Some ultrastructural observations on the microfilaria of Breinlia sergenti-the pharyngeal thread and Innenkorper

Some ultrastructural observations on the microfilaria of Breinlia sergenti—the pharyngeal thread and Innenkorper.International Journal for Parasitology4: 375–382. The fine structure of the pharyngeal thread and the Innenkorper (inner body) of the microfilaria of Breinlia sergenti is described. The pharyngeal thread is seen as an elongated cuticular structure with associated nervous elements while the Innenkorper is sac-like in appearance. A possible function related to the transfer and storage of nutrient material is assigned to these structures.     

Rotavirus electropherotypes in Malaysian children.

A 12-month study was carried out on the molecular epidemiology of rotavirus in urban and suburban Malaysian children. Analysis of faecal samples from 973 hospitalized diarrhoeic children by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis detected 268 rotaviruses (28%). All isolates were group A rotaviruses, which produced 22 electropherotypes: 16 (91.5%) with long RNA migration patterns and 6 (8.5%) with short patterns. One of the long-pattern electropherotypes was the predominant strain (71.1% of the total electropherotypes) isolated during this study. Although 3 other strains were detected sporadically over the study period, 16 others were present only during the first 7 months and 2 others were confined to the last 5 months. Long- and short-pattern electropherotypes were found to co-circulate extensively. There was a significant association of short-pattern electropherotypes with infection in older children. In addition, the prevalence of vomiting and mean duration of diarrhoea were significantly associated with different electropherotypes.     

Prorocentrum minimum bloom and its possible link to a massive fish kill in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Northern Philippines

For the first time, a Prorocentrum minimum bloom at a maximum cell density of 4.7 × 10⁵ cells/L was recorded on January 31 to February 4, 2002 at Bolinao, Pangasinan, Northern Philippines where intensive and extensive aquaculture of Chanos chanos (milkfish) in fish pens and cages has been practiced for years now. The fish kill, which lasted almost simultaneously with the bloom of the organism had its peak when the organisms bloom was declining. Lack of oxygen in the cages and pens was the fundamental cause of the fish kill. Losses due to the fish kill were estimated at six million pesos (equivalent to US$ 120,000), which includes only the worth of dead cultivated fish. Lack of oxygen in the cages and pens was the fundamental cause of the fish kill, and toxicity of the Prorocentrum could not be confirmed. The cells had minute spinules equally all over the surface of valves. Intercalary striae were wide with many ridges perpendicular to valve margin. Outline of cells was rounder than typical P. minimum cells and similar to P. balticum. Recommendations for future research on the organism are incorporated together with monitoring and management interventions in order to mitigate or possibly prevent damages in similar future events.     

Bioindication in coral reef ecosystems

The concept of bioindication in the sense of the use of organisms for detecting environmental stress has been employed in coral reef conservation and management for the past several years. Important tools are coral growth rates and various community parameters, notably hard coral cover. The present need is the optimal coordination of international efforts for the earliest possible institution of an effective monitoring system.     

Are cytotoxic T cells a common homeostatic mechanism in responses to viruses, homografts and tumours?

Cytotoxic T cells (Tc) have been shown to be important in the rejection of histoincompatible tissue grafts. They are also generated in mice during infection with viruses that are known to express viral coded antigens at the infected cell surface, although their presence is much easier to demonstrate with some viral infections than with others. Cell-mediated lysis only occurs if the Tc and virus-infected target cells share gene products coded for in the K or D region of the H-2 complex. In the case of both ectromelia and influenza virus infection of mice, transfer of specific Tc to histocompatible, infected mice has been shown to significantly lower the virus titre in target organs (spleen and lungs respectively). In experimental animals with some tumours, there is increasingly good evidence for the expression of tumour specific transplantation antigens (TSTA) in the membrane of the malignant cells, yet there is little evidence for the presence of specific Tc which might control the growth of the tumour. Possible reasons for the lack of generation or expression of Tc in these situations are discussed.