Intestinal Parasites among Wild Rodents in Northern Gangwon-do,Korea

To determine geographical patterns of natural parasite infections among wild rodents, a total of 46 wild rodents from 3 different localities in northern Gangwon-do (Province), Korea were examined for intestinal parasite infections. Along with nematodes such as hookworms and Syphacia spp., Plagiorchis muris (2 specimens) (Trematoda) were collected from striped field mice, Apodemus agrarius. In a Korean wood mouse, Apodemus peninsulae, the overall nematode infections were similar to A. agrarius, but an adult worm of Echinostoma hortense (Trematoda) was collected. In addition, 2 species of cestodes, i.e., Hymenolepis nana and Hymenolepis diminuta, were collected from A. agrarius. Through this survey, A. agrarius and A. peninsule were confirmed as the natural definite hosts for zoonotic intestinal helminths, i.e., P. muris, E. hortense, H. nana, and H. diminuta, in northern Gangwon-do, Korea. Considering increased leisure activities around these areas, seasonal and further comprehensive surveys on wild rodents seem to be needed to prevent zoonotic parasite infections.     

Intestinal Helminthic Infections Diagnosed by Colonoscopy in a Regional Hospital during 2001-2008

The present study investigated characteristics of 24 parasite infection cases detected during colonoscopy in a regional hospital from January 2001 to December 2008. Sixteen patients were confirmed with Trichuris trichiura infection, 6 patients were with Ascaris lumbricoides infection, 1 patient with Enterobius vermicularis infection, and 1 patient with Anisakis infection. Among them, 7 patients (43.8%) were asymptomatic. Colonoscopy findings were normal in 18 patients (75.0%). Among the patients with T. trichiura infection, colonoscopy showed several erosions in 2 patients (8.3%) and non-specific inflammation of the affected segment of the colon in 3 patients (12.5%). In 1 patient with anisakiasis, colonoscopy revealed a markedly swollen colonic wall. Stool examinations were performed before treatment in 7 patients (29.2%) and were all negative for parasite eggs or worms. These results suggest that colonoscopy is a useful diagnostic approach for parasitic infections even for asymptomatic patients and for patients with negative stool examinations.     

Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoans among Schoolchildren in Suburban Areas near Yangon,Myanmar

Although intestinal protozoans are common etiologies of diarrhea, few studies have been conducted in Myanmar. This study planned to investigate the prevalence of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, and Endolimax nana among schoolchildren and their guardians in suburban areas near Yangon, Myanmar. We performed a cross-sectional survey among schoolchildren and their guardians from 7 primary schools in South Dagon and Hlaing Thar Yar districts, Yangon, Myanmar. Stool samples were observed with a microscope after concentration technique and iodine staining. Total 821 stool samples, including 556 from schoolchildren and 265 from guardians, were examined. The median age was 6 years old for schoolchildren and 36 years old for guardians. A 53.1% of the school children and 14.6 % of the guardians were males. The overall prevalence of each intestinal protozoan species was as follows: 3.4% (28/821) for G. lamblia; 3.5% (29/821) for E. coli; 1.2% (10/821) for E. histoytica, and 3.0% for E. nana. This study showed that intestinal protozoans are common in primary schoolchildren and their guardians in suburban areas near Yangon, Myanmar. Health interventions, such as hand washing education, improvement of sanitation, and establishment of water purification systems are urgently needed in this area.     

Hymenolepis nana: Survival in the immunized mouse

Mice initially infected with Hymenolepis nana eggs became completely immune to challenge with mouse-derived cysticercoids (cysts) after more than 10 days. The host possessed at least two separated immune responses, one directed exclusively against reinfection with eggs (early response) and the other against cyst infection (late response). In two different mouse strains the responses showed markedly different duration both for the time lag prior to acquisition of the late response and for the survival of the initially infected worms, but were otherwise similar. The mice became immune to adult tapeworms and expelled the initially infected, destrobilated worms; this third immune response determines the longevity of H. nana in the mouse host. Thus, there is a strong indication that H. nana successively changes its immunogenicity during development, each stage stimulating immunity after a time lag. It is possible that the longevity of H. nana in a mouse strain depends on the length of time prior to acquisition of immune responses directed not against the tissue stage (early response), but against the lumen stages (late response and worm expulsion response).     

Hymenolepis nana: Maturation in an immunosuppressed unnatural rat host

When eggs of the dwarf tapeworm Hymenolepis nana, cycled exclusively and directly through mice for more than 10 years, were inoculated into previously uninfected inbred Fischer (F344) strain rats, they failed to mature in the rat intestinal lumen. Eggs of H. nana inoculated into the rat developed normally into cysticercoids (cysts) in the intestinal tissue, but thereafter failed to mature in the lumen except when the host was treated with cortisone acetate from the day of cyst maturation. The Fischer rat initially given eggs of H. nana became completely immune to egg challenge within 2 days of egg inoculation; no cysts derived from challenge eggs were found in the immunized rat. Immunosuppression, assessed by the success of cyst recovery in the tissue 4 days after egg challenge, had no promotive effect on the recovery of adult worms derived from eggs initially inoculated. Rats initially given eggs and immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide or antithymocyte serum did not harbor any adult worms. Cortisone acetate treatment which was sufficient for eggs inoculated to mature (a total of 75 or even 200 mg, from Day 5 of egg inoculation) had no effects of immunosuppression, whereas cortisone acetate treatment which was sufficient for immunosuppression (a total of 150 mg from Day -2, two days prior to the initial egg inoculation) induced some adult formation as well. In addition, when mouse-derived cysts were inoculated into the rat instead of eggs, they also failed completely to mature even when the rat was treated with cyclophosphamide or antithimocyte serum. However, when the rat was treated with cortisone acetate from the day of cyst inoculation, the cysts developed into adult worms. Therefore, these results indicate that the Fischer rat clearly differs in its susceptibility to the tissue phase of egg inoculation and to the lumen phase of cyst inoculation of H. nana, and strongly suggest that the failure of maturation of H. nana in the unnatural host Fischer rat is not attributed to innate and/ or acquired immunity of the rat but to other nonimmunological mechanisms.     

Interactions between Trichinella spiralis and Hymenolepis nana in the intestine of the mouse

Ferretti G., Gabriele F., Palmas C. and Wakelin D. 1984. Interactions between Trichinella spiralis and Hymenolepis nana in the intestine of the mouse. International Journal for Parasitology14: 29–33. The rejection of the intestinal phase of Trichinella spiralis in outbred CD₁ mice is associated with an inflammatory response. The effects of this inflammation were studied in mice concurrently infected with an unrelated parasite, Hymenolepis nana, which stimulates a slight inflammation but is also immunologically rejected by this strain of mice. Moreover though Cd(In)1 mice seem to be ‘slow responders’, in concurrent infections with T. spiralis and H. nana there was a marked effect upon the cesode survival. At the highest level of T. spiralis infection, H. nana failed to establish at all. On the other hand, if 300 T. spiralis were administered 10 weeks earlier, H. nana become established in all mice and the distribution of parasites suggests that immunodepression is involved. An accelerated loss of the nematode, when H. nana was present, was also demonstrated. There was no evidence of any reciprocal or specific cross-immunity between the two parasites.     

梭梭木虱发生规律及其影响因子

在新疆古尔班通古特沙漠中的梭梭、白梭梭上发现由木虱引起的叶苞状虫瘿,发生率达到90%以上,虫瘿内有4种木虱:异色胖木虱(Caillardia robusta Loginova)、梭梭胖木虱(C. azurea Loginova)、矮胖木虱(C. nana Loginova)和显赫胖木虱(C. notata Loginova),后两种为中国新记录种。木虱在梭梭上1a发生两个高峰,丘间低地发生最为严重,沙丘边缘与砾石荒漠发生量相差不大,在5月中旬和6月中旬达到高峰期;木虱在白梭梭上1a发生两个高峰,低丘比高丘发生严重,阳坡比阴坡发生严重,在6月中旬和7月底8月初达到高峰期。梭梭和白梭梭上树龄越大虫瘿发生越严重。地势、树势、方位及地势、坡面对木虱虫瘿的发生都存在显著性影响,但是它们互作对木虱虫瘿的影响却不大。通过研究古尔班通古特沙漠梭梭和白梭梭上木虱虫瘿的发生规律及其与周边环境的关系,为保护荒漠生态环境提供依据。     

Trichuris trichiura Infection Diagnosed by Colonoscopy: Case Reports and Review of Literature

Trichuris trichiura, commonly referred to as a whipworm, has a worldwide distribution, particularly among countries with warm, humid climates. In Korea, trichuriasis was a highly prevalent soil-transmitted helminthiasis until the 1970s. However, the nationwide prevalence decreased to 0.02% in 2004 as a result of national control activities and improvement in the socioeconomic status of Koreans. Most infected individuals have no distinct symptoms, if lightly infected. The diagnosis is typically confirmed by detection of T. trichiura eggs on examination of a stool sample; few reports have described detection of the parasite during colonoscopy. Recently, we managed 4 patients with trichuriasis who were diagnosed by detection of the parasite on colonoscopy, and we reviewed the literature on the colonoscopic diagnosis of T. trichiura in Korea. We suggest that colonoscopy might be a useful diagnostic tool, especially when infected by only a few male worms with no eggs in the stool.     

A Nematode Growth Factor from Baker's Yeast

An extract prepared from commercially available yeast supported maturation of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis briggsae. The extract can be used to supplement a chemically defined medium or, after a limited dialysis, as a complete medium. Several biologically active fractions were prepared; those containing larger amounts of ribonucleic acid (RNA) had greater biological activity, the most active being a pellet resuspended after centrifugation at 30,000 × g for 30 min. This fraction could be substituted for serum in a medium which supports the maturation of the animal parasites Trichinella spiralis and Hymenolepis nana. Addition of protamine sulfate decreased the RNA content, leaving inactive protein fractions which could be reactivated by specific treatments that caused protein precipitation. It is postulated that biological activity is associated with protein sedimented with ribosomes.     

Morphological and molecular identification of hymenolepidid cestodes in children and synanthropic rodents from rural Mexico

Hymenolepidid cestodes of synanthropic rodents represent a risk for public health. In order to describe the occurrence of hymenolepidids in children and the role of rodents as a potential source of infection, we conducted a morphological and molecular survey on cestodes in two rural villages from Yucatan, Mexico. One hundred and thirty-five stool samples from children (64 from Paraíso and 71 from Xkalakdzonot), 233 Mus musculus (159 from Paraíso and 74 from Xkalakdzonot) and 125 Rattus rattus (7 from Paraíso and 118 from Xkalakdzonot) were analyzed for the presence of cestodes. Three hymenolepidid species were identified morphologically: Hymenolepis nana in 7.8% of children from Paraíso, Hymenolepis microstoma in 4.4% of M. musculus from Paraíso and Hymenolepis diminuta in 15.3% of R. rattus from Xkalakdzonot. The molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome c subunit 1 (CO1) gene and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region, confirmed the identity of the three cestodes isolated from Yucatan. Phylogeny of the CO1 gene identified intraspecific genetic differences within H. nana ranging from 0 to 5%, in H. microstoma from 0 to 0.4%, and in H. diminuta ranged from 0 to 6.5% which suggests, the presence of complex species within H. nana and H. diminuta infecting humans and rodents, as reported by other authors. Based on the morphological and molecular results, and the epidemiological evidence, infections with H. nana suggest a non-zoonotic transmission; however, the presence of H. microstoma and H. diminuta in synanthropic rodents serve as a possible source for human infection.     

Effect of culture density and antioxidants on naupliar production and gene expression of the cyclopoid copepod, Paracyclopina nana

Although attempts have been made to use mass cultures of marine copepods as live foods in marine aquaculture, some limitations such as low density culture still exist. The brackish water cyclopoid copepod, Paracyclopina nana has the potential for mass culturing as live food. In this study, we not only investigated the effect of culture density on the naupliar production and specific gene expressions of P. nana, but also the effect of several antioxidants under the conditions of a high density culture. The naupliar production of the copepod decreased with increasing culture density. The expression of glutathione reductase (GR), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (SeGPx), glutathione S-transferase kappa (GST kappa), heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40), and Hsp70 genes of P. nana increased in the high density treatment but vitellogenin genes (Vg1 and Vg2) showed downregulation. In the condition with 20 inds./mL, vitamin C had a significant decrease but sodium selenite induced the naupliar production of P. nana greatly. The expressions of GR, SeGPx, Hsp70, and Vg genes increased with the vitamin C treatment. Sodium selenite caused a decrease of SeGPx and Hsp40 but GST kappa increased in the treatment with 20 inds./mL. These results suggest that sodium selenite is a positive antioxidant which can increase the culture efficiency of the copepod.     

Hymenolepis nana: Protective immunity against mouse-derived cysticercoids induced by initial inoculation with eggs

Mice were almost completely resistant to a mouse-derived cysticercoid (cyst) challenge after 6 to 10 months following an initial immunizing inoculation with eggs of Hymenolepis nana. Previously uninfected control mice of the same age became infected with the cyst-derived tapeworms. There was no age resistance to H. nana in mice. Immunity against the cyst challenge was acquired by initial egg inoculation and blocked by injecting cortisone acetate just prior to the challenge. However, the number of worms recovered from mice given cortisone was significantly less than that from nonimmunized controls. Unexpected evidence was obtained that a few of the egg-derived tapeworms can survive for 6 or more months in some of the immunized mice, which are resistant to both egg and cyst challenges. The relative immunogenicity of oncospheres and cysts is discussed. It is strongly suggested that the cysts are different from the oncospheres in their immunogenicity, and, because of this, H. nana can complete its life cycle in the same immunized host. It is also suggested that the host possesses at least two separate immune responses: One is an early response directed exclusively against the oncosphere and/or the early postoncospheral stage (s) acquired within 2 days of egg inoculation, and the other is a late response against the cyst acquired after a time lag of unknown duration.     

Dolichodorus miradvulvus n. sp. (Nematoda: Tylenchida) with a Key to Species

Dolichodorus miradvulvus n. sp. from Anubias nana Engler in Florida is described and illustrated. The female is characterized by deep grooves in the cuticle on the ventral surface just anterior and posterior to the vulva, and by transversely elongate pouches anterior and posterior to the vulva. Both sexes have a constricted area of the stylet shaft just anterior to the knobs, and on the male the intersection of the lateral field and bursa appear sclerotized.     

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation via Colonoscopy for Recurrent C. difficile Infection

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is a safe and highly effective treatment for recurrent and refractory C. difficile infection (CDI). Various methods of FMT administration have been reported in the literature including nasogastric tube, upper endoscopy, enema and colonoscopy. FMT via colonoscopy yields excellent cure rates and is also well tolerated. We have found that patients find this an acceptable and tolerable mode of delivery. At our Center, we have initiated a fecal transplant program for patients with recurrent or refractory CDI. We have developed a protocol using an iterative process of revision and have performed 24 fecal transplants on 22 patients with success rates comparable to the current published literature. A systematic approach to patient and donor screening, preparation of stool, and delivery of the stool maximizes therapeutic success. Here we detail each step of the FMT protocol that can be carried out at any endoscopy center with a high degree of safety and success.     

Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Inhabitants of Karaj City, Tehran Province, Iran in 2006-2008

Karaj is an area with large influx of refugee people in Iran. To increase knowledge about parasitic infections, we carried out this research during 2006-2008. We recorded the stool examination results and some of their personal characteristics. A total of 13,915 human stools were examined, and 649 (4.7%) were positive for intestinal parasites. Among them, 13 (0.09%) had worm and 636 (4.6%) had protozoan infections. Maximum infections belonged to Giardia intestinalis, and 534 (3.8%) samples had this infection. Other parasitic infections included Entamoeba coli (0.39%), Entamoeba histolytica (0.021%), Blastocystis hominis (0.08%), Trichomonas hominis (0.1%), Iodamoeba butschlii (0.06%), Chilomastix mesnili (0.007%), Endolimax nana (0.05%), Enterobius spp. eggs (0.028%), Taenia proglottids (0.028%), and Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (0.03%). The maximum numbers of referred people to laboratories were in July and the maximum percentage of infections was in August. There is a point that all 5 Strongyloides stercoralis infections were pertained to 2008. With attention to the rate of parasitic infections (4.7%), it seems that we should take additional educational information to wide spectrum of people living in this city.     

A Comparison of Entomopathogenic Nematode Longevity in Soil under Laboratory Conditions

We compared the longevity of 29 strains representing 11 entomopathogenic nematode species in soil over 42 to 56 d. A series of five laboratory experiments were conducted with six to eight nematode strains in each and one or more nematode strains in common, so that qualitative comparisons could be made across experiments. Nematodes included Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (four strains), H. indica (Homl), H. marelatus (Point Reyes), H megidis (UK211), H. mexicana (MX4), Steinernema carpocapsae (eight strains), S. diaprepesi, S. feltiae (SN), S. glaseri (NJ43), S. rarum (17C&E), and S. riobrave (nine strains). Substantial within-species variation in longevity was observed in S. carpocapsae, with the Sal strain exhibiting the greatest survival. The Sal strain was used as a standard in all inter-species comparisons. In contrast, little intra-species variation was observed in S. riobrave. Overall, we estimated S. carpocapsae (Sal) and S. diaprepesi to have the highest survival capability. A second level of longevity was observed in H. bacteriophora (Lewiston), H. megidis, S. feltiae, and S. riobrave (3–3 and 355). Lower levels of survivability were observed in other H. bacteriophora strains (Hb, HP88, and Oswego), as well as S. glaseri and S. rarum. Relative to S. glaseri and S. rarum, a lower tier of longevity was observed in H. indica and H. marelatus, and in H. mexicana, respectively. Although nematode persistence can vary under differing soil biotic and abiotic conditions, baseline data on longevity such as those reported herein may be helpful when choosing the best match for a particular target pest.     

A Human Case of Hymenolepis diminuta in a Child from Eastern Sicily

We report a case of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a 2-year-old child living in a suburban area of Catania, Italy. This case was initially referred to us as Dipylidium caninum infection, which was not cured after being treated twice with mebendazole. However, by analyzing the clinical presentation and stool samples we arrived to the diagnosis of H. diminuta infection. The case presented with atypical allergic manifestations which had never been reported as clinical features of symptomatic H. diminuta infection; remittent fever with abdominal pain, diffuse cutaneous itching, transient thoracic rash, and arthromyalgias. The patient was treated with a 7-day cycle of oral niclosamide, which proved to be safe and effective. This case report emphasizes that a correct parasitological diagnosis requires adequate district laboratories and trained personnel. In addition, we recommend the importance of reporting all H. diminuta infection cases, in order to improve knowledge on epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment protocols.     

Haemophilus influenzae: using comparative genomics to accurately identify a highly recombinogenic human pathogen

Background

Haemophilus influenzae is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that exclusively colonises humans and is associated with both acute and chronic disease. Despite its clinical significance, accurate identification of H. influenzae is a non-trivial endeavour. H. haemolyticus can be misidentified as H. influenzae from clinical specimens using selective culturing methods, reflecting both the shared environmental niche and phenotypic similarities of these species. On the molecular level, frequent genetic exchange amongst Haemophilus spp. has confounded accurate identification of H. influenzae, leading to both false-positive and false-negative results with existing speciation assays.

Results

Whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism data from 246 closely related global Haemophilus isolates, including 107 Australian isolate genomes generated in this study, were used to construct a whole-genome phylogeny. Based on this phylogeny, H. influenzae could be differentiated from closely related species. Next, a H. influenzae-specific locus, fucP, was identified, and a novel TaqMan real-time PCR assay targeting fucP was designed. PCR specificity screening across a panel of clinically relevant species, coupled with in silico analysis of all species within the order Pasteurellales, demonstrated that the fucP assay was 100 % specific for H. influenzae; all other examined species failed to amplify.

Conclusions

This study is the first of its kind to use large-scale comparative genomic analysis of Haemophilus spp. to accurately delineate H. influenzae and to identify a species-specific molecular signature for this species. The fucP assay outperforms existing H. influenzae targets, most of which were identified prior to the next-generation genomics era and thus lack validation across a large number of Haemophilus spp. We recommend use of the fucP assay in clinical and research laboratories for the most accurate detection and diagnosis of H. influenzae infection and colonisation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1857-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Children under Five Years of Age with Emphasis on Schistosoma mansoni in Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate,Ethiopia

Intestinal parasite infections are major public health problems of children in developing countries causing undernutrition, anemia, intestinal obstruction and mental and physical growth retardation. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among children under five years of age with emphasis on Schistosoma mansoni in Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted in under-five children living in Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate Ethiopia, April, 2013. Stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites using single Kato-Katz and single Sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) solution concentration methods. Out of 374 children examined using single Kato-Katz and single SAF-concentration methods, 24.3% were infected with at least one intestinal parasite species. About 10.4%, 8.8%, 4.6%, 2.9%, 1.6% and 0.8% of the children were infected with Hymenolepis nana, Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis and hookworm, respectively. Prevalence of double, triple and quadruple intestinal helminthic infection was 6.4%, 0.54% and 1.1%, respectively. A significant increase in prevalence of S. mansoni (8.3% versus 3.2%) and T. trichiura (2.7% versus 0.5%) infection was observed when determined via the single Kato-Katz method compared to the prevalence of the parasites determined via the single SAF-concentration method. On the other hand, the single SAF-concentration method (9.1%) revealed a significantly higher prevalence of H. nana infection than the single Kato-Katz (1.6%) does. In conclusion, intestinal helminths infections particularly S. mansoni and H. nana were prevalent in under-five children of Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate. Including praziquantel treatment in the deworming program as per the World Health Organization guidelines would be vital to reduce the burden of these diseases in areas where S. mansoni and H. nana infections are prevalent among under-fives. Kato-Katz can be used in estimating the prevalence of S. mansoni and other helminth infections.     

Predicted changes in vegetation structure affect the susceptibility to invasion of bryophyte-dominated subarctic heath

Background and Aims

A meta-analysis of global change experiments in arctic tundra sites suggests that plant productivity and the cover of shrubs, grasses and dead plant material (i.e. litter) will increase and the cover of bryophytes will decrease in response to higher air temperatures. However, little is known about which effects these changes in vegetation structure will have on seedling recruitment of species and invasibility of arctic ecosystems.

Methods

A field experiment was done in a bryophyte-dominated, species-rich subarctic heath by manipulating the cover of bryophytes and litter in a factorial design. Three phases of seedling recruitment (seedling emergence, summer seedling survival, first-year recruitment) of the grass Anthoxanthum alpinum and the shrub Betula nana were analysed after they were sown into the experimental plots.

Key Results

Bryophyte and litter removal significantly increased seedling emergence of both species but the effects of manipulations of vegetation structure varied strongly for the later phases of recruitment. Summer survival and first-year recruitment were significantly higher in Anthoxanthum. Although bryophyte removal generally increased summer survival and recruitment, seedlings of Betula showed high mortality in early August on plots where bryophytes had been removed.

Conclusions

Large species-specific variation and significant effects of experimental manipulations on seedling recruitment suggest that changes in vegetation structure as a consequence of global warming will affect the abundance of grasses and shrubs, the species composition and the susceptibility to invasion of subarctic heath vegetation.