia, we identified cestode larvae (cysticercoids), assessed their genetic diversity, and explored phylogenetic relationships in relation to larval morphology and waterbird final hosts. We obtained partial 18S rDNA sequences for 60 cysticercoids of the family Hymenolepidae infecting Artemia spp. from seven localities and three countries (Spain, the USA, and Chile). We present the first DNA sequences for six taxa: Confluaria podicipina, Fimbriarioides sp., Flamingolepis liguloides, Flamingolepis sp. 1, Flamingolepis sp. 2, and Hymenolepis californicus. Intraspecific sequence variation (0.00–0.19% diversity) was lower than intergroup genetic distance (0.7–14.75%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed three main clades: 1—Flamingolepis, 2—Fimbriarioides, 3—Confluaria and Hymenolepis, all of which separated from hymenolepidids from mammals and terrestrial birds. This clear separation among taxa is congruent with previous morphological identification, validating the 18S gene as a useful marker to discriminate at generic/species level. Working with intermediate hosts allows the expansion of knowledge of taxonomic and genetic diversity of cestodes in wildlife, as well as elucidation of their life cycles.

First Report of Bovine Coenurosis in North Macedonia

Abstract Coenurosis is a cystic parasitic disease affecting ruminants and other mammals worldwide. The disease is caused by Coenurus cerebralis, the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps. Sheep and goats are frequently infected, while cases in cattle are rare. Here we describe the first recorded case of bovine coenurosis in North Macedonia. The diagnosis was based on the neurological clinical signs and the postmortem findings of a 1-year-old bull with symptoms typical for coenurosis, i.e. ataxia, circling movements, mild depression and impaired vision. Postmortem, a cyst was found in the left cerebral hemisphere and was confirmed as fertile Coenurus cerebralis by parasitological analysis. These findings suggest that coenurosis should be considered part of the differential diagnosis in cattle with neurological symptoms. This highlights the need for routine surveillance of this disease in livestock and proactive tracking of the parasite in the final hosts to enhance disease management.

First Report of Bovine Coenurosis in North Macedonia

Abstract Coenurosis is a cystic parasitic disease affecting ruminants and other mammals worldwide. The disease is caused by Coenurus cerebralis, the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps. Sheep and goats are frequently infected, while cases in cattle are rare. Here we describe the first recorded case of bovine coenurosis in North Macedonia. The diagnosis was based on the neurological clinical signs and the postmortem findings of a 1-year-old bull with symptoms typical for coenurosis, i.e. ataxia, circling movements, mild depression and impaired vision. Postmortem, a cyst was found in the left cerebral hemisphere and was confirmed as fertile Coenurus cerebralis by parasitological analysis. These findings suggest that coenurosis should be considered part of the differential diagnosis in cattle with neurological symptoms. This highlights the need for routine surveillance of this disease in livestock and proactive tracking of the parasite in the final hosts to enhance disease management.

Prevalence and risk factors of Linguatula spp. in slaughter animals in Tabriz, Iran, and methods for nymphal stage inactivation

Linguatula is a food born zoonotic parasite in which carnivores and herbivores serve as final and intermediate hosts, respectively. Human infection with Linguatula spp. occurs following consumption of raw or undercooked infected internal organs of the intermediate host and/or consumption of water and/or vegetables contaminated with eggs released from final hosts. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and risk factors of Linguatula spp. in sheep, cattle, buffalo, goats and camels slaughtered at the Tabriz abattoir, Iran. In addition, effect of temperature and sodium chloride (NaCl) on survival time of Linguatula spp. nymphs was assessed. For this purpose, 25,520 mesenteric lymph nodes from 2552 animals and the livers and lungs from 656 animals were collected randomly and examined. To evaluate the effect of temperature and NaCl on the survival of Linguatula spp. nymphs in infected livers and lungs, 30 g of each liver and lung with dimensions of 2 × 3 × 4 cm, were exposed to temperatures of −20, 10, 50, 60 and 72 °C and NaCl concentrations of 5 %, 10 %, 15 % and 20 % for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h, in triplicate. Based on the mesenteric lymph nodes, 25.7 % (656 of 2552 animals) were infected with Linguatula spp. Of the 656 liver and lungs assessed, 141 (21.5 %) and 62 (9.5 %) were infected with Linguatula spp., respectively. The rate of infection of mesenteric lymph nodes in all animals was significant with age (P < 0.05), with more older animals infected. In regards to sex, except for camels, more female animals were infected than male animals (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in survival of nymphs based on temperature and/or NaCl and time (P < 0.0001). At 72 h, all temperatures assessed except 10 °C, resulted in all nymphs being inactivated. Sodium chloride was more effective against Linguatula spp. nymphs in livers than in lungs with 100 % efficacy only achieved against nymphs in livers at 20 % concentration after 48 h and at 10 and 15 % concentration after 72 h. Based on these results, heating and application of common salt as a food preservative in meat products reduces the survival time of Linguatula spp. nymphs and their use could decrease the risk of food-born microorganisms.

Molecular identification of Trichobilharzia species in recreational waters in North-Eastern Poland.

In Europe, avian schistosomes of the genus Trichobilharzia are the most common etiological agents involved in human cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch). Manifested by a skin rash, the condition is caused by an allergic reaction to cercariae of nonhuman schistosomes. Humans are an accidental host in this parasite's life cycle, while water snails are the intermediate, and waterfowl are the final hosts. The study aimed to conduct a molecular and phylogenetic analysis of Trichobilharzia species occurring in recreational waters in North-Eastern Poland. The study area covered three water bodies (Lake Skanda, Lake Ukiel, and Lake Tyrsko) over the summer of 2021. In total, 747 pulmonate freshwater snails (Radix spp., Lymnaea stagnalis) were collected. Each snail was subjected to 1-2 h of light stimulation to induce cercarial expulsion. The phylogenetic analyses of furcocercariae were based on the partial sequence of the ITS region (ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, ITS2 and 28SrDNA). For Radix spp. phylogenetic analyses were based on the ITS-2 region. The prevalence of the Trichobilharzia species infection in snails was 0.5%. Two out of 478 (0.4%) L. stagnaliswere found to be infected with Trichobilharzia szidati. Moreover, two out of 269 (0.7%) snails of the genus Radix were positive for schistosome cercariae. Both snails were identified as Radix auricularia. One of them was infected with Trichobilharzia franki and the other with Trichobilharzia sp. Molecular identification of avian schistosome species, both at the intermediate and definitive hosts level, constitutes an important source of information on a potential threat and prognosis of local swimmer's itch occurrence, and helps to determine species diversity in a particular area.

Parasites as Indicators of Biotic Interrelations between Fishes and Waterbirds

The paper deals with the structural features of the waterbirds' cenoses, the fish population composition and distribution of metacercariae of trematodes, whose final hosts are waterbirds, in the model shallow lentic ecosystems of the city of Kyiv (Almazne, Martyshev, Verbne lakes and Sovski ponds). The waterbird cenosis was dominated by ichthyophagous (58.5-75.7&amp;#37;) and pantophagous birds (16.4-41.42&amp;#37;). The black-headed gull &lt;i&gt;Chroicocephalus ridibundus&lt;/i&gt; (21.9-56.7&amp;#37;) prevailed in terms of relative abundance everywhere. The ornithocenoses differed in terms of the subdominant species: in the Almazne lake it was &lt;i&gt;Podiceps cristatus&lt;/i&gt;, in the Martyshev Lake - &lt;i&gt;Sterna hirundo &lt;/i&gt;(14.6&amp;#37;), in the Sovski ponds and Verbne Lake - &lt;i&gt;Anas platyrhynchos&lt;/i&gt; (12.8-20.2&amp;#37;). Differences in the coastal ornithocenoses' composition were confirmed by results of the cluster analysis WPGMA (weighted pair-group centroid (median)); distance measure - 1-Pearson &lt;i&gt;r&lt;/i&gt;). The coastal fish population comprised 24 species, including the native fresh-water (15 species), Ponto-Caspian and Mediterranean self-dispersers (4 species), and alien species - distant invaders (5 species). Parasitological studies revealed trematode metacercariae localized in lens (&lt;i&gt;Diplostomum&lt;/i&gt; sp.) and vitreous body (&lt;i&gt;Tylodelphys clavata&lt;/i&gt;) of the eye, ripples (&lt;i&gt;Apatemon gracilis&lt;/i&gt;), and in the integument of the body (&lt;i&gt;Posthodiplostomum cuticola&lt;/i&gt;). The discriminant analysis enabled to reveal significant differences in the species composition and abundance of trematode metacercariae in the water bodies with different structure of the water ornithocenoses (Wilks' Lambda: approx. 0.92235; &lt;i&gt;F&lt;/i&gt;(8, 510) &amp;#61; 2.6293f) - 2.6293; the dispersion analysis showed confidently lower total number of trematode metacercariae in the Almazne Lake (Wilks' Lambda &amp;#61; 0.87377; &lt;i&gt;F&lt;/i&gt;(6, 432) &amp;#61; 5.0253; &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt;&amp;#60;0.00005).

Genetic diversity and population structure of Echinococcus multilocularis: An in-silico global analysis.

Alveolar echinococcosis is caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, a parasite of zoonotic significance with a wide range of intermediate and final hosts, and the parasite survives successfully in diversified conditions. Plentiful studies have been done to study the genetic structure of the population of the parasite and the level of intimate kinship using mitochondrial (mt) DNA. The present study was conducted to investigate the population structure, genetic variation, and phylogenetic relationship of various isolates of E. multiocularis submitted to GenBank worldwide. Sequences of mt genes (mt-cytochrome c oxidase (cox1), mt-NADH dehydrogenase (nad1)) of E. multilocularis were analyzed to achieve the set goals. A total of 275 and 124 gene sequences of mt-cox1 and mt-nad1 belonging to E. multilocularis, respectively, were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank. The retrieved sequences were subjected to alignment with respective reference sequences using MEGA software. The PopArt software was used to establish median-joining networks, while DnaSp was used to calculate neutrality and diversity indices. MrBayes software was used to investigate the phylogenetic association between haplotypes based on Bayesian phylogeny. Approximately 13 and 20 distinctive haplotypes of nad1 and cox1 genes, respectively, were observed in the present study. In both of the mt genes, diversity indices indicated low haplotype (mt-cox1 = 0.140; mt-nad1 = 0.374) and nucleotide (mt-cox1 = 0.00111; mt-nad1 = 0.00287) diversities. The values of Tajima's D and Fu Fs for a population of both of the genes under study were found to be negative. This study is a maiden attempt to provide insights into the population structure and genetic variation of E. multilocularis on a global scale. However, it is suggested that to better understand the population structure and genetic diversity of E. multilocularis, more geographical locations and amplifications of full-length gene sequences should be considered, which could be helpful in widening the insights into the genetic diversity of E. multilocularis.

МОНИТОРИНГ ВОЗБУДИТЕЛЕЙ ОСНОВНЫХ ПАРАЗИТОЗОВ ВОДНЫХ ПТИЦ НА ИЗОЛИРОВАННОЙ ПРИРОДНОЙ ТЕРРИТОРИИ НАЦИОНАЛЬНОГО ПАРКА «ЛОСИНЫЙ ОСТРОВ»

An important point in the conservation of biological diversity and avifauna resources on the territory of national and zoological parks, reserves, as well as commercial breeding poultry enterprises is the study of the bioecology of parasitosis pathogens. In this study, for the first time in a long time, the results of bioecological monitoring of the main parasitoses of aquatic birds living in the isolated natural territory of NP "Losiny оstrov" are presented. The main focus of the work was the study of the spread of the invasive origin in intermediate, additional and final hosts, as well as the conservation potential of aquatic bird species and other components of the biogeocenosis. The article presents the results of helminthological studies of feces of birds of the gull families (lake gull Larus Ridibundus) and duck (mallard Anas Platyrhynchos); helminthological studies of the gastrointestinal tract of fish of the cyprinid family (bream Abramis Brama) and firebrand (perch Perca Fluviatilis); mollusks of the family Lymnaeidae and the family Planorbidae. 85 and 86 individuals of fish and shellfish, respectively, and 116 samples of bird droppings were studied. The number of identified samples from seagulls was 23, from ducks – 47, the remaining 46 samples were defined as «blind samples». The main composition of intestinal parasites of aquatic birds and aquatic organisms has been revealed. Data were obtained on the infection of aquatic birds with associative helminth-protozoal mixinvasion: genera – Eimeria and Trichomonas and helminths of genera: Capillaria, Amidostomum, Heterakis. At the same time, the presence of mixed invasion was noted in 64.28% of the total number of samples. Data were obtained on the infection of fish and shellfish, the helminth fauna of which is represented by the families Echinoctomatidae and Diplostomum sp. The extent of monoinvasion of mollusks of the species Lymnaea stagnalis by cercariae and metacercariae of trematodes of the family Echinoctomatidae was 62.16%.

Application of sports wearable sensor based on edge computing in sports industry

Allocation strategy is a way to find problems inside the network, and it is also a way to put problems at the edge of the network. In the central router scheme, each router decides when to transmit data packets and which data packets to reject, and at the same time notifies the host generating network traffic to send the packet number. In the central hosting scheme, the final host monitors the network status and adjusts its behavior accordingly. Ice and snow sports has gradually become a way of entertainment for people, improving their knowledge of physical exercise. Various forms of physical activities have been taken, such as shooting, running, jumping, walking, and dancing, and these exercises are usually general forms of physical exercise. This article is about the dissemination of concepts, methods and techniques of advanced training, scientific research and winter sports training, as well as the study of methods and techniques for the sustainable development of national ice and snow sports, winter sports training, and ice and snow economy.

Prevalence and first molecular identification of Sarcocystis species in feces of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) in Egypt

BackgroundSarcocystis species are obligatorily heteroxenous protozoan parasites with predator–prey life cycles. Global Knowledge about the epidemiology and the distribution pattern of different Sarcocystis species in dog feces are very scarce. Therefore, the current investigation was conducted to declare the occurrence of Sarcocystis in the fecal specimens of the most common canids in Egypt, the domestic dogs, and to identify the species present using various parasitological and molecular approaches.MethodsA total of 100 dog fecal samples were collected and screened using fecal sugar flotation test for the presence of Sarcocystis oocysts/sporocysts. Additionally, thirty samples were used for genomic DNA extraction. The 18S rRNA gene fragment was the target of primers for a PCR, followed by purification and sequencing of the amplicons.ResultsCurrently, the results obtained reviewed that 4% of fecal samples were positive for Sarcocystis spp. using LM. Additionally, Sarcocystis spp. were verified in sixteen dogs (53.3%, 16/30) using PCR and subsequent sequencing protocols. Statistically, insignificant difference in prevalence of sarcocystosis relative to age and gender was noticed. Morphologically, the detected sporocysts measured 13.2–16.0 × 9.4–11 μm. Based on the 18S rRNA gene, sequencing analysis of amplicons from sporocysts DNA revealed 99.82% nucleotide homology with published S. tenella partial nucleotide sequences from sheep in Iraq and Iran.ConclusionsThis is the first molecular evidence in support of the final host role of domestic dogs in the life cycle of S. tenella in Egypt, which provides a precious diagnostic tool for further epidemiological studies and for the assessment of the effectiveness of control measures for this disease.

The Irkutsk focus of opisthorchosis (to the 40th Anniversary of the discovery)

The purpose of the research is to summarize our own and literature data on the Irkutsk focus of opisthorchosis.Materials and methods. The materials (mollusks, cyprinids and muskrat) were collected in the reservoirs of the Biryusa River basin. Mollusks were identified using the key by Ya. I. Starobogatova et al. (2004). The fish were studied for metacercariae of the trematode Opisthorchis felineus using the conventional compression method according to the recommendations and using the method of digestion with artificial gastric juice.Results and discussion. According to our own and literature data, there is a focus of mixed type opisthorchosis in the Taishetsky District, the Irkutsk Region, in which the final hosts of the parasite are wild animals, namely, the muskrat, along with domestic animals (cats) and humans. The first intermediate host is Opisthorchophorus troscheli. The second intermediate hosts are four fish species (roach, dace, crucian carp, and bream); minnow and tench were not infected with Opisthorchis sp. Mapping of current data has showed its distribution in the Biryusa River basin. The current state of knowledge for the Irkutsk focus of opisthorchosis shows that a comprehensive research plan is needed with the participation of scientific and regulatory institutions of the Irkutsk Region and Taishetsky District.

Serological evaluation of toxocarosis in Amedyia District, Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region Iraq

The ova of Toxocara canis is common environmental contaminants of human habitation, due to the fact that dogs serve as final hosts. The presence of Toxocara ova in the soil which considerable as a risky factor for human public health. Humans, particularly children, frequently ingest these ova accidently and infected with disease. Infection in humans, in contrast to their definitive hosts, remains unusual host, often resulting in disease caused by the migrating larval stages without development to adult stage. This study is the first study in Duhok Governorate and Kurdistan region to determine the seroprevalance of toxocarosis among human population and the relation of the associated factors. A total of 600 blood samples were collected from children and adults of different ages (5-70) years and both genders. Blood samples were collected in a gel tubes, then centrifuged for isolation of sera. The sera were kept at -20ºC until used for detection of anti Toxocara canis IgG antibodies using ELISA. Out of 600 serum samples 38 (6.3 %) were seropositive. The rate of infection was higher in females 22/285 (7.7%) than males 16/315 (5.1%). The individuals belong the age group less than 5 years were more prevalent (21.4%) than other groups followed by age group (5-14) year with infection rate (9.6%). Toxocarosis is prevalent in adults and children of Amedyia district. These results require periodical studies on the rate of infection and associated risk factors in other areas of Duhok Governorate and Kurdistan region.

Impact of anthropogenous environmental factors on the marine ecosystem of trophically transmitted helminths and hosting seabirds: Focus on North Atlantic, North Sea, Baltic and the Arctic seas.

Alongside natural factors, human activities have a major impact on the marine environment and thus influence processes in vulnerable ecosystems. The major purpose of this review is to summarise the current understanding as to how manmade factors influence the marine biocenosis of helminths, their intermediate hosts as well as seabirds as their final hosts. Moreover, it highlights current knowledge gaps regarding this ecosystem, which should be closed in order to gain a more complete understanding of these interactions. This work is primarily focused on helminths parasitizing seabirds of the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. The complex life cycles of seabird helminths may be impacted by fishing and aquaculture, as they interfere with the abundance of fish and seabird species, while the latter also affects the geographical distribution of intermediate hosts (marine bivalve and fish species), and may therefore alter the intertwined marine ecosystem. Increasing temperatures and seawater acidification as well as environmental pollutants may have negative or positive effects on different parts of this interactive ecosystem and may entail shifts in the abundance or regional distribution of parasites and/or intermediate and final hosts. Organic pollutants and trace elements may weaken the immune system of the hosting seabirds and hence affect the final host's ability to control the endoparasites. On the other hand, in some cases helminths seem to function as a sink for trace elements resulting in decreased concentrations of heavy metals in birds' tissues. Furthermore, this article also describes the role of helminths in mass mortality events amongst seabird populations, which beside natural causes (weather, viral and bacterial infections) have anthropogenous origin as well (e.g. oil spills, climate change, overfishing and environmental pollution).

Resurrection of genus Phocanema Myers, 1959, as a genus independent from Pseudoterranova Mozgovoĭ, 1953, for nematode species (Anisakidae) parasitic in pinnipeds and cetaceans, respectively.

Species of the genus Pseudoterranova, infect kogiid cetaceans and pinnipeds. However, there is mounting molecular evidence that those from cetaceans and pinnipeds are not congeneric. Here, we provide further evidence of the non-monophyly of members of Pseudoterranova from phylogenetic analyses of the conserved nuclear LSU rDNA gene, entire ITS rDNA region and mtDNA cox2 gene, and identify morphological characters that may be used to distinguish the members of the two clades. We propose the resurrection of the genus Phocanema, with Ph. decipiens (sensu stricto) as the type species, to encompass Ph. decipiens, Ph. azarasi, Ph. bulbosa, Ph. cattani and Ph. krabbei, all parasites of pinnipeds. We propose to restrict the conception of genus Pseudoterranova, which now harbours two species infecting kogiid whales; Ps. kogiae (type species) and Ps. ceticola. Members of the genera Phocanema and Pseudoterranova differ by the shape and orientation of the lips, relative tail lengths, adult size, type of final host (pinniped vs. cetacean) and phylogenetic placement based on nuclear rDNA and mtDNA cox2 sequences.

An update on snail and trematode communities in the Sanyati Basin of Lake Kariba: New snail and trematode species but no human schistosomes

BackgroundThe construction of Lake Kariba brought about a rise in the incidence of schistosomiasis in its surrounding towns of Kariba (Zimbabwe) and Siavonga (Zambia). After extensive control programs in Kariba, schistosomiasis prevalence dropped significantly. The objective of this study was to revisit the same localities sampled by Chimbari et al. (2003), and provide an update on the snail community and prevalence of trematodes in the Northern shore of Lake Kariba while focusing on planorbid species. MethodsMonthly sampling of snails at 16 sites along the Northern shoreline of Lake Kariba, near Kariba town, was undertaken for one year. Minimum one specimen per morphotype was identified using molecular barcoding (sequencing a fragment of cytochrome c oxidase I subunit (COI)). The infection status of snails was assessed by Rapid Diagnostic PCRs (RD-PCR), and trematode infections were genotyped by sequencing COI and 18S rDNA markers. ResultsWe collected and identified seven snail species: Bulinus truncatus, Bulinus forskalii, Gyraulus sp., Physella acuta, Bellamya sp., Radix affinis plicatula and Pseudosuccinea columella. Physella acuta was the most abundant snail species (comprising 56.95% of the total snail count) and present at all sites. The B. truncatus population was found to be infected with the stomach fluke Carmyerius cruciformis, a Petasiger sp. and a trematode species belonging to the family Notocotylidae. No Schistosoma sp. infections were detected in our collected snail specimens. ConclusionsWe report B. truncatus as an intermediate snail host for Carmyerius cruciformis, and the presence of three non-schistosome trematode species that have not been reported in Lake Kariba before. Furthermore, we detect a possible shift in the snail community when compared to the report by Chimbari et al. (2003): this is the first record of Gyraulus sp. in Lake Kariba, and we did not observe the previously reported B. pfeifferi, B. globosus and Radix natalensis. Although this shift in snail communities might have contributed to the absence of Schistosoma spp. detection in this study, further monitoring of final and intermediate hosts across the Kariba basin is essential to prove a decrease of schistosomiasis in the area.

MiRNA based biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Echinococcus granulosus in experimentally infected dogs

Cystic echinococcosis, which is caused by the Echinococcus granulosus. Carnivores, as final hosts, contain adult tapeworms in the small intestine, and a variety of mammals, including humans, harbor the metacestod. This study was designed to investigate the miRNA-based biomarkers for early and accurate diagnosis of E. granulosus in experimentally infected dogs. A liver with an obvious hydatid cyst was obtained from a slaughterhouse and then protoscoleces were collected. Following, viable protoscoleces were administred to three experimental dogs (ED1, ED2 and ED3) and another uninfected control dog (UCD) was kept as control without infection. Stool samples of all groups were collected during 50 days from the beginning of the experimental infection and stored at − 80 °C till work. Total miRNA was isolated from all individual stool samples. The qRT-PCR method was used to determine the differences in the expression levels of E. granulosus specific miRNAs which were egr-let-7–5p, egr-miR-2b-5p, egr-miR-71–5p and egr-miR-125–5p. All miRNAs were found to be expressed from the first day in all infected dogs. In the stool samples of the UCD, the egr-miR-71–5p was detected, while the other miRNAs (egr-let-7–5p, egr-miR-2b-5p, egr-miR-125–5p) were not expressed. The expression of egr-let-7–5p and egr-miR-125–5p was significantly increased in ED1 compared to UCD on all days. In particular, for the first time, the expression levels of egr-let-7–5p and egr-miR-125–5p increased significantly between days 15 and 19. Similarly, the increase in let-7–5p and miR-125–5p expression was statistically significant in ED2. In ED3, egr-let-7–5p, egr-miR2b-5p and egr-miR-125–5p expressions were significantly increased on all days. In particular, egr-let-7–5p expression levels increased significantly for the first time between days 15 and 19. In addition, egr-mir-125–5p expression levels were found to increase at a high level for the first time on day 16. In conclusion, especially egr-let-7–5p and egr-miR-125–5p can be used as early diagnostic biomarkers in dogs infected with E. granulosus.

Trematode genetic patterns at host individual and population scales provide insights about infection mechanisms.

Multiple parasites can infect a single host, creating a dynamic environment where each parasite must compete over host resources. Such interactions can cause greater harm to the host than single infections and can also have negative consequences for the parasites themselves. In their first intermediate hosts, trematodes multiply asexually and can eventually reach up to 20% of the host's biomass. In most species, it is unclear whether this biomass results from a single infection or co-infection by 2 or more infective stages (miracidia), the latter being more likely a priori in areas where prevalence of infection is high. Using as model system the trematode Bucephalus minimus and its first intermediate host cockles, we examined the genetic diversity of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I region in B. minimus from 3 distinct geographical areas and performed a phylogeographic study of B. minimus populations along the Northeast Atlantic coast. Within localities, the high genetic variability found across trematodes infecting different individual cockles, compared to the absence of variability within the same host, suggests that infections could be generally originating from a single miracidium. On a large spatial scale, we uncovered significant population structure of B. minimus, specifically between the north and south of Bay of Biscay. Although other explanations are possible, we suggest this pattern may be driven by the population structure of the final host.

Management of Linguatula serrata infestation in a dog from Greece: a case report

Linguatuliasis is caused by the Arthropod parasite Linguatula serrata (family: Linguatulidae) a parasite with worldwide distribution and zoonotic importance, especially in warm subtropical and temperate regions. Dogs, cats, foxes, jackals, and other carnivores are the final hosts of this Arthropod while any mammal could be a potential intermediate host of this parasite. Adults L. serrata live in the nasopharyngeal region and lower respiratory system, embed their body into the mucosa of nasal pharyngeal cavities. A two year old spayed female dog of undetermined breed, weighting 29 kg that lives in a mountain village called Sella (Prefecture of Achaia, Greece) in a semi-free form, was presented in a veterinary clinic of Patra with history of progressive cough and sneezing, which started about 2 weeks earlier. Along with the dog, the owner brought a parasite that was expelled from the dog’s nose during the intense cough and sneezing the same day. Macroscopic morphological aspects of the parasite, in the laboratory under stereoscope, revealed an arthropod 3,8cm in length identified as L. serrata, also commonly called tongue worm. The dog was treated with Macrocyclice lactone and lavage of nasal cavities. Humans can become infected in two ways: either as an intermediate host (visceral linguatuliasis) or as an accidental final host (nasopharyngeal linguatuliasis), usually as a result of consumption of raw or poorly cooked meat of an infected intermediate host.