Cestodiasis inusual en infante español

Helminth parasites in faecal samples from the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus).

The Iberian lynx is the most endangered felid in the world. Enteropathogens may threaten its survival, and therefore we analysed faecal samples from 66 different individuals (37 males and 29 females), the largest population representation studied to date. The samples were obtained from November 2005 to October 2008 in the two areas where the Iberian lynx survives: Sierra Morena and Donana (Andalusia, southern Spain). A total of 56.1% samples were parasitized with at least 6 species of helminths, including two cestodes (Hymenolepis spp. and Taenia spp.) and four Nematodes (Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara spp., Toxascaris leonina, and Capillaria sp.). In this work, the presence of Hymenolepis is r…

Composition and structure of helminth communities in two populations of Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Spain

The community composition and structure of helminths of Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) from two widely separated Spanish localities, El Saler (n = 42) and the San Pedro pothole (n = 34), were determined and compared. Five species of trematodes, Plagiorchis (Plagiorchis) sp., Lecithodendrium (Lecithodendrium) linstowi Dollfus, 1931, Prosthodendrium (Prosthodendrium) sp., Pycnoporus heteroporus (Dujardin, 1845) and Parabascus semisquamosus (Braun, 1900), and one species of cestode, Hymenolepis pipistrelli López-Neyra, 1941, were found. The two bat populations harboured the same helminth species and showed the same trematode dominance, but the most important differences between the…

Specific tyrosine phosphorylation in response to bile in Fasciola hepatica and Echinostoma friedi

Protein tyrosine phosphorylation (PY) is a well-known signalling mechanism which is also involved in host-parasite interactions. Despite its transcendence, PY has been poorly studied in parasitic helminths. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of bile salts on the PY pattern in parasitic trematodes. Two distinct adult models were analysed: Echinostoma friedi, of intestinal habitat, and Fasciola hepatica, naturally inhabitant of host biliary channels. Our results show that bile salts induce specific and distinct protein PY in both trematode species, indicating that this signalling process seems to be also involved in host-trematode relationships.

Agua para biberones y parásitos patógenos

Teniasis en una niña española

Hookworm-like eggs in children’s faecal samples from a rural area of Rwanda

Background: Hookworm eggs identification and quantification is usually carried out by Kato-Katz method. However various structures present in the smear may be confused with eggs of such parasites. Objective: To document the presence of structures in Kato-Katz slides that could initially be misinterpreted as hookworm eggs. Method: 497 faecal samples were analysed by Kato-Katz technique, diphasic concentration technique, agar-plate coprocultive and larvae obtained were analysed by PCR and characterized by sequencing. Result: Hookworm-like eggs were found in 159 (32%) of the samples by Kato Katz, finally identified as Caenorhabditis elegans by PCR technique. Conclusion: The diagnosis of human …

Identification of proteins in excretory/secretory extracts of Echinostoma friedi (Trematoda) from chronic and acute infections.

In the present study, we describe the investigation of Echinostoma friedi excretory/secretory products using a proteomic approach combined with the use of heterologous antibodies. We have identified 18 protein spots corresponding to ten proteins, including cytoskeletal proteins like actin, tropomyosin, and paramyosin; glycolytic enzymes like enolase, glyceraldehyde 3P dehydrogenase, and aldolase; detoxifying enzymes like GSTs; and stress proteins like heat shock protein (Hsp) 70. Among these proteins, both actin and, to a lesser extent, Hsp70, exhibited differential expression patterns between chronic and acute infections in the Echinostoma-rodent model, suggesting that these proteins may p…

Proteomic analysis of the pinworm Syphacia muris (Nematoda: Oxyuridae), a parasite of laboratory rats

Syphacia muris (Nematoda: Oxyuridae) is a ubiquitous nematode that commonly infects rats in the laboratory which can interfere in the development of biological assays. The somatic extract of S. muris adults collected from infected rats was investigated using a proteomic approach. A shot-gun liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry procedure was used. We used the MASCOT search engine (Matrix-Science) and ProteinPilot software v2.0 (Applied Biosystems) for the database search. A total of 359 proteins were accurately identified from the worms. The largest protein families consisted of metabolic enzymes and those involved in the nucleic metabolism and cell cycle. Proteins of transmembrane…

Echinostomes: systematics and life cycles

This chapter provides a review of the most significant literature in the last decade on the systematics and biology of echinostomes and echinostome-like digeneans. This review is primarily concerned with members of the genus Echinostoma, although members of other genera (Echinoparyphium, Echinochasmus, Himasthla, Hypoderaeum, Petasiger, Euparyphium, Stephanoprora, Isthmiophora, and Acanthoparyphium) and echinostome-related genera (Parorchis, Philophthalmus and Ribeiroia) are also considered. The literature on molecular systematics and morphometrics of these trematodes is reviewed. Specific mention is made of the life cycle patterns of echinostome and echinostome-like digeneans along with an…

Euparyphium albuferensis and Echinostoma friedi (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae): Experimental cercarial transmission success in sympatric snail communities

Euparyphium albuferensis and Echinostoma friedi cercarial infectivity to four species of sympatric snails was exam- ined under single- or multiple-choice laboratory conditions to show the level of parasite-snail host compatibility. Radix peregra, Lymnaea fuscus, Physella acuta and Gyraulus chinensis act as second intermediate hosts of both parasite species although differ- ent cercarial transmission success (CTS) was observed. In single-host experiments, R. peregra and P. acuta showed a high de- gree of compatibility with E. albuferensis, while only P. acuta in the case of E. friedi. In two-choice snail communities, a snail with high CTS increased the values of another with low compatibilit…

Intestinal symptoms and Blastocystis load in schoolchildren of Paranaguá Bay, Paraná, Brazil

ABSTRACT The symptomatology of Blastocystis cannot be attributed to any particular subtype, although can be related to a high Blastocystis infection load. One stool sample from each of 217 schoolchildren of Vale de Sol Paranaguá Bay (Paraná, Brazil) was collected. Three milliliters of each fixed stool sample were processed applying the formalin-ether concentration technique. After obtaining the overall prevalence of intestinal parasites, quantification was carried out in Blastocystis positive samples. A total of 75/217 (34.6%) children suffered from intestinal symptoms (abdominal pain and/or persistent diarrhea), of whom 41.3% (31/75) presented moderate/heavy Blastocystis load with a statis…

Echinostoma caproni: identification of enolase in excretory/secretory products, molecular cloning, and functional expression.

In order to investigate molecules that could be involved in host-trematode relationships, we have analysed the excretory/secretory products (ESP) of Echinostoma caproni following a proteomic approach. Actin, Gluthathione S-transferase (GST) and enolase have been identified in the ESP. Enolase, observed to be one of the most abundant proteins, was further characterized. The molecular cloning and in vitro expression in Escherichia coli of E. caproni enolase allowed us to determine that the protein contains 431 amino acids and a theoretical MW of 46272 Da. E. caproni enolase shows high homology to other trematode enolases. The recombinant protein binds specifically to human plasminogen in vitr…

Evidence for Transmission of Taenia solium Taeniasis/Cysticercosis in a Rural Area of Northern Rwanda

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the metacestode larval stage (cysticercus) of Taenia solium. In humans, cysticercosis may infect the central nervous system and cause neurocysticercosis, which is responsible for over 50,000 deaths per year worldwide and is the major cause of preventable epilepsy cases, especially in low-income countries. Cysticercosis infection is endemic in many less developed countries where poor hygiene conditions and free-range pig management favor their transmission. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 680 children from a rural primary school in Gakenke district (Northern province of Rwanda). Stool samples were collected from participants and analy…

Hyperendemic human fascioliasis in Andean valleys: an altitudinal transect analysis in children of Cajamarca province, Peru.

Abstract A coprological survey including 476 2–18 year old school children from six rural localities between 2627 and 3061 m altitude was performed in Cajamarca province, Peru. Prevalences of fascioliasis ranging from 6.7 to 47.7% (mean 24.4%) proved to be the highest so far recorded in that human hyperendemic area. Higher prevalences in females and in the 2–5 year old group were not significant. Intensities ranged from 24 to 864 eggs per gram (arithmetic mean: 113; geometric mean: 68), the majority shedding less than 100, and without significant differences according to gender or age group. Fasciola hepatica was the most common helminth within a spectrum of 11–12 protozoan and 9–11 helmint…

Reduced prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and high frequency of protozoan infections in the surrounding urban area of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

Human populations living in the surrounding urban areas of large Brazilian cities have increased vulnerability to intestinal parasites. However, the epidemiological scenario of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in Curitiba, Paraná's main city, remains largely unknown. To bridge this gap of knowledge, this study aims to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and to investigate potential transmission pathways of the most prevalent species detected. We conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study between July and September 2014 among schoolchildren in urban and peri-urban (deprived) areas of the municipality of Campo do Tenente, Curitiba. A total of 549 stool samples were used fo…

Prevalence of intestinal parasites, with emphasis on the molecular epidemiology of Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp., in the Paranaguá Bay, Brazil: a community survey

BACKGROUND: Intestinal protozoan parasites are major contributors to the global burden of gastrointestinal disease causing significant socioeconomic consequences. Children living in resource-poor settings with restricted access to water and sanitary services are particularly at risk of these infections. METHODS: A prospective, community-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in Paraná (southern Brazil) between May 2015 and May 2016. A total of 766 stool samples were individually collected from volunteers (male/female ratio: 0.99; age range: 0-76 years) and used for investigating the presence of intestinal helminth and protozoan species by routine microscopic procedures including the Ka…