Acquired resistance in sheep to infection with larvae of the blowfly, Lucilia cuprina

Acquired resistance in sheep to infection with larvae of the blowfly, Lucilia cuprina. International Journal for Parasitology16: 69–75. Resistance to blowfly larvae infections developed in sheep exposed to at least four consecutive infections. Half of the sheep treated showed significant levels of resistance, the others remained susceptible. This resistance took the form of a decreased yield of third instar larvae in comparison to controls and sheep which remained susceptible. In addition an increased sensitivity to larvae developed, as shown by the area of wound obtained per maggot recovered, by the early appearance in resistant sheep of exudate from the infection site and by skin reactions to larval products. Radioimmunoassays demonstrated high levels of serum antibody against larval excretory/secretory antigens, though the response did not peak until after four infections. Resistant animals showed somewhat lower antibody titres than susceptible sheep. Consecutive infections of only 50 larvae failed to induce resistance to larger challenge infections. It is suggested that consecutive infections of larger numbers of maggots induce a hypersensitivity response which may effect larval survival especially of first and second instar maggots.     

Acquired resistance of sheep to larvae of Lucilia cuprina, assessed in vivo and in vitro

The effect on subsequent larval survival of infesting sheep repeatedly with larvae of Lucilia cuprina was assayed in vivo and in vitro. One in vivo assay technique, in which implanted larvae were grown to third instar, indicated a significant reduction in larval survival; another in vivo technique, in which larvae were allowed to develop to second instar in small aluminium rings attached to the sheep, indicated no reduction in larval growth or survival. Larvae of Lucilia cuprina grown in vitro on media containing sera from previously infested sheep were significantly retarded in growth after 20 h compared with controls; no difference was detected when larvae were allowed to develop to pupation on two changes of the same media. No significant differences in survival of larvae either to 20 h or to pupation were obtained between the two treatments. ELISA antibody levels against crude soluble larval material were significantly higher for sera from infested sheep than for control sera, and the regression of antibody level on mean larval weight obtained after 20 h growth in vitro was significant. The immunoglobulin fraction isolated from sera of infested sheep significantly retarded larval growth when incorporated with normal serum in growth media. These results are consistent with an effect of specific anti-larval antibody produced by sheep in response to infestation.     

Initial characterisation of the sheep immune response to infections of Lucilia cuprina

Assays for total serum antibody, histamine sensitivity and the presence of reaginic antibodies were carried out on sheep repeatedly infected with first stage larvae of Lucilia cuprina. Effects of the sheep response on the larvae were monitored at the final infection and compared with control animals by the recovery of larvae and measurement of the wound caused by the larvae. Overall larval survival was not significantly different in the pre-infected group though wound sizes were smaller. Histamine sensitivity appeared to correlate with wound size only in the control group. Thus recent infection experience may lead to immune responses which override non-specific inflammatory events and cause smaller wound sizes. A sub-group of the pre-infected sheep had lower larval survival and smaller wound sizes than the other animals and this correlated with increased levels of reaginic antibody and lower total antibody levels. The results suggest a genetic basis for resistance to fly strike and the possible involvement of reaginic antibody in protective responses.     

Efficacy of leaves extract of Calotropis procera Ait. (Asclepiadaceae) in controlling Anopheles arabiensis and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes

The present study aimed to investigate, the larvicidal, adult emergence inhibition and oviposition deterrent activity of aqueous leaves extract of Calotropis procera against Anopheles arabiensis and Culex quinquefasciatus as natural mosquito larvicide. The larvicidal activity was monitored against 2nd, 3rd and 4th instar larvae of each mosquito species 24 h post-treatment. Adult emergence inhibition activity was tested by exposing 3rd instar larvae of each mosquito species to different concentrations of extracts (200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 ppm for An. arabiensis and 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 ppm for Cx. quinquefasciatus). Probit analysis was used to analyze data from bioassay experiments. The oviposition deterrent activity was tested by using three different concentrations of extracts (1000, 500 and 200 for An. arabiensis, and 1000, 500 and 100 for Cx. quinquefasciatus) that caused high, moderate and low larval mortality in the larvicidal experiment against 3rd instar larvae. It was found that, LC50–LC90 values calculated were 273.53–783.43, 366.44–1018.59 and 454.99–1224.62 ppm for 2nd, 3rd and 4th larval instars, respectively, of An. arabiensis and 187.93–433.51, 218.27–538.27 and 264.85–769.13 ppm for 2nd, 3rd and 4th larval instars, respectively, of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Fifty percent of adult emergence inhibition (EI50) was shown at 277.90 and 183.65 ppm for An. arabiensis and Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. The pupal stage was not affected till a concentration of 5000 ppm. The extract showed oviposition deterrence and effective repellence against both mosquito species at different concentrations, with the observation on that maximal eggs were laid in low concentration of extract. These results suggest that the leaves extract of C. procera possess remarkable larvicidal, adult emergence inhibitor, repellent and oviposition deterrent effect against both An. arabiensis and Cx. quinquefasciatus, and might be used as natural biocides for mosquito control.     

菜青虫感染蜡蚧轮枝菌后的组织病理变化

对感病菜青虫Pieris rapae组织切片的观察研究表明, 蜡蚧轮枝菌Verticillium lecanii主要通过昆虫的体壁侵染虫体。菜青虫各龄幼虫在体壁接菌12 h后,附着在虫体表面的孢子即可萌发。2～3龄幼虫,蜡蚧轮枝菌菌丝24 h就可穿透体壁进入血腔,48 h可见脂肪体等器官发生病变; 4～5龄幼虫,36 h菌丝才可穿透体壁,48 h可见虫体内有部分菌丝体。侵入虫体内的菌丝对寄生组织没有选择性。菌丝首先在入侵的血腔中生长,然后侵入脂肪体和肌肉,随菌丝在虫体内的增殖,中肠、马氏管、丝腺等相继被侵染。受侵的组织器管均发生明显的病变,如体壁分离,脂肪体变形、溶解,肌纤维排列松散,中肠上皮细胞脱落并出现许多空泡等。     

Cross-immunity between Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in sheep

Cross-protective immunity between the nematode parasites, Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, was examined in sheep vaccinated with irradiated larvae of either species. Secondary immunological responsiveness stimulated in this manner protected only against challenge infection with the species used for vaccination. Significant cross-protective immunity was not observed. Titres of serum antibody to an extract of adult but not infective larval T. colubriformis reflected the specificity for protective immunity. Immediate hypersensitivity skin reactions to nematode extracts did not reflect the antigen-specificity for protective immunity.     

Attempts to probe the antigens and protective immunogens of Trichostrongylus colubriformis in immunoblots with sera from infected and hyperimmune sheep and high- and low-responder guinea pigs

Comparison of antisera from sheep during primary infection and following vaccination and challenge with Trichostrongylus colubriformis, with antisera obtained following primary infection of high- and low-responder guinea pigs, failed to reveal different antigenic patterns in proteins separated from fourth stage larval extracts by two-dimensional electrophoresis and probed by the immunoblot technique.Generally, serum IgG reacted specifically with worm antigens of mol. wt greater than 94,000, whereas protection against challenge infection was elicited most effectively in the guinea pig by fractions in the 67,000–94,000 range.Most distinct separations of larval proteins by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were obtained by extraction of live larvae and the extracts used within 2–3 days.     

Uptake and fate of specific antibody in feeding larvae of the sheep blowfly,Lucilia cuprina

Abstract. The quantity of specific antibody ingested by larvae of Lucilia cuprina and its fate after ingestion were studied in larvae grown on sheep and on an artificial diet. Larvae grown to late first or early second instar on sheep vaccinated with horse myoglobin contained 66% less specific antibody detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay than larvae grown to a similar stage on an artificial diet containing 75% serum from the same sheep. A similar result was obtained when larvae were grown to mid-third instar. Larvae grown on sheep to first or second instar contained approximately the same quantity of specific antibody per unit weight of larvae as those grown to third instar. Larvae grown on diet to third instar contained 22% less specific antibody per unit weight than those grown to first or second instar. In larvae grown on diet to late third instar, ingested diet retained 91 ± 12% of its original specific antibody activity in the crop, 50 ± 11% in the anterior midgut, 8 ± 2% in the posterior midgut and 13 ± 6% in the hindgut. The mean concentration of total immunoglobulin detectable in the haemolymph of individual third instar larvae grown on diet was 1.7 ± 2.8 ug/ml. Assays of specific antibody in the haemolymph of similarly reared larvae indicated that all or most of this immunoglobulin remained functional. The implications of the quantities and distribution of ingested functional antibody found in feeding larvae of L.cuprina are discussed in relation to the possibility of vaccinating sheep against these larvae and the selection of likely internal targets as sources of potential protective antigens.     

Volatile constituents of larval osmeterial secretions in Papilio protenor demetrius

Remarkable differences were found between the chemical composition of the osmeterial secretions of 5th and the previous larval instars of a swallowtail, Papilio protenor demetrius Cr.The secretion of 5th instar larvae consisted principally of aliphatic acids and their esters: iso-butyric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, methyl iso-butyrate, methyl 2-methylbutyrate, ethyl iso-butyrate and ethyl 2-methylbutyrate. The secretions of 4th and 3rd instar larvae, which were substantially the same in their chemical constitution, predominantly comprised mono- and sesquiterpenoids such as α-pinene, β-myrcene, limonene, β-phellandrene, (Z)-β-ocimene, (E)-β-ocimene, β-elemene, β-caryophyllene, germacrene-B and caryophylleneoxide. The relative content of sesquiterpenic components exceed 80%.Such chemical disparity appeared to be associated with the conspicous change of body colouration at the fourth larval ecdysis.     

The mouse antibody response to Trichinella spiralis defines a single, immunodominant epitope shared by multiple antigens.

Immunoblot analysis was used to characterize the Trichinella spiralis L1 larval Ag recognized by antisera from T. spiralis-infected AKR/J mice. Antisera were analyzed for reactivity with crude worm extract, excretory/secretory proteins and cuticle proteins from L1 larvae. The response was biphasic; antibodies against one set of Ag were detected 13 days after infection (group I Ag), and antibodies against a different set of Ag were detected 35 days after infection (group II Ag). Excretory/secretory and cuticle proteins were recognized only by antibodies produced late in infection. The predominant isotype in day 42 antiserum was IgG1, and 80% of these IgG1 antibodies reacted with a stage-specific determinant shared by virtually all group II Ag. A mAb reactive with the shared determinant was used to purify the group II Ag from L1 larval extract. Such affinity-purified Ag were protective when used to immunize mice against subsequent infection, and T cells from infected mice proliferated when cultured with these Ag in vitro. Other mouse strains also made a strong serum antibody response to the group II Ag. We hypothesize that immune responses to the shared epitope play an important role in determining the outcome of the host-parasite interaction during infection.     

Cuterebra buccata: immune response in myiasis of domestic rabbits

Naturally infected rabbits (Oryctolagus) were used to define further the nature of the immune response in myiasis due to Cuterebra buccata. Third instar larvae were dissected into four fractions; (1) alimentary tract with attached organs, (2) hemolymph, (3) fat body with tracheae, and (4) cuticle with attached muscles. The antigens provoking immune phenomena in naturally infected rabbits were found to reside in the alimentary tract and hemolymph fractions only. All rabbits which were skin tested were found to exhibit delayed hypersensitivity and to have serum precipitins with specificity against these antigens. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activity was demonstrated only in sera from rabbits also exhibiting reaginic and/or Arthus-type skin hypersensitivities. With the use of immunoelectrophoresis four separate antigens were demonstrated in alimentary tract fractions. Larval dissections revealed the alimentary tract to be filled with cellular elements of rabbit whole blood. The immunologic findings are discussed in relation to this newly recognized feeding pattern and it is proposed that sensitization of the host occurs as a consequence of exogenous larval secretions injected at the time of feeding.     

Factors influencing the developmental capacity of Galleria larval epidermis

The nature of the cuticle secreted by integument from a day-1 penultimate instar larval Galleria when cultured in vivo in the abdomen of a last instar larva varied with the age of the host. When placed in a day-5 last instar larva, the implanted integument secreted a pupal cuticle at the time the host metamorphosed and became a pupa. However, when placed in a day-7 last instar larva the implant, from the same stage donor, secreted a larval cuticle at the time the host pupated. Experimental studies involving implantation of the integument for a 24 hr period, into various developmental stages of normal and ligated last instar larvae, pupae, and pharate adults, prior to placing it in a day-7 last instar larva suggest that a non-hormonal factor present in day-4 and -5 last instar larvae is important to initiate pupal syntheses.     

The larval melanin pattern in the moth Eudia pavonia and its initiating factors

Eudia pavonia larvae have a pattern of melanin spots in the two last larval instars that has a characteristic appearance in both stages. The degree of melanization is regulated by environmental factors. A high population density, on the basis of tactile stimuli, results in the highest grade of melanization. Similarly darkness, high air humidity, accompanied by fresh, juicy food, and a rise in temperature have a strongly melanizing influence. In contrast, isolated larvae in which there were few tactile stimuli, dryness, light, and lower temperature act against the deposition of melanin in the cuticle. The determining influence of these factors must always be able to be effective between ecdysis and apolysis in the two instars before the instar in which the definite pattern emerges, that is in the 2nd and 3rd instar for pattern formation in the 4th instar, and in the 3rd and 4th for the pattern formation in the 5th instar.The above-mentioned factors also affect the larvae when they were feeding on their feed plants in nature. Larval generations which feed on drier plants or which grow up during drier summer months have a predominating light pattern in contrast to larvae living on juicy plants or in the early summer.The regulation of the melanin pattern through the sensory and nervous system permit the supposition that hormones, possibly neurohormones participate.     

Phenoloxidases from larval cuticle of the sheep blowfly,Lucilia cuprina: Characterization,developmental changes,and inhibition by antiphenoloxidase antibodies

A tyrosinase, enzyme A (EC 1.10.3.1, o-diphenol: O₂ oxidoreductase), and a laccase, enzyme B (EC 1.10.3.2, p-diphenol: O₂ oxidoreductase), have been partially purified and characterized from larval cuticle of the sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina. Enzyme A is active toward a range of o-diphenols but not p-diphenols, is strongly inhibited by thiourea and phenylthiourea, has a pH optimum between 6.5 and 7.0, and yields a single, 60,000 molecular weight subunit following SDS gel electrophoresis. Enzyme B is active toward both o-diphenols and p-diphenols, is only slightly inhibited by phenylthiourea, has a pH optimum near 4.5, is highly thermostable, and has an apparent molecular weight of 90,000. Enzyme A appears to be activated from an inactive proenzyme in the cuticle and to be present throughout the wandering phase of the final larval instar, declining at pupariation. Enzyme B is present in active form, increases greatly in the cuticle just at the time of pupariation, and then decreases as sclerotization occurs. Antibodies against enzyme A have been raised in sheep and rabbits, and against enzyme B in rabbits, but diets containing antiphenoloxidase antibodies did not affect development or mortality of fly larvae.     

In vitro antibacterial activity and physicochemical properties of a crude methanol extract of the larvae of the blow fly Lucilia cuprina

The emergence of multidrug‐resistant bacterial strains has prompted the reintroduction of maggot therapy in the treatment of chronic, infected wounds. Many previous studies have demonstrated the potent antibacterial activity of larval excretions/secretions of the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera:Calliphoridae) against bacteria. However, the antibacterial activity of its sibling species, Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera:Calliphoridae) against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria has never been determined. The aim of this study was to develop a new procedure to produce whole body extract of larvae of L. cuprina via methanol extraction as well as to demonstrate the in vitro antibacterial activity of this extract against seven selected wound pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‐resistant S. aureus, S. epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). The turbidimetric assay demonstrated that L. cuprina larval extract was significantly potent against all bacteria tested (P < 0.001). Additionally, colony‐forming unit (CFU), agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays have confirmed the apparent potency of larval extract against P. aeruginosa. The reconstituted larval extract was highly robust and thermally stable. These observations substantiated the feasibility of the methanol extraction method in the production of larval extract.     

Retarded growth of Lucilia cuprina larvae on sheep and their sera following production of an immune response.

Attempts were made to immunize sheep against larvae of the sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina using supernatant and pellet prepared by centrifuging (100,000 g max) homogenates from whole second instar larvae of L. cuprina or their excised guts. Injection of supernatant from whole larvae and from two fractions of this supernatant, prepared by ammonium sulphate precipitation, significantly reduced (by 24-58%) the final weight of larvae grown in vivo (i.e. on immunized sheep) for 20 or 44 h. Serum from animals vaccinated with supernatant from whole larvae reduced larval weights by 12% after growth for 20 h in vitro (i.e. on diet containing serum from treated animals). Pellet material from whole larvae or guts, when injected into sheep, stimulated an immune response which reduced the weight of larvae by 20-23% after 20 or 48 h in vitro. Larvae grown on these animals were not reduced in weight. Immunoglobulin (Ig) isolated from serum of a sheep vaccinated with gut material strongly retarded growth of larvae in vitro, the effect increasing with Ig concentration. These results indicate that an immune response in sheep, induced by injecting extracts of L. cuprina larvae, substantially reduces growth of this parasite.     

Larval cuticle proteins of Lucilia cuprina: Electrophoretic separation,quantification and developmental changes

Proteins from isolated cuticles of third instar larvae of the sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina, have been solubilized with water or 7 M urea or 2% SDS. While 7 M urea or 2% SDS extract significantly more protein than water, the same major proteins, in the same relative proportions, are extracted by all three solutions. More than 80% of the cuticular protein is extracted by 7 M urea or 2% SDS. Extracted proteins resolve into nine major bands when analysed by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These proteins are anionic, relatively low in molecular weight (13–28 kd) and are essentially free of carbohydrate. Only minor differences exist between the proteins of two morphologically distinct cuticular regions. Cuticle proteins, extracted from larvae at different developmental stages (first, second and third instars) display quantitatively and qualitatively unique electrophoretic profiles. A number of proteins are common to all stages however. The electrophoretic profiles of proteins extracted from larval cuticles at various times within an instar also differ although the differences are largely quantitative. This is particularly evident during the transition from the feeding to the wandering stages of the third instar; the weight of the cuticle relative to that of the larva increases and this is accompanied by marked changes in the electrophoretic profile of the cuticle proteins.     

杠柳根皮乙醇提取液对蔬菜害虫小菜蛾的生物活性

采用95%乙醇对杠柳(Periploca sepium Bunge)根皮进行热提取,以叶片浸渍法和点滴法测定了提取液对小菜蛾(Plutella xylostella L.)的杀虫活性及其作用方式.结果显示,杠柳乙醇提取液稀释100倍处理对小菜蛾3龄和4龄幼虫24 h后的非选择性拒食率分别为87.3%和96.3%;100倍液浸叶饲喂处理对小菜蛾2龄幼虫72 h后的校正死亡率为80%,对小菜蛾3龄幼虫24 h和48 h后的生长抑制率为100%.杠柳乙醇提取液对小菜蛾幼虫具有较高的生物活性,其作用方式包括拒食作用、胃毒作用和生长抑制作用.此外,乙醇提取液对小菜蛾幼虫还有一定的触杀和内吸效应,并对小菜蛾成虫产卵有明显的忌避活性,但对小菜蛾卵没有杀伤作用.     

斑点野生稻拒食活性组分的分离及其对斜纹夜蛾消化酶活性的影响

为了进一步评估斑点野生稻Oryza punctata的抗虫性,采用液 液分配萃取和硅胶柱层析的方法,从斑点野生稻甲醇提取物中分离获得石油醚、氯仿、乙酸乙酯、正丁醇和水的萃取物,测定了其对斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura 3龄幼虫拒食活性。结果显示,氯仿萃取物比其他4种萃取物具有更高的拒食活性,在25 mg/mL的浓度下,24 h和48 h的拒食率分别为55.62%和52.66%。氯仿萃取物经硅胶柱层析后,得到14个组分。比较14个组分的拒食活性,发现组分4和10为主要的活性组分。这两个组分对斜纹夜蛾幼虫中肠脂肪酶和α-淀粉酶的活性都具有一定的抑制活性,其中组分10对脂肪酶具有显著的抑制效果,以1 mg/mL的浓度活体处理48 h和72 h抑制率分别达19.82％和34.60％; 对α-淀粉酶的影响在48 h和72 h内都具有显著的抑制效果,随着处理时间的延长,其抑制率逐步提高,72 h的抑制率分别为25.06％和27.40％。结果提示斜纹夜蛾幼虫中肠脂肪酶和α-淀粉酶可能是斑点野生稻拒食活性成分的作用靶标。