Higher Number Of Worms Research Articles

The possibility of using Trichinella spiralis as an experimental model in the field of high dilutions

Background
 Trichinosis is a parasitic disease caused by ingestion larvae of Trichinella spiralis (TS). In Russia trichinosis of pigs is widely spreaded. Invasion occurs when human or animal eat contaminated meat. TS is adapted to many hosts, and due to its wide spread, there has always been a demand of safe alternatives for this infection. A lot of information has been gathered about sharp decreasing of quantity of trichinae in muscles at repeated invasion of predators. We took a chance of applying antigen to TS as a vaccine, however, rate of immunogenetic effect wasn't high. Therefore, in an experimental work, we decided to inject vaccine and immunomodulators together at the same time. 
 Material and Methods
 We subjected rats infected with TS to conventional treatment (vaccine) along with Cina 6cH. There were five groups as follows: The first group was injected antigen alone and no immunomodulators; the second group was injected antigen and Ronkoleikin; the third group was injected antigen and Sodium nucleinate, the fourth group was injected antigen and Cina C6cH; and the fifth group was a control group, which was injected neither antigen nor immunomodulators. After 21 days of vaccination (or giving homeopathic medicine) rats were contaminated TS in a dose of 200germs/animal.
 Results
 The rats were euthanized after two months. They we then analysed for stomach contents and quantity of worms in muscles. The highest number of worms were found in fifth group (no antigen and no immunomodulators) (more than 2600 worms/animal. The quantity of worms in the second group (injection of antigen and Ronkoleikin) was in four times less than in the control group. The most efficient substance was Ronkoleikin (900+160 worms/animal); Sodium nucleinate (1100+100 worms/per animal); Cina C6cH (1400+50 worms/animal). 
 
 Conclusion
 Cina C6cH along with and others immunomodulators was able to exhibit protective effect against experimental trichinosis. Further research with rigorous designs is needed to explore the role of Cina in Trichinella spiralis.

Chemicals associated with biodegradable microplastic drive the toxicity to the freshwater oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus

Microplastics (MPs) as complex synthetic pollutants represent a growing concern for the aquatic environment. Previous studies examined the toxicity of MPs, but infrequently used a natural particle control such as kaolin. The cause of toxicity, either the physical structure of the particles or chemical components originating from the MPs, has rarely been resolved. Moreover, the ecotoxicological assessment of biodegradable plastics has received little attention. To narrow down the main driver for toxicity of irregular biodegradable MPs, we conducted a series of 28-days sediment toxicity tests with the freshwater oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus and recorded the number of worms and dry weight as endpoints. Therefore, MPs containing several biodegradable polymers were either mixed with the sediment or layered on the sediment surface with concentrations from 1 to 8.4% sediment dw-1. Kaolin particles were evaluated in parallel as particle control. Furthermore, aqueous leachates and methanolic extracts as MP equivalents as well as solvent-treated, presumably pure MPs were investigated after mixing them into the sediment. Our results reveal that MP mixed with the sediment induced stronger adverse effects than layered MP. Kaolin particles caused no adverse effects. In contrast, they enhanced dry weight in both applications. The impact of aqueous leachates was comparable to the control without MPs, whereas methanolic extracts affected the worm number at the highest concentration with 100% mortality. Solvent-treated, presumably pure MP resulted in mostly higher worm numbers when compared to untreated MPs mixed into the sediment. This study demonstrates that MPs mixed into the sediment affect L. variegatus more than MPs that are layered on the sediment surface. Kaolin as a natural, fine-sized particle control created somewhat favorable conditions for the worm. The main driver for toxicity, however, proved to be chemicals associated with the plastic product and its previous content.

Multiplication of Red Worms (<i>Eiseniafetida</i>) Using Different Feeding Materials and Its Effect on Yield and Quality of Vermicompost

The earthworms (Eiseniafetida) were collected from Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Centerand introduced in cattle manure, paunch manure and cattle manure supplemented with wheat sraw, paunche manuresupplemented with wheat sraw and cattle manure plus paunch manure supplemented with wheat sraw.300 numbers of red worms (Eisenia fetida) were introduced in to each treatment. At the end of vermicomposting, the earthworm populationand vermicompost amounts were examined to assess the effect of feeding materials on multiplication of worms (Eisenia fetida), vermicompost yield and vermicompost qualities. The highest numberof worms (688.3) was achieved in the paunch manureand lowest (333.7) in the cattle manure vermicompost as sole source of feeding material as compared to all treatments. But the amount of vermicompost was found to be highest (9.6 kg) in mixture of paunch manure and wheat straw vermicompost. The vermicompost samples were analyzed for the parameters: pH, EC, total nitrogen, organic carbon, available phosphorus. The laboratory analysis results showed highest total nitrogen (3.03%), organic carbon (31.04%), andavailable phosphorus (1523 mg/kg) were recorded in case of vermicompost prepared paunch manure alone. The C:N ratio of all vermicompost samples was in the optimum range (< 20%) and the EC of vermicompost prepared from paunch manure was in the optimum range and the rest were above the optimum rangeof EC values for plants growth. However, the bedding materials give different results and have their own characteristic on selected physic-chemical parameters, all the vermicompost samples were contains sufficient amount of plant nutrients and optimum pH for the better seed germination, plant growth and best fertility and quality of soil. Therefore, all the vermicompost samples could be used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. But based on its highest number of red worms (Eiseniafetida), highestyield of vermicompost and highest total nitrogen contents, organic carbon andavailable phosphorus, vermicompost prepared from paunch manure as sole source of feeding material was considered as quality vermicompost.

Albendazole and mebendazole have low efficacy against Trichuristrichiura in school-age children in Kabale District, Uganda

Three groups of Trichuris trichiura-infected school-age children were treated with one dose 400mg albendazole, 100mg mebendazole twice daily for 3 d, or 100mg mebendazole twice daily for 5 d. The albendazole study investigated cure and egg reduction rates and found that only 5 of 66 infected children were egg-negative 7 d post-treatment, giving a cure rate of 8% and a geometric mean egg reduction rate of 89%. However, at day 14 post-treatment, all children were again egg-positive with significantly higher egg counts than at day 7 (P<0.001). The two mebendazole studies aimed for the recovery of adult T. trichiura worms. After the 3 d course of mebendazole treatment, only four worms were recovered on days 3-5 after start of treatment from 2 of 34 infected children. With the 5 d course of mebendazole treatment, 10 of 21 infected children expelled a total of 27 worms. In the last case the first worm appeared on day 4 post-treatment, and the highest number of worms was recovered when the study ended at day 7. In conclusion, even with the longest treatment regimen and collecting stool samples over seven consecutive days, only very few worms were recovered. The results of this study suggest that alternative drugs and/or alternative regimens in current control programmes against T. trichiura need renewed attention.

Genetic resistance to Heterakis gallinarum in two chicken layer lines following a single dose infection

Groups of White Leghorn and New Hampshire male and female chicks were reared under helminth-free conditions and divided into two groups at an age of 8 weeks. One group was artificially infected with 100 embryonated Heterakis gallinarum eggs, while the other group was kept as uninfected control. After 8 weeks all animals were harvested and worm burden was established. Maximum of 60 worms per bird randomly selected were measured for length. Body weights were recorded at 8 and 16 weeks of age. Total worm burden was significantly ( P < 0.0001) higher in infected males than in infected females. Furthermore, White Leghorns showed a significantly ( P = 0.011) higher number of worms when compared with New Hampshire animals. Average worm lengths were not significantly different between the breeds ( P = 0.155) and sexes ( P = 0.062). Correlations between worm burden and worm length was 0.08 ( P = 0.140). The daily weight gains between 8 and 16 weeks of age of the infected animals were significantly ( P = 0.038) lower when compared with the control group. There was no significant correlation between daily weight gain and worm burden. The estimated heritabilities for logarithm (ln) worm burden were 0.41 (S.E. ± 0.086) in White Leghorn and 0.31 (S.E. ± 0.126) in New Hampshire, respectively. Based on the estimated heritabilities it is possible to select for H. gallinarum resistance in both genetically distinct chicken breeds. This approach may be of importance for chickens kept in floor husbandry systems.

High transmission rates restore expression of genetically determined susceptibility of mice to nematode infections

This study investigated why the susceptible or resistance phenotype to the nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus was lost when susceptible (C57BL/6) and resistant (Balb/c) strains of mice were housed together in indoor arenas with continuous transmission of the parasite larvae present in peat trays (Scott, 1991). First, both strains expressed their normal phenotype when given a controlled challenge while living in arenas, and when experimentally infected with only 5 parasite larvae. To test whether chronic exposure to peat altered the resistance phenotype, mice were given a challenge infection while living on peat. C57BL/6 mice living on peat had higher egg production and higher worm numbers than Balb/c mice, except at 2 months post-challenge. Finally, natural transmission rates were increased in arena experiments through either regular replacement of arena mice with naïve mice or direct introduction of additional larvae. A transient difference in infection levels between strains was detected in response to a modest increase in transmission whereas a 10-fold increase in transmission allowed C57BL/6 mice to exhibit the typical profile of high egg production and elevated worm numbers. These data indicate that C57BL/6 mice are less able to regulate parasite numbers at high transmission rates compared with lower transmission rates.

Echinococcus multilocularisin Estonia

<i>Echinococcus multilocularis</i>in Estonia

Role of steroid hormones in Trichinella spiralis infection among voles.

Males are generally more susceptible to parasite infection than females. This sex difference may reflect the suppressive effects of testosterone and enhancing effects of estradiol on immune function. This study characterized the role of circulating steroid hormones in sex differences after infection with the nematode Trichinella spiralis. Because testosterone suppresses immune function and because polygynous males have higher circulating testosterone concentrations than monogamous males, sex differences in parasite burden were hypothesized to be exaggerated among polygynous meadow voles compared with monogamous prairie voles. As predicted, sex differences in response to T. spiralis infection were increased among meadow voles; males had higher worm numbers than females. Male and female prairie voles had equivalent parasite burden. Overall, prairie voles had higher worm numbers than meadow voles. Contrary to our initial prediction, differences in circulating estradiol concentrations in females, testosterone concentrations in males, and corticosterone concentrations in both sexes were not related to the observed variation in T. spiralis infection. Taken together, these data suggest that not all sex differences in parasite infection are mediated by circulating steroid hormones and that adaptive-functional explanations may provide new insight into the causes of variation in parasite infection.

Comparative Recoveries of Adult Worms from Chinese and Golden Hamsters Fed Known Doses of Trichinella spiralis

The Chinese hamster, which is highly resistant to the establishment of the muscle phase of Trichinella spiralis, supports the full maturation of the intestinal form. In the golden hamster, there is no apparent resistance to either the intestinal or tissue phase of this parasite. These host species were compared with respect to the distribution and longevity of mature, productive adults of T. spiralis. Results were tabulated as the per cent of the infective dose recovered as mature worms from the intestinal tract. In the Chinese hamster, total averages of worms recovered as adults were 43.5%, 11.8%, and 10.3%, respectively, on the 6th, 12th, and 18th days of infection. The first half of the small intestine yielded the highest number of worms: 22.8%, 5.7%, and 6.6%, respectively, on the 6th, 12th, and 18th days postinfection. The extent and duration of the intestinal phase of T. spiralis in this host is similar to that reported for the rat. Golden hamsters fed comparable doses of infective larvae showed the greatest number of adult worms in the lower half of the small intestine. Average yields from this segment were 26.8%, 29.9%, and 16.1%, respectively, on the 6th, 12th, and 18th days of infection. Total averages at these times were 43.6%, 43.0%, and 30.9%. This host most closely resembles the guinea pig in its response to infection with trichinella. The Chinese hamster (Cricetuluos griseus) exhibits a marked innate resistance to the establishment of trichinella larvae in muscle tissue (Ritterson, 1959). This is in marked contrast with the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratuis) which permits development of substantial numbers of larvae even at very low infective doses (Ritterson, loc. cit.). Since both species of hamsters permit development of adults, these hosts vere compared with respect to the distribution and longevity of mature, productive adults of Trichinella

Comparative Observations on Experimental Schistosoma mansoni Infections in African Green and Rhesus Monkeys

The pattern of egg excretion and the number of schistosomes are compared in five African green (Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus and C. aethiops sabaeus) and five rhesus monkeys. Egg excretion in the green monkey was lower during the acute phase and declined more slowly thereafter. The green monkeys maintained a significantly higher number of worms over a period of many months. The number of eggs passed by green monkeys during chronic infections was much less than would be expected from the number of live worms recovered at autopsy. Although primate hosts are valuable in schistosomiasis research, rhesus monkeys, which have been used mostly, rapidly develop strong immunity to schistosomes which reduces the worm burden and egg excretion (Meleney and Moore, 1954; Vogel, 1958; Naimark et al., 1960; Meisenhelder, Olszewski, and Thompson, 1960; Sadun et al., 1961; Thompson, Meisenhelder, and Najarian, 1962). Although improvisations permit the evaluation of drugs against Schistosoma mansoni infection in the rhesus monkey (Thompson et al., 1962), acquired immunity limits its value for this and many other purposes. The importance of searching for a primate host better than the rhesus monkey has been emphasized in a report to the World Health Organization (1959). Vogel (1958) stated, without elaboration, that the survival of S. mansoni and the duration of its egg excretion is much longer in African green monkeys than in the rhesus. These considerations stimulated the present observations dealing with the course of S. mansoni infection in African green monkeys relative to rhesus monkeys. MATERIALS AND METHODS The animals infected during this work included three Cercopithecus aethiops pygerythrus (the East African green monkey) and two C. aethiops sabaeus (the West African green monkey). Four of these were studied in parallel as pairs with a monkey of each subspecies in each pair, i.e., numbers 25 and 138, 38 and 39. Received for publication 9 January 1963. As detailed accounts appear elsewhere (Najarian and Thompson, 1958; Thompson et al., 1962), the materials and techniques will be described only briefly. The monkeys were anesthetized intravenously with sodium thiamylal (Surital ?, Parke, Davis and Co.) and exposed percutaneously for 45 min to S. mansoni cercariae (Puerto Rican strain) collected from 30 or more Australorbis glabratus. The course of infection was followed by semiquantitative stool examinations for eggs; acidether preparations of 1 ml of feces were examined twice weekly from the 5th week after exposure until autopsy. Egg counts were not adjusted for the water content of the feces. Infections were assessed terminally by the number of live worms found at autopsy; following perfusion, the mesenteric and portal veins, the ground liver, and the perfusate were examined for schistosomes.