Paragonimus kellicotti infection in wild carnivores in southwestern Ontario: II. Histopathologic features.

Pulmonary lesions associated with naturally acquired Paragonimus kellicotti infection were studied in mink (Mustela vison), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and a coyote (Canis latrans). In ,ink a fibrous capsule was formed around mature flukes in dilated bronchioles or bronchi, and there was mild focal interstitial pneumonitis adjacent to fluke eggs in alveoli and migrating parasites. A thick wall, infiltrated heavily with mononuclear cells and eosinophils, surrounded mature P. kellicotti in skunks and an extensive inflammatory reaction was found around fluke eggs. In red foxes the wall was thin, hemorrhagic and contained little collagen; necrosis was associated with migrating parasites. Thick capsules formed by marked fibroplastic changes in the lamina propria of affected bronchi were found in the coyote. In raccoons with pleural adhesions massive fibroplasia with eosinophil infiltration beneath the pulmonary pleura suggested a reaction to a migrating parasite entering the lung from the thoracic cavity. It was thought that immature P. kellicotti may have caused the lesion.     

Prevalence and pathology of nematode infections in the lungs of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) of the western arctic of Canada

Two genera of lung nematodes were found in a sample of 382 wild ringed seals (Phoca hispida). Otostrongylus circumlitus were found mainly in young of the year where they occupied the main stem bronchi causing extensive mucus production, mucosal hyperplasia and peribronchitis. Immature stages of the nematode were found in pulmonary vessels causing end-arteritis. There was only a slight reduction in respiratory parenchyma in infected seals and no correlation between infection and size or body condition. However, the sharp decline of O. circumlitus infection from 32% in young of the year to 0.5% after the first winter suggests that this parasite may play a role in the population dynamics of ringed seals. Filaroides (Parafilaroides) hispidus was found in alveoli of seals throughout all age classes causing no significant lesions. The infection rate increased from 44 to 71% in the 7 to 13-yr-old animals and declined to 38% in older seals. Concurrent infections occurred in 28% of young of the year seals.     

North American paragonimiasis. A case report

BACKGROUND: Paragonimiasis is a parasitic infection with a predilection for pulmonary involvement. Paragonimus species occur throughout the world and exist in nature in a snail-crustacean-mammalian life cycle. Human disease is most frequently encountered in cultures that ingest raw or undercooked crustaceans. North American paragonimiasis, caused by an endemic Paragonimus species, Paragonimus kellicotti, predominantly causes disease in carnivorous and omnivorous animals but may cause human disease if the intermediate host, the crayfish, is ingested raw or undercooked. CASE: A previously healthy, 21-year-old male was infected with P kellicotti and developed parasitic hemoptysis. The disease was contracted through the ingestion of local, undercooked crayfish. Diagnosis was established through the morphologic examination of eggs in the cytologic preparation of bronchioalveolar lavage fluid. The patient was successfully treated with praziquantel and recovered without incident. CONCLUSION: Paragonimiasis is a cause of parasitic hemoptysis worldwide. Paragonimiasis is infrequently encountered in North America and is usually not considered in the differential diagnosis of hemoptysis unless specific risk factors are known. The cytologist or cytopathologist, therefore, may be the first to encounter the diagnostic eggs and should be familiar with this disease.     

Parasitic infection of Filaroides osleri, Capillaria aerophila and Spirocera lupi in coyotes from the Southwestern United States

A total of 181 coyotes (Canis latrans) was examined for helminth parasites Filaroides osleri, Capillari aerophila, and Spirocerca lupi. Coyote carcasses were obtained from Kansas, western Oklahoma-northern Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and southern California. Cysts of F. osleri were present in the trachea or bronchial division in 39 (22%) coyotes. C. aerophila were present in only 7 (4%) coyotes. S. lupi lesions were present in the aorta of 59 (33%) coyotes. Esophageal infections of S. lupi were found in only 4 of 142 (3%) coyotes. F. osleri, C. aerophila and S. lupi infections were more prevalent in western Oklahoma-northern Texas, low in southern Arizona-California, and absent in northern Arizona.     

Mortality in Syrian hamsters infected with Paragonimus kellicotti.

In an attempt to find a small animal model for paragonimiasis, Syrian hamsters were infected with between 1 and 16 metacercariae of Paragonimus kellicotti. A definitive mortality dose-response was observed with 90% of all hamsters given 3 or more parasites succumbing to the infection within 35 days. Hamsters demonstrated acute pleuritis, reactive mesothelial hyperplasia, subpleural accumulations of reactive and mature plasma cells, neovascularization, fibrohistiocytic thickening with and without giant cells, raised fibroconnective tissue lesions, and granulomatous inflammation with hemorrhage. Perivascular plasmacytic (lymphocytic) infiltrate, multifocal bronchopneumonia, and parenchymal necrotizing suppurative granulomatous inflammation, hemorrhagic pneumonia, and diffuse sprinkling of eosinophils, neutrophils, and intraalveolar macrophages also were observed. The response observed here may represent a new small animal mortality model useful in the search for new compounds to treat early trematode infections.     

The flagellar apparatus of heteroloboseans

The flagellar apparatus of four heterolobosean species Percolomonas descissus, Percolomonas sulcatus, Tetramitus rostratus, and Naegleria gruberi were examined. P. descissus lives in oxygen-poor water. It is a quadriflagellated cell with a ventral groove. The two pairs of basal bodies are connected to an apical structure from which the peripheral dorso-lateral microtubules and a short striated rhizoplast originate. There is one major microtubular root, R1, which originates from the posterior basal body pair and splits into left and right portions that support the sides of the ventral groove. The anterior pair of basal bodies is associated with a root of four to five microtubules that runs to the left of the groove. This organisation is similar to that previously reported for Psalteriomonas, Lyromonas, and Percolomonas cosmopolitus. Percolomonas sulcatus has two parallel pairs of basal bodies, each of which is associated with a well-developed R1 root. These roots divide to give two distinct left portions and one merged right portion that support the margins of the slit-like ventral groove. Tetramitus rostratus has two pairs of basal bodies, several rhizoplast fibres, and two R1 roots. Each R1 root supports one wall of the ventral groove. Naegleria gruberi may have two pairs of basal bodies, each associated with a microtubular root and one long rhizoplast fibre. From available data, a 'double bikont'-like organisation of the heterolobosean flagellar apparatus is inferred, where both of the eldest basal bodies have largely 'mature' complements of microtubular roots. The cytoskeletal organisation of heteroloboseans is compared to those of (other) excavates. Our structural data and existing molecular phylogenies weaken the case that Percolomonas, Psalteriomonas, and Lyromonas are phylogenetically separable from other heteroloboseans, undermining many of the highest-level taxa proposed for these organisms, including Percolozoa, Striatorhiza, Percolomonada, Percolomonadea, and Lyromonadea.     

Helminths of sympatric striped, hog-nosed, and spotted skunks in west-central Texas

Twenty-eight hog-nosed skunks (Conepatus leuconotus), 23 striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and nine spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis) from an area of sympatry in west-central Texas were examined for helminth parasites. Shared helminth species among all three host species were one nematode (Physaloptera maxillaris), two acanthocephalans (Pachysentis canicola, Macracanthorhynchus ingens), and one cestode (Mathevotaenia mephitis). Two nematodes (Gongylonema sp. and Filaria taxidaea) occurred in both the striped and hog-nosed skunks. One nematode (Filaroides milksi) and one acanthocephalan (Oncicola canis) were collected only from C. leuconotus. The most common helminth infections for striped and hog-nosed skunks were P. maxillaris and P. canicola. Helminth species richness was highest in hog-nosed skunks, but striped skunks had the highest prevalences and intensities of all the common helminth species. The helminth fauna of spotted skunks was markedly depauperate in terms of species richness and helminth abundance compared to the other two host species. Differences in helminth communities across these three sympatric skunks may be related to differences in their relative abundance, behavior, food habits, and geographic range.     

Development of eggs and larvae of the flounders Rhombosolea tapirina and Ammotretis rostratus (Pisces: Pleuronectidae)

The stages of development of laboratory-reared eggs and larvae of Rhombosolea tapirina and Ammotrelis rostratus are described. They both exhibited á typical pleuronectid pattern of development. At ambient seawater temperature of 11.1–13.8° C R. tapirina eggs hatched 83–93 h after fertilization and larvae metamorphosed c. 65 days later at mean length of 8.83 mm. Hatching of A. rostratus eggs occurred 93–105 h after fertilization and larvae metamorphosed after c. 69 days (mean length 11.21 mm) at 12.7–16.5° C. The two species can be readily separated by their morphology, meristics and pigmentation. In particular, the eggs differ in diameter, only R. tapirina larvae possess a pair of spines in the otic region, and juvenile A. rostratus have only a left pelvic fin.     

Distribution and biology of Alepocephalus rostvatus from the Mediterranean Sea

In the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean) A. rostratus was found on the bottom below 500 m and reached its maximum abundance and biomass at 1100–1300 m depth, being captured down to 2209 m. Mean fish size increased progressively with depth. Larger fish were predominantly females, and 50% of maturity was reached at 23–6 and 27–7 cm in males and females, respectively. Although a high percentage of the population was mature all year round, a peak was attained in autumn, coinciding with the slowest growth of the species. Size-at-age indicated a slow growth rate. The greatest observed age was 23 years, although most of individuals were 7–12 years old. Overall, A. rostratus can be considered as a typical K-strategist, showing a good adaptation to the oligotropic deepsea environment.     

Adaptive colouration of Mediterranean labrid fishes to the new habitat provided by the introduced tropical alga Caulerpa taxifolia

Since the introduction of the invasive tropical alga Caulerpa taxifolia in the Mediterranean Sea. a new, uniformly green habitat has been available to local fish assemblages. Underwater visual censuses of three species, Symphodus ocellatus, Symphodus roissali and Coris julis , revealed a higher proportion of green morphs in the C. taxifolia meadows compared to those inhabiting their usual indigenous habitats. In a fourth species, Symphodus rostratus , the distribution of the different colour morphs did not differ between the two habitats investigated. Experiments in aquaria proved that S. ocellatus and S. roissali were homochromic species able to adapt their colouration to the environment. In contrast, no colour change was observed in S. rostratus during the experiments.     

Parasites of the coyote (Canis latrans) in central Utah.

Seventeen coyotes, Canis latrans, from central Utah were surveyed for parasites. Five species of parasites not reported previously from coyotes in Utah were detected: Filaroides osleri, Physaloptera sp., Spirocerca sp., Ancylostoma caninum, and Cediopsylla simplex. In all, 11 genera of parasites were observed.     

Anaerobic bacterial infection of the lung

Anaerobic bacteria are relatively frequent pathogens in pulmonary infections that are associated with aspiration and its associated complications including aspiration pneumonitis, lung abscess, necrotizing pneumonia and empyema. These conditions have been studied since the early 1900’s and substantial data with important clinical and microbiologic information are now readily available. However, the reports of these infections in the past 20 years have been sparse in number and much of the previous information relevant to this topic seems much less visible or apparent. The purpose of this report is to summarize the previous data and to celebrate the enormous contributions of Dr. Sydney Finegold to this topic.     

Clinical characteristics and epidemiology of pulmonary pseudallescheriasis

BackgroundSome members of the Pseudallescheria (anamorph Scedosporium) have emerged as an important cause of life-threatening infections in humans. These fungi may reach the lungs and bronchial tree causing a wide range of manifestations, from colonization of airways to deep pulmonary infections. Frequently, they may also disseminate to other organs, with a predilection for the brain. In otherwise healthy patients, the infection is characterized by non-invasive type involvement, while invasive and/or disseminated infections were mostly seen in immunocompromised patients.AimsWe reviewed all the available reports on Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium pulmonary infections, focusing on the geographical distribution, immune status of infected individuals, type of infections, clinical manifestations, treatment and outcome.Results and conclusionsThe main clinical manifestations of the 189 cases of pulmonary pseudallescheriasis reviewed were pneumonia (89), followed by fungus ball (26), and chest abscess (18). Some patients had more than one type of invasive pulmonary manifestations. Among patients with pneumonia, several cases of pneumonia associated with near-drowning (10/89, 11.2%) have also been reported in immunocompetent hosts. Major underlying conditions for non-invasive pulmonary infection were preexisting lung cavities and medical immunosuppression for invasive pulmonary infection. Saprobic airway colonization was mostly seen in patients with mucosal dysfunction, i.e. patients with cystic fibrosis. The mortality rate was closely related to the infection type, being 26.8% in non-invasive type (fungus balls) and 57.2% in invasive type.     

Pathogenicity of Haemoproteus danilewskyi,Kruse, 1890, in blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata)

Although the impact of blood parasite infections on passerine birds is potentially great, little is known of their pathologic effects. We studied Haemoproteus danilewskyi in experimentally infected captive and naturally infected free-ranging blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) to determine patterns of infection and examine the pathologic effects of the parasite on the host. Physiologic changes, such as elevated numbers of lymphocytes, heterophils, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes and decreased packed cell volume in the peripheral blood were associated with the erythrocytic phase of experimental infections of captive juvenile jays. Sublethal pathologic changes associated with the pre-erythrocytic phase of infections were observed in the liver, lung, and spleen. Schizonts were observed in the pulmonary capillaries of a 1 yr old jay necropsied 31 days post-inoculation, but not in 20 juvenile jays necropsied 57 days post-inoculation. In free-ranging naturally infected jays plasma protein concentration increased with density of natural infections.     

Revision of the Australian Coccinellidae (Coleoptera). Part 3. Tribe Sukunahikonini

Abstract  The Australian members of the circumtropical coccinellid tribe Sukunahikonini are revised and placed in three genera: Scymnomorphus Weise (five species), Pharellus Sicard (two species) and Paraphellus Chazeau (two species). Scymnus rostratus Lea, 1929 is transferred to Paraphellus as P. rostratus (Lea) comb. n. The following new species are described from Australia: Pharellus glabratus sp. n., P. popei sp. n.; Paraphellus magnopunctatus sp. n.; Scymnomorphus fulvus sp. n., S. hirtus sp. n., S. ker sp. n., S. luteus sp. n., S. storeyi sp. n. Nomenclatural history, diagnoses and distribution are provided for each species. Keys to the genera and species are included.     

Predictors and Outcomes of Infection-Related Hospital Admissions of Heart Failure Patients

Background

Infections are one of the most common causes for hospitalization of patients with heart failure (HF). Yet, little is known regarding the prevalence and predictors of different types of acute infections as well as their impact on outcome among this growing population.

Methods and Results

We identified all patients aged 50 or older with a major diagnosis of HF and at least one echocardiography examination who had been hospitalized over a 10-year period (January 2000 and December 2009). Infection-associated admissions were identified according to discharge diagnoses. Among 9,335 HF patients, 3530 (38%) were hospitalized at least once due to infections. The most frequent diagnoses were respiratory infection (52.6%) and sepsis/bacteremia (23.6%) followed by urinary (15.7%) and skin and soft tissue infections (7.8%). Hospitalizations due to infections compared to other indications were associated with increased 30-day mortality (13% vs. 8%, p<0.0001). These higher mortality rates were predominately related to respiratory infections (OR 1.28 [95% CI 1.09, 1.5]) and sepsis\bacteremia (OR 3.13 [95% CI 2.6, 3.7]). Important predictors for these serious infections included female gender, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, past myocardial infarction and echocardiography-defined significant right (RV) but not left ventricular dysfunction.

Conclusions

Major infection-related hospitalizations are frequent among patients with HF and are associated with increased mortality rates. Elderly female patients with multiple comorbidities and those with severe RV dysfunction are at higher risk for these infections.     

A novel mutation for TAP deficiency and its possible association with Toxoplasmosis

We describe two siblings (a male patient and his older sister) with a novel mutation in the peptide transporter associated to antigen processing (TAP). The index case presented with not only granulomatous skin lesions and recurrent sino-pulmonary infections, often associated with this deficiency, but also a severe pulmonary toxoplasmosis. His toxoplasmosis and skin lesions were successfully treated.     

Ciliary activity of cells of gill and leg glimmeral epithelium of Unionidae invaded by trematodes of Aspidogaster conchicola and Bucephalus polymorphus

The paper provides data concerning the influence of the parasitic worms Aspidogaster conchicola and Bucephalus polymorphus on the rate and duration of ciliary beating of gill and leg in 7 species of Unionidae (Unio conus borysthenicus, U. tumidus falcatulus, U. rostratus rostratus, U. limosus graniger, U. pictorum ponderosus, Colletopterum piscinale falcatum, C. ponderosum rumanicum). The high level of infection of molluscs with B. polymorphus oppresses the glimmeral epithelium activity of gill and leg (by 4.2-32.3%). The weak and moderate levels of infection of molluscs with B. polymorphus do not decrease the glimmeral epithelium activity and sometimes even rise it (by 3.4-8.1%). The presence of few A. conchicola (1-3 individuals) in the organism of mollusc does not change the functioning of glimmeral epithelium.     

Ataxia-Telangiectasia

Ataxia-telangiectasia is a syndrome of progressive cerebellar ataxia and other neurological manifestations associated with conjunctival and cutaneous telangiectases and with recurrent sino-pulmonary infections. Immunological and endocrine abnormalities occur. Two girls with this disease are described. The first had only minor respiratory infections; her serum proteins and immunity responses appeared normal. The second had recurrent pulmonary infections and bronchiectasis; she also exhibited sclerodermatous changes, poor development of secondary sexual characteristics with low urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids, and lymphopenia. Autopsy at 17 years showed bilateral ovarian dysgerminomata and excessive cutaneous collagen as well as atrophy, and perhaps hypoplasia, of adrenals, thymus, spleen and lymphoid tissue (after steroid therapy). The cerebellum exhibited cortical degeneration. Both lungs were fibrotic with old and recent bronchopneumonia and bronchiectasis. The left lung was studied by injection of a latex preparation; no arteriovenous aneurysms were found, but the smaller pulmonary vessels showed some unusual morphological characteristics.