Intestinal Tapeworm Research Articles

Structural changes on an intestinal tapeworm Taenia tetragona caused by Millettia taiwaniania extract

Millettia taiwaniana Hayata (family Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant used for deworming intestinal helminth infection in the Mizo traditional medicine. The methanol extract of the root bark reportedly contains rotenoids such as cis-12a-hydroxyretenone, rot-2′-enonic acid, cis-12a-hydroxyrot-2′-enonic and rotenone, which are established as the major bioactive compounds. The plant extract was tested in vitro to evaluate its anthelmintic activity against an intestinal tapeworm, Taenia tetragona. Electron microscopy revealed massive destruction on the body surface (tegument). The tegument is extensively eroded throughout the scolex and proglottids. The important sensory and absorptive organs called microtriches present on the tegument were completely lost. Attachment organs known as suckers completely collapsed and the spines were entirely removed. The proglottids were wrinkled and formed numerous blebs all over the tegument. These findings show that the plant extract exhibits anthelmintic activities on intestinal helminth parasites.

A case report on the gallbladder fluke, Euparadistomum herpestesi (Trematoda: Dicrocoeliidae), in stray cats (Felis catus) in Beni-Suef, Egypt.

Scarce literature studying parasites, particularly helminths, of gallbladder of cats in Egypt are available. Stray cats (Felis catus) are widespread in Beni-Suef, Egypt. Therefore, a total of 62 stray cats were necropsied and parasitologically examined. Three (4.84%) cats harboured an ovoid yellowish to brown flukes in the gallbladder. Infected cats were females and aged more than 3years. The worm burden ranged 1-3 (one cat harboured 3 flukes and the other 2 cats were infected by one fluke each). Moreover, Mixed infections with intestinal cestodes and/or nematodes were detected. The fluke is quite discoid measuring 7.75 × 3.25mm. The oral sucker measured 1mm in diameter. The acetabulum was nearly central, rounded and measured 0.75mm in diameter. Short pharynx (no prepharynx). Two broad intestinal ceca extending short distance from the posterior extremity of the fluke. Testes are ovoid, opposite to each other occupying the anterior half, each measured 0.25mm in diameter. The ratio of testes to the acetabulum is characteristically 1:2. Ovary was somewhat ovoid, measured 0.3 × 0.45mm, and attached to it a large dorsal chamber of receptaculum seminis measuring 0.58 × 0.52mm. Vitellaria extended from the level of testes along the length of intestinal caeca or somewhat shorter than length of them. Uterus consisted of several coils occupying the entire area behind the oral sucker. Based on those criteria, the recovered flukes might be identified as Euparadistomum herpestesi. To the best of authors' knowledge and based on the microscopic identification, it is the first preliminary report denoting the existence of the gallbladder flukes, E. herpestesi, from stray cats in Beni-Suef, Egypt.

Radiographic Diagnosis of Diphyllobothriasis: Hiding in Plain Sight

2482 Figure 1. Axial, coronal, and sagittal CT images depicting a curvilinear filling defect in the small bowel concerning for intestinal tapewormDiphyllobothriasis is diagnosed by identification of proglottids in the stool or by direct endoscopic visualization of a worm. We describe a case in which an intestinal tapeworm is stumbled upon via abdominal imaging. An 80 year smoker with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis presented to a VA gastroenterology clinic for dyspepsia unresponsive to H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors. He reported 3 months of progressive abdominal fullness, bloating, intermittent loose stools, and anorexia leading to 20-25 pounds of weight loss. Physical exam showed conjunctival pallor and mild abdominal distension. A CBC demonstrated macrocytic anemia. Vitamin B12 level was 90pg/ml (nl 213-816 pg/ml). Serum anti-parietal cell and antiintrinsic factor antibodies were negative, and serum gastrin and folate levels were normal. He refused endoscopy. Contrasted CT of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a curvilinear filling defect from the proximal jejunum through most of the visualized small bowel. Three stool ova and parasite (O&P) samples were collected; two demonstrated proglottids characteristic of Diphyllobothrium. His symptoms resolved after a dose of praziquantel (10mg/kg), and repeat stool O&P after one month proved eradication. The frequency of parasite detection via stool O&P has been reported at ˜20% when examining a single sample, compared to ˜50% when two or more are examined. Likewise, examining two or more specimens increases the sensitivity from 75% to 92%. Uniquely, the initial hint of a parasite in our patient was found via imaging. Radiographic findings of intestinal tapeworms are rare, and CT in the presence of known infection does not always demonstrate a parasite. The first two cases of tapeworm visualization via capsule endoscopy were recently reported. The focused differential for this elderly smoker with dyspepsia and weight loss included peptic ulcer disease and gastrointestinal malignancy. Screening labs for gastrinoma and pernicious anemia were negative. This patient did not report typical risk factors for diphyllobothriasis, including travel to endemic regions and raw fish consumption. After the patient refused endoscopy, CT revealed distinctive findings concerning for intestinal tapeworm, confirmed by observation of proglottids in the stool. Macrocytic anemia in the setting of weight loss and dyspepsia requires a workup for malabsorption, malignancy, and, though rare, parasitic infection.

Detecting hidden diets and disease: Zoonotic parasites and fish consumption in Mesolithic Ireland

Archaeoparasitology is increasingly being used as a tool in archaeological research to investigate relationships between past humans, environments, diets and disease. It can be particularly useful in contexts where parasite eggs preserve, but human and faunal remains do not, including in the identification of disease and/or dietary items otherwise absent from the local archaeological record. We analyzed soil samples from the Late Mesolithic layers of the lake island site of Derragh in County Longford, Ireland. All samples were positive for the presence of Diphyllobothrium sp., an intestinal fish tapeworm that infects humans, causing diphyllobothriasis. Though fish are thought to be a staple food in Mesolithic Ireland, evidence for fishing and subsistence from this period is extremely fragmentary. Similarly, there is little available evidence for disease, primarily due to the lack of human remains. This finding represents the earliest known presence of human-derived parasites in Ireland, the earliest known finding of Diphyllobothrium sp. in Europe and the only finding of the tapeworm from hunter-gatherer contexts. It suggests parasitic infections, particularly those resulting from undercooked food, may be more common in ancient hunter-gatherer populations than previously suspected. The presence of these zoonotic parasites at hunter-gatherer sites can provide important insight into local environments, health and disease, and culinary practices. In locations like Mesolithic Ireland, the presence of parasites may assist in the identification of subsistence activities, such as fishing, and specific prey.

Inspector Quadro - the complex of preparation for the treatment of ectoand endoparasitoses in cats and dogs

The purpose of the research: the study of the efficacy of the preparations for veterinary use "Inspector Quadro C" and "Inspector Quadro K" against ecto- and endoparasitoses of dogs and cats. Materials and methods. Studies were conducted on spontaneously infected dogs and cats of different sexes, age, weight and breed. The diagnosis of infection with ectoparasites was made based on the clinical picture and laboratory methods of investigation (microscopy of scrapings taken from ectoparasitized skin areas, examination of the coat for fleas, lice, worms, ixodids). Infection with helminths was established by detecting eggs of helminths in faeces of animals by the method of Füleleborn and mature segments of cestodes. Preparations were applied to the animals by drip application on dry undamaged skin in places inaccessible to licking in a dose of 0.1-0.4 ml per 1 kg of body weight. The results were statistically processed. Results and discussion. "Inspector Quadro S" and "Inspector Quadro K" showed 100% efficacy at sarcoptosis in dogs, notoedrosis in cats, otodectosis in dogs and cats, ixodidoses and entomoses. "Inspector Quadro C" showed a high efficiency (92.3%) at demodecosis in dogs. However, single mites were found in one dog. 100% efficacy of "Inspector Quadro C" and "Inspector Quadro K" has been established against intestinal nematodes and cestodes in dogs and cats. Negative effects of drugs on the body of animals have not been revealed.

Prevalence of Cestode Parasites of Some freshwater Fishes Cultivated In EL-Abbasa Fish Farm, Egypt.

This study was carried out on 694 Clarias gariepinusand 846Oreochromis niloticus fish specimens. The fish were randomly collected seasonally, from different fish farms of El-Abbassa, Abu-Hammad, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. They were used to investigate the prevalence of cestode parasites in C. gariepinus and O. niloticus. Parasitological examination of these fishes revealed that the, highest prevalence rates of Cestodain the fish were recorded in small fishes during summer and the lowest values were observed in the samples of the large size during winter. The study concluded that, the C. gariepinus are more attacked by internal cestode parasites compared O. niloticus. Parasites included Proteocephalus glanduligerus, Polyonchobothrium clarias and Monobothrium sp. The morphology of each species was compared with earlier descriptions, and a diagnostic character of intestinal Cestode species in this geographic region was developed.

The effects of food and parasitism on reproductive performance of a wild rodent.

Food and parasitism can have complex effects on small mammal reproduction. In this study, we tested the effects of sex, food, and parasitism on reproductive performance of the Taiwan field mouse (Apodemus semotus). In a field experiment, we increased food availability for a portion of the mice in the population by providing sorghum seeds to a set of food stations. We reduced parasite intensity of randomly chosen mice through ivermectin treatment. We determined the number and quality of offspring for the mice using paternity analysis. We quantified seed consumption with stable carbon isotope values of mouse plasma and parasite intensity with fecal egg counts of intestinal nematodes and cestodes (FEC). In a laboratory experiment, we reduced parasite intensity of randomly chosen mice through ivermectin treatment. We quantified their immune functions by total white blood cell count, percent granulocyte count, and percent lymphocyte count through hematological analyses. We measured the FEC and energy intake of the mice. From the field experiment, the number of offspring in A. semotus increased with increasing seed consumption. Due to the trade‐off between number and quality of offspring, the offspring quality decreased with increasing seed consumption for the females. The ivermectin treatment did not affect offspring number or quality. However, the FEC was positively correlated with number of offspring. In the laboratory experiment, the percent lymphocyte/granulocyte count changed with parasite intensity at low energy intake, which was relaxed at high energy intake. This study demonstrated positive effects of food availability and neutral effects of parasitism on A. semotus reproduction. However, the benefits of food availability for the females need to take into account the offspring number–quality trade‐off, and at high infection intensity, parasitism might negatively affect offspring quality for the males. We suggest that food availability could mediate the relationships between parasite intensity and immune responses.

Clinical characteristics and epidemiology of intestinal tapeworm infections over the last decade in Tokyo, Japan: A retrospective review.

BackgroundTapeworm (cestode) infections occur worldwide even in developed countries and globalization has further complicated the epidemiology of such infections. Nonetheless, recent epidemiological data on cestode infections are limited. Our objectives were to elucidate the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of diphyllobothriosis and taeniosis in Tokyo, Japan.Methodology/Principal findingsWe retrospectively reviewed 24 cases of human intestinal cestode infection from January 2006 to December 2015 at a tertiary referral hospital in Tokyo, Japan. The patients included were diagnosed with cestode infection based on morphological and/or molecular identification of expelled proglottids and/or eggs and treated in our hospital. Fifteen and 9 patients were diagnosed with diphyllobothriosis and taeniosis, respectively. The median patient age was 31 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 26–42 years), and 13 (54%) were male. Most of the patients (91.7%) were Japanese. All patients were successfully treated with praziquantel without recurrence. Diphyllobothriosis was caused by Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense in all patients. Taeniosis was due to infection of Taenia saginata in 8 [88.9%] patients and T. asiatica in 1 [11.1%] patient. All patients with taeniosis were infected outside Japan, as opposed to those with diphyllobothriosis, which were domestic. The source locations of taeniosis were mostly in developing regions. The median duration of the stay of the patients with taeniosis at the respective source location was 1 month (IQR: 1–8).Conclusions/SignificanceThe cestode infection, especially with D. nihonkaiense, has frequently occurred, even in Japanese cities, thereby implicating the probable increase in the prevalence of diphyllobothriosis among travelers, as the number of travelers is expected to increase owing to the Tokyo Olympics/Paralympics in 2020. In addition, medical practitioners should be aware of the importance of providing advice to travelers to endemic countries of taeniosis, including the potential risks of infection and preventive methods for these infections.

Oral Application of Recombinant Bacillus subtilis Spores to Dogs Results in a Humoral Response against Specific Echinococcus granulosus Paramyosin and Tropomyosin Antigens.

Bacillus subtilis is known as an endospore- and biofilm-forming bacterium with probiotic properties. We have recently developed a method for displaying heterologous proteins on the surface of B. subtilis biofilms by introducing the coding sequences of the protein of interest into the bacterial genome to generate a fusion protein linked to the C terminus of the biofilm matrix protein TasA. Although B. subtilis is a regular component of the gut microflora, we constructed a series of recombinant B. subtilis strains that were tested for their ability to be used to immunize dogs following oral application of the spores. Specifically, we tested recombinant spores of B. subtilis carrying either the fluorescent protein mCherry or else selected antigenic peptides (tropomyosin and paramyosin) from Echinococcus granulosus, a zoonotic intestinal tapeworm of dogs and other carnivores. The application of the recombinant B. subtilis spores led to the colonization of the gut with recombinant B. subtilis but did not cause any adverse effect on the health of the animals. As measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting, the dogs were able to develop a humoral immune response against mCherry as well as against E. granulosus antigenic peptides. Interestingly, the sera of dogs obtained after immunization with recombinant spores of E. granulosus peptides were able to recognize E. granulosus protoscoleces, which represent the infective form of the head of the tapeworms. These results represent an essential step toward the establishment of B. subtilis as an enteric vaccine agent.

Antibacterial Activity of Two Flavans from the Stem Bark of Embelia schimperi.

Embelia schemperi Vatke is one of the medicinal plants used traditionally for treatment of intestinal tape worm, dysmenorrheal, bacterial, and fungal infections. Phytochemical screening test of the dichloromethane/methanol (1 : 1) and methanol extracts revealed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids whereas terpenoids, glycoside, and phytosterols were absent. Silica gel column chromatographic separation of the methanol extract afforded 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavan, named epicatechin (1), along with a close flavan derivative (2). Structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques (1D and 2D NMR, FTIR, and UV-Vis). The crude extracts and isolated compounds were screened for in vitro antibacterial activity against strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Cryptococcus neoformans, Shigella dysentriae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Epicatechin (1) exhibited comparable antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli (15 and 12 mm zone of inhibition, resp.) to that of the control antibiotic gentamicin, with zone of inhibition of 15 and 12 mm, respectively, at a concentration of 20 µg/mL.

Development of a direct PCR assay to detect Taenia multiceps eggs isolated from dog feces

Taenia multiceps is a tapeworm that leads to the death of livestock, resulting in major economic losses worldwide. The adult stage of this parasite invades the small intestine of dogs and other canids. In the present study, we developed a direct PCR assay to detect T. multiceps eggs isolated from dog feces to help curb further outbreaks. The genomic DNA was rapidly released using a lysis buffer and the PCR reaction was developed to amplify a 433-bp fragment of the T. multiceps mitochondrial gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) from eggs isolated from dog feces. The procedure could be completed within 3 h, including flotation. The sensitivity of the assay was determined by detecting DNA from defined numbers of eggs, and the specificity was determined by detecting DNA from other intestinal tapeworm and roundworm species that commonly infect dogs. In addition, 14 taeniid-positive fecal samples determined by the flotation technique were collected and further evaluated by the regular PCR and our direct PCR. The results showed that the direct PCR developed herein was sensitive enough to detect the DNA from as few as 10 T. multiceps eggs and that no cross-reactions with other tapeworm and roundworm were observed, suggesting its high sensitivity and specificity for T. multiceps detection. Moreover, 14 taeniid-positive samples were screened by the regular PCR and direct PCR, with detection rates of 78.6% and 85.7%, respectively. In conclusion, the direct PCR assay developed in the present study has high sensitivity and specificity to identify T. multiceps eggs isolated from dog feces and therefore could represent an invaluable tool to identify T. multiceps outbreaks and would contribute to future clinical applications.

Immunoprotective Effect of Chitosan Particles on Hymenolepis nana - Infected Mice.

Hymenolepis nana is the most commonly known intestinal cestode infecting mainly human. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of chitosan particles (CSP) to enhance the immune system against H.nana infection. Determination of worm burden, egg output, histopathological changes, oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione), goblet (GCs) and mucosal mast cells (MMCs) counts in intestinal ileum was performed. In addition, levels of intestinal mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-9, stem cell factor (SCF), type I and II interferons (IFN)-α/ γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, mucin 2 (MUC2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) were investigated using real-time PCR. The results indicated induced reductions in adult worm and egg counts in infected mice after CSP treatment. This was associated with improvement in tissue morphometric measurements and oxidative stress which were altered after infection. Expression levels of iNOs, IFN-α, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-9 were decreased by CSP. Conversely, expression levels of MUC2, IL-4 and SCF increased compared to infected untreated group. In addition, GCs and MMCs counts were normalized by CSP. In conclusion, this study could indicate the immunoprotective effect of CSP against H.nana infection. This was characterized with Th2 anti-inflammatory responses.

Development of a movement-based in vitro screening assay for the identification of new anti-cestodal compounds.

Intestinal cestodes are infecting millions of people and livestock worldwide, but treatment is mainly based on one drug: praziquantel. The identification of new anti-cestodal compounds is hampered by the lack of suitable screening assays. It is difficult, or even impossible, to evaluate drugs against adult cestodes in vitro due to the fact that these parasites cannot be cultured in microwell plates, and adult and larval stages in most cases represent different organisms in terms of size, morphology, and metabolic requirements. We here present an in vitro-drug screening assay based on Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces, which represent precursors of the scolex (hence the anterior part) of the adult tapeworm. This movement-based assay can serve as a model for an adult cestode screen. Protoscoleces are produced in large numbers in Mongolian gerbils and mice, their movement is measured and quantified by image analysis, and active compounds are directly assessed in terms of morphological effects. The use of the 384-well format minimizes the amount of parasites and compounds needed and allows rapid screening of a large number of chemicals. Standard drugs showed the expected dose-dependent effect on movement and morphology of the protoscoleces. Interestingly, praziquantel inhibited movement only partially within 12 h of treatment (at concentrations as high as 100 ppm) and did thus not act parasiticidal, which was also confirmed by trypan blue staining. Enantiomers of praziquantel showed a clear difference in their minimal inhibitory concentration in the motility assay and (R)-(-)-praziquantel was 185 times more active than (S)-(-)-praziquantel. One compound named MMV665807, which was obtained from the open access MMV (Medicines for Malaria Venture) Malaria box, strongly impaired motility and viability of protoscoleces. Corresponding morphological alterations were visualized by scanning electron microscopy, and demonstrated that this compound exhibits a mode of action clearly distinct from praziquantel. Thus, MMV665807 represents an interesting lead for further evaluation.

Molecular analysis of a novel species, Gangesia punjabensis (Family: Proteocephalidae, Subfamily: Gangesiinae) infecting an Indian freshwater cat fish, Wallago attu evidencing species complex.

In the present study, from August 2015 to July 2016, a total of 159 specimens of Wallago attu Bloch and Scheider, 1801 vern. mully were collected from the Ropar wetland, Punjab, India and were examined for the presence of intestinal tapeworms. The infection rate was 12.5%, out of which, two fishes were heavily infected with a proteocephalidean cestode belonging to the genus Gangesia in the month of February. Gangesia punjabensis sp. nov. was identified and described on the basis of morphology and partial amplification of LSUrDNA (28S rDNA). The histopathogenesis caused by these parasites have also been studied in histological sections. About 9-35 number of worms were collected from a single host. The length of worms ranged from 6.0 to 6.2cm. The strobila consisted of an armed scolex, neck, immature proglottids (approximately 90 in number) and mature proglottids (approximately 7 in number) and gravid proglottids were not detected. Analysis of 28S large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequence of the isolate of G. punjabensis n. sp. demonstrated maximum similarity of 99% with G. bengalensis, 98% with G. vachai, 97% with G. macrones. The phylogenetic tree based on the final edited alignment (822bp) with Neighbour-Joining showed the highest bootstrap value of 100 and placed G. punjabensis n. sp. with G. bengalensis and G. macrones in the same clade showing them to be a species complex. The intestinal mucosal lining exhibited blister formation, haemorrhagia and inflammation due to the presence of deeply embedded scolices. Histopathology caused was evident due to disruption of villous surface and cellular infiltration. This is the first report of cestodes belonging to the genus Gangesia from Ropar wetland, Punjab, India.

GPS Tracking of Free-Ranging Pigs to Evaluate Ring Strategies for the Control of Cysticercosis/Taeniasis in Peru.

BackgroundTaenia solium, a parasitic cestode that affects humans and pigs, is the leading cause of preventable epilepsy in the developing world. T. solium eggs are released into the environment through the stool of humans infected with an adult intestinal tapeworm (a condition called taeniasis), and cause cysticercosis when ingested by pigs or other humans. A control strategy to intervene within high-risk foci in endemic communities has been proposed as an alternative to mass antihelminthic treatment. In this ring strategy, antihelminthic treatment is targeted to humans and pigs residing within a 100 meter radius of a pig heavily-infected with cysticercosis. Our aim was to describe the roaming ranges of pigs in this region, and to evaluate whether the 100 meter radius rings encompass areas where risk factors for T. solium transmission, such as open human defecation and dense pig activity, are concentrated.Methodology/Principal FindingsIn this study, we used Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to track pig roaming ranges in two rural villages of northern Peru. We selected 41 pigs from two villages to participate in a 48-hour tracking period. Additionally, we surveyed all households to record the locations of open human defecation areas. We found that pigs spent a median of 82.8% (IQR: 73.5, 94.4) of their time roaming within 100 meters of their homes. The size of home ranges varied significantly by pig age, and 93% of the total time spent interacting with open human defecation areas occurred within 100 meters of pig residences.Conclusions/SignificanceThese results indicate that 100 meter radius rings around heavily-infected pigs adequately capture the average pig’s roaming area (i.e., home range) and represent an area where the great majority of exposure to human feces occurs.

Prevalence of Gastro Intestinal Cestodes in Backyard Chickens in District Tando Allahyar, Sindh

Prevalence of Gastro Intestinal Cestodes in Backyard Chickens in District Tando Allahyar, Sindh

Mixed parasitic infection ofMoniezia expansaandTrichuris spp.in Sirohi kid

A four month old kid was presented to the department for necropsy with history of illness since few days and respiratory distress from two days. Necropsy examination revealed debilitated carcass and pale mucus membranes. Lung showed red hepatisation with frothy exudate in trachea, bronchi and lungs. Small intestine was completely blocked by tapeworms which were confirmed as Monenzia expansa, whereas one ninety round worm were recovered from caecum, which were confirmed as Trichuris spp. Grossly, intestine and caecum showed severe catarrhal enteritis and typhlitis, respectively. Histopathological examination of various organs revealed interstitial pneumonia in lung, severe enteritis with cut sections of tapeworm in intestine and typhlitis in caecum.

Cysticercosis-A Pictorial Review

45 year old male from Bihar, presented with carcinoma of left gingivobuccal sulcus (GBS). As part of his workup chest X-ray was done which showed multiple well defined slender shaped (“rice grain”) calcifications noted in subcutaneous tissue & along neck muscles, with their long axes oriented in the plane of the muscle fibers .This appearance is highly suggestive of cysticercosis. After asking the patient repeatedly later gives history of convulsions (since 15 years).He was non-vegetarian with frequent consumption of pork. CT scan done-showed multiple cystic lesions most of which were calcified inactive stage (Figure 1); few of the lesions show post contrast enhancement and active non calcified scolex in the vesicular stage. He was treated for neurocysticercosis after which he underwent treatment for malignancy with Surgery-mandible composite resection and neck dissection modified type II. Post-surgery received Radiotherapy. He is on regular follow up. Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection that results from ingestion of eggs from the adult tapeworm, Taenia solium (T. solium). These larval cysts infect brain, muscle, or other tissue, and are a major cause of adult onset seizures in most low-income countries. A person gets cysticercosis by swallowing eggs found in the feces of a person who has an intestinal tapeworm. Cysts, called cysticerci, can develop in the muscles, the eyes, the brain, and or the spinal cord. Symptoms caused by the cysts depend on the location, size, number, and stage of the cysts. Cysts in the muscles, Generally do not cause symptoms May cause lumps under the skin, which can sometimes become tender. Cysts in the brain or spinal cord Cause the most serious form of the disease, called neurocysticercosis, cause seizures and/or headaches (these are more common).

A confocal microscopy-based atlas of tissue architecture in the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta

Tapeworms are pervasive and globally distributed parasites that infect millions of humans and livestock every year, and are the causative agents of two of the 17 neglected tropical diseases prioritized by the World Health Organization. Studies of tapeworm biology and pathology are often encumbered by the complex life cycles of disease-relevant tapeworm species that infect hosts such as foxes, dogs, cattle, pigs, and humans. Thus, studies of laboratory models can help overcome the practical, ethical, and cost-related difficulties faced by tapeworm parasitologists. The rat intestinal tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta is easily reared in the laboratory and has the potential to enable modern molecular-based experiments that will greatly contribute to our understanding of multiple aspects of tapeworm biology, such as growth and reproduction. As part of our efforts to develop molecular tools for experiments on H. diminuta, we have characterized a battery of lectins, antibodies, and common stains that label different tapeworm tissues and organ structures. Using confocal microscopy, we have assembled an “atlas” of H. diminuta organ architecture that will be a useful resource for helminthologists. The methodologies we describe will facilitate characterization of loss-of-function perturbations using H. diminuta. This toolkit will enable a greater understanding of fundamental tapeworm biology that may elucidate new therapeutic targets toward the eradication of these parasites.

Fate of parasites and pathogenic bacteria in an anaerobic hybrid reactor followed by downflow hanging sponge system treating domestic wastewater.

Treatment of domestic wastewater in a pilot-scale upflow anaerobic hybrid (AH) reactor (0.9 m(3)) in combination with downflow hanging sponge (DHS) system (1.3 m(3)) was investigated. The combined system was operated at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6.0 h for AH and 3.2 h for DHS system. The total process achieved a substantial reduction of COD(total) resulting in an average effluent concentration of only 39 ± 12 mg/l. Moreover, 90 ± 7% of ammonia was eliminated in the DHS system. Nitrate and nitrite data revealed that 49 ± 3.2% of the ammonia removal occurred through nitrification process. The removal efficiency of total coliform (TC), fecal coliform (FC), and fecal streptococci (FS) was relatively low in the AH reactor. The major portion of TC, FC, and FS was removed in the DHS system resulting to an average count of 1.7 × 10(5) ± 1.1 × 10(2)/100 ml for TC, 7.1 × 10(4) ± 1.2 × 10(2)/100 ml for FC, and 7.5 × 10(4) ± 1.3 × 10(2)/100 ml for FS in the final effluent. Likely, the combined system was very efficient for the removal of protozoological species such as sarcodins (Entamoeba cysts), flagellates (Giardia cysts), and ciliates (Balantidium cysts). This was not the case for coccidia (Cryptosporidium oocysts), where 36.4 and 27.3% were detected in the effluent of AH and DHS system, respectively. Only 10% of intestinal nematode and cestode ova were recorded in the effluent of AH reactor and were completely removed in the DHS system.