Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons^™

American Society Of Parasitologists Newsletter, V. 24, No. 2, July 2002, Scott Lyell Gardner

American Society of Parasitologists: Newsletter

An issue of the American Society of Parasitologists' quarterly newsletter, also called the Journal of Parasitology Newsletter.

New And Known Species Of Litomosoides (Nematoda: Filarioidea): Important Adult And Larval Characters And Taxonomic Changes, Ricardo Guerrero, Coralie Martin, Scott Lyell Gardner, Odile Bain

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

During field surveys in Venezuela, Peru, and French Guiana, species of Litomosoides were recovered from bats and from a didelphid marsupial. Their morphology was studied, giving particular attention to the head and caudal papillae, the spicules (used to distinguish the carinii and sigmodontis groups of Litomosoides), and the microfilariae. Litomosoides wilsoni sp. n. from the short-tailed opossum Monodelphis emiliae is described from Peru; Litomosoides brasiliensis, Litomosoides chandleri, and Litomosoides guiterasi from bats are redescribed, and new hosts are recorded. For the first time, larval stages were recovered from bats (one male and one female fourth-stage larvae of …

Concurrent Infections And The Community Ecology Of Helminth Parasites, John J. Janovy Jr.

John J. Janovy, Jr. Publications

A literature review of the topic of concurrent infections and the community ecology of helminth parasites.

Morphometric Analysis Of Nonadult Characters Of Common Species Of American Gordiids (Nematomorpha: Gordioidea), Ben Hanelt, John J. Janovy Jr.

John J. Janovy, Jr. Publications

The nonadult stages, egg strings, eggs, larvae, and cysts of Gordius robustus, Paragordius varius, and Chordodes morgani are described morphometrically. The goal was to document the differences between species and to evaluate the usefulness of morphometrics in species identification. In concert, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA, a posteriori contrasts) statistical tests demonstrated that each species is morphometrically distinguishable from all others. Additionally, discriminant function analysis indicated that postseptum length, pseudointestine length, and stylet width were the most important variables in the discrimination of species based on larval characters. Finally, differences in oviposition behaviors …

Bolbophorus Damnificus N. Sp. (Digenea: Bolbophoridae) From The Channel Catfish Ictalurus Punctatus And American White Pelican Pelecanus Erythrorhynchos In The Usa Based On Life-Cycle And Molecular Data, Robin M. Overstreet, Stephen S. Curran, Linda M. Pote, D. Tommy King, Charles K. Blend, Walter D. Grater

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The common pathogenic prodiplostomulum metacercaria in the flesh, mostly near the skin, of pond-produced channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus has been demonstrated to be Bolbophorus damnificus Overstreet & Curran n. sp. The catfish acquires the infection from the snail Planorbella trivolvis, the only known first intermediate host, and the species is perpetuated through the American white pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos, as confirmed by experimental infections with nestling and dewormed adult pelican specimens in conjunction with molecular data. It differs from the cryptic species Bolbophorus sp., also found concurrently in the American white pelican, by having eggs 123–129 μm rather …

Phylogenetic Analysis Based On 18s Ribosomal Rna Gene Sequences Supports The Existence Of Class Polyacanthocephala (Acanthocephala), Martin Garcia-Varela, Michael P. Cummings, Gerardo Perez-Ponce De Leon, Scott Lyell Gardner, Juan P. Laclette

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Members of phylum Acanthocephala are parasites of vertebrates and arthropods and are distributed worldwide. The phylum has traditionally been divided into three classes, Archiacanthocephala, Palaeacanthocephala, and Eoacanthocephala; a fourth class, Polyacanthocephala, has been recently proposed. However, erection of this new class, based on morphological characters, has been controversial. We sequenced the near complete 18S rRNA gene of Polyacanthorhynchus caballeroi (Polyacanthocephala) and Rhadinorhynchus sp. (Palaeacanthocephala); these sequences were aligned with another 21 sequences of acanthocephalans representing the three widely recognized classes of the phylum and with 16 sequences from outgroup taxa. Phylogenetic relationships inferred by maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony analyses showed Archiacanthocephala …

Taking Evoultionary Transitions Seriously, Daniel R. Brooks

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The distinction between reversible and irreversible phenomena in biological information systems provides a basis for distinguishing microevolution from macroevolution. Biological transitions encompass the entire class of irreversible changes in biological systems, including physiological and developmental phenomena. Evolutionary transitions are the subset of biological transitions that have an impact on the quality and quantity of biological information transmitted to future generations. Evolutionary transitions are manifested empirically as macroevolutionary changes, i.e. evolutionary changes that can be detected only through phylogenetic analysis among groups of species sharing a unique common ancestry.

Composition And Method For The Prevention And Treatment Of Oxidative Damage In Ocular Tissues, Marjorie F. Lou, Nalini Raghavachari;, Fengyu Qiao

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Thioltransferase and derivatives thereof are provided. Methods of treating or preventing cataract formation comprosing administering thioltransferase or a derivative thereof are also provided. Thioltransferase or derivatives thereof are also useful for treating or preventing diseases resulting from or associated with oxidative stress. Human lens thioltransferase and a DNA sequence encoding the same are also provided.

American Society Of Parasitologists Newsletter, V. 24, No. 1, March 2002, Scott Lyell Gardner

American Society of Parasitologists: Newsletter

An issue of the American Society of Parasitologists' quarterly newsletter, also called the Journal of Parasitology Newsletter.

Identical Its-1 And Its-2 Sequences Suggest Spiculopteragia Asymmetrica And Spiculopteragia Quadrispiculata (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae) Constitute Morphologically Distinct Variants Of A Single Species (Research Notes), Mónica Santín-Durán, Concepción De La Fuente, José M. Alunda, Benjamin M. Rosenthal, Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Sequences of ITS-1 and ITS-2 rDNA for adult males of Spiculopteragia asymmetrica,/i> and Spiculopteragia quadrispiculata in red deer (Cervus elaphus) were determined. They were found to be identical, suggesting that S. asymmetrica and S. quadrispiculata represent a single species and do not refute the concept of dimorphic species in the Spiculopteragia.

Synopsis Of Freshwater Crayfish Diseases And Commensal Organisms, Brett F. Edgerton, Louis H. Evans, Frances J. Stephens, Robin M. Overstreet

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Disease agents and pests associated with freshwater crayfish fall into six main categories—viruses, bacteria, rickettsia-like organisms (RLOs), fungi, protists, and metazoans. Data and information on specific disease agents and pests from each of these categories are presented in this synopsis. Each agent or group of agents is considered under the following headings—condition, causative agent(s), life cycle/life history, epizootiology, pathology, pathogen viability. Information for the synopsis was obtained from the published literature and from personal contact with internationally recognized experts in freshwater crayfish aquaculture, biology, and disease. Data of relevance for import risk analysis are summarized.

Import risk analysis is the …

Book Review: Interrelationships Of The Platyhelminthes, Scott Lyell Gardner

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A review by Scott L. Gardner of Interrelationships of the Playthelminths by D. T. Littlewood and R. A. Bray (London: Taylor & Francis, 2001; 365 p.; ISBN: 0748409033).

Osmosensitive Release Of Neurotransmitter Amino Acids: Relevance And Mechanisms, Herminia Pasantes-Morales, Rodrigo Franco, Lenin Ochoa, Benito Ordaz

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Hyposmolarity activates amino acid efflux as part of the corrective volume process in a variety of cells. This review discusses the mechanism of amino acid release in brain cells preparations. Results present evidence of substantial differences between the efflux of taurine and that of GABA and glu-tamate, which besides a possible role as osmolytes, have a main function as synaptic transmitters. The differences found concern the efflux time course, the sensitivity to Cl^– channel blockers, the modulation by tyrosine kinases, the influence of PKC and the effect of cytoskeleton disruptive agents. While taurine efflux features fit well with the …

Wallinia Chavarriae N. Sp. (Trematoda: Macroderoididae) In Astyanax Aeneus (Günther, 1860) And Bryconamericus Scleroparius (Regan, 1908) (Osteichthyes: Characidae) From The Área De Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Anindo Choudhury, Rita Hartvigsen Daverdin, Daniel R. Brooks

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Wallinia chavarriae n. sp. is described from the small-bodied characids Astyanax aeneus and Bryconamericus scleroparius in the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, northwestern Costa Rica. The species differs from W. valenciae in possessing an acetabulum that is smaller than the oral sucker and vitelline follicles that are ovoid or rounded rather than elongate and tubular. Detailed comparison between these two species is handicapped by the less than satisfactory condition of the type and only museum specimen of W. valenciae. Wallinia chavarriae and W. valenciae belong to a subfamily of trematodes, Walliniinae, that arguably includes Creptotrematina spp., Magnivitellum simplex, and …

Yungasicola Travassosi Gen. N., Sp. N. (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae: Eurytrematinae) From Two Species Of Grass Mice Of The Genus Akodon Meyen (Rodentia: Muridae) From The Yungas Of Bolivia, Scott Lyell Gardner, Gerardo Perez-Ponce De Leon

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A new species and genus of digenetic trematode of the family Dicrocoeliidae is described from 2 species of grass mice, Akodon fumeus and Akodon mimus, both collected from an isolated area in the eastern part of the Andes mountains or Yungas of Bolivia. This species differs from all known dicrocoeliids in the unique disposition of the vitelline fields, the much less extensive uterus through the body of the worm (extending posteriad only just past the midline), and cecal branches that are generally conspicuous and lined with a thick layer of glandular epithelial tissue.

Distribution And Prevalence Of Echinococcus Multilocularis In Wild Predators In Nebraska, Kansas, And Wyoming, S. T. Stroandt, D. R. Virchow, M. W. Dryden, Scott E. Hygnstrom, K. R. Kazacos

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

To further determine the distribution and prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the central United States, 245 wild canids (125 red foxes, 120 coyotes) and 33 bobcats were collected from Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming and examined for this parasite. Animals examined included 11 red foxes from the western panhandle of Nebraska; 5 red foxes and 30 coyotes from southern Nebraska; 56 red foxes and 1 coyote from northeastern Nebraska; 20 red foxes, 63 coyotes, and 13 bobcats from northern Kansas; 2 red foxes, 26 coyotes, and 20 bobcats from southern Kansas; and 31 red foxes from eastcentral Wyoming. Of these, 27 …

Mechanisms Counteracting Swelling In Brain Cells During Hyponatremia, Herminia Pasantes-Morales, Rodrigo Franco, Benito Ordaz, Lenin D. Ochoa

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Water gain in the brain consequent to hyponatremia is counteracted by mechanisms that initially include a compensatory displacement of liquid from the interstitial space to cerebrospinal fluid and systemic circulation and subsequently an active reduction in cell water accomplished by extrusion of intracellular osmolytes to reach osmotic equilibrium. Potassium (K⁺), chloride (Cl^–), amino acids, polyalcohols, and methylamines all contribute to volume regulation, with a major contribution of ions at the early phase and of organic osmolytes at the late phase of the regulatory process. Experimental models in vitro show that osmolyte fluxes occur via leak pathways …

Influence Of Protein Tyrosine Kinases On Cell Volume Change-Induced Taurine Release, Herminia Pasantes-Morales, Rodrigo Franco

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Taurine efflux occurs in association with cell swelling in both hyposmotic and isosmotic conditions and during cell shrinkage in apoptotic death. Release occurs through a leak pathway, is largely Ca²⁺-independent and is sensitive to Cl^– channel blockers. Taurine efflux elicited by hyposmolarity is reduced or suppressed by tyrosine kinase blockers and increased by tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors. The specific kinases involved are still unknown and may be different in the various cell types. Non-receptor and scr-related protein kinases have been identified in some cells as elements that directly phosphorylate the taurine efflux pathway. Possible tyrosine kinase targets are …

Ecology And Host Specificity Of Laelapine Mites (Acari: Laelapidae) Of Small Mammals In An Atlantic Forest Area Of Brazil, Fernanda Martins-Hatano, Donald Gettinger, Helena G. Bergallo

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Mesostigmaticm ites of the Laelapinae Berlese, 1892 (Acari:Laelapidae) are nidicolous arthropods that commonly occur in the fur of Neotropical small mammmals. In this 2-yr study, the laelapine acarofauna associated with the small mammal community in an area of Atlantic forest on Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State, was examined, including observations on patterns of host specificity, mite dispersal, ecology, and food habits. A total of 1,347 laelapines was sampled from the pelage of 6 species of small mammals( Marmosops incanus, Nectomyss quamipes, Oryzomys russatus, Rhipidomys n. sp., Oxymycterus dasytrichus, and Trinomys dimidiatus), all of which occurred exclusively in …

Phylogenetic Positions Of The Bothitrematidae And Neocalceostomatidae (Monopisthocotylean Monogeneans) Inferred From 28s Rdna Sequences, Jean-Lou Justine, Richard Jovelin, Lassâd Neifar, Isabelle Mollaret, L.H. Susan Lim, Sherman S. Hendrix, Louis Euzet

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A molecular phylogeny was inferred from newly obtained partial (D1 domain) 28S rDNA gene sequences of Bothitrema bothi (Bothitrematidae), Neocalceostoma sp. (Neocalceostomatidae), Bravohollisia sp. (Ancyrocephalidae), and other already available sequences of Ancyrocephalidae, Anoplodiscidae, Pseudodactylogyridae, and Sundanonchidae, with the Diplectanidae as outgroup. Bothitrema, Anoplodiscus, and Sundanonchus formed a very robust clade that was the sister group to a group that included all other species examined. In this latter group, Neocalceostoma and Thaparocleidus were basal to a clade in which the Ancyrocephalidae and Pseudodactylogyridae were sister groups. Molecular results that suggest inclusion of the families Bothitrematidae, Anoplodiscidae, and Sundanonchidae in …

A Preliminary Analysis Of Proteolytic Activity Of Excretory-Secretory Products From Cyathostominea, Jane L. Kinsella, J. Ralph Lichtenfels, Michael F. Ryan

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The excretory-secretory product (ESP) derived from Cyathostominea in vitro was assessed, in terms of subunit composition, and proteolytic activity using as substrates azocasein and two synthetic fluorogenic peptides. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) resolved 13 subunits, and the presence of the protein cysteine proteinase activator dithiothreitol (DTT) revealed 21 subunits.DTTalso enhanced azocaseinolysis, and hydrolysis of carbobenzoxy-phenylalanyl-arginine-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (Z-Phe-Arg-NHMec) and carbobenzoxy-arginyl-arginine-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin (Z-Arg-Arg-NHMec). At the optimum pH of 5.5, hydrolysis of Z-Phe-Arg-NHMec was three-fold greater than that of Z-Arg-Arg-NHMec suggesting that the proteolytic specificities of the ESP are more like those of papain or cathepsin L, rather than cathepsin B. In SDS-PAGE …

The Structure Of The Nucleus Of Odonaticola Polyhamatus (Gregarinea: Actinocephalidae), A Parasite Of Mnais Strigata (Hagen) (Odonata: Calopterygidae), Kasumi Hoshide, John J. Janovy Jr.

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The nucleus of Odonaticola polyhamatus was isolated from the body and observed with light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. The nucleus had a thick thread-like structure with which it was tied to the septum. This thread-like structure has not been reported or described previously. The gregarine nuclear surface was covered with a fine fibrous net. This is the first report of the surface structure of a gregarine nucleus as revealed by SEM. Inside the nuclear membrane was a thin honeycomb layer similar to that reported for some other gregarines. Several spherical nucleoli and numerous electron dense small structures were …

Morphological Variation Of Allocreadium Lobatum (Digenea: Allocreadiidae) In The Creek Chub, Semotilus Atromaculatus (Osteichthyes: Cyprinidae), In Nebraska, Usa, Monte S. Willis

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

Allocreadium lobatum Wallin 1909, a parasite of fresh-water fish, was originally described as having distinct lobate testes, and subsequent descriptions have left this original description unchanged. The present study quantifies the observation of distinctly non-lobate testes that could be categorized as round or asymmetrical in addition to the previously described lobate testes. Six hundred thirty-six A. lobatum were collected from 228 Semotilus atromaculatus over a 9 month period. Overall, 21.3%, 61.6%, and 16% were found to be round, asymmetrical, and lobate testes respectively (N = 1,071). Analysis of testis morphology found the increasing presence of lobate testis as …

Methods And Compositions For Protection Against Bovine Viral Diseases, Subramaniam Srikumaran

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response against bovine viral epitopes. The methods comprise combining at least one heat shock protein with at least one bovine viral epitope to form a purified epitope/heat shock protein complex and administration of an immune system stimulating amount of the purified epitope/heat shock protein complex. The compositions comprise, a purified epitope/heat shock protein complex comprising at least one bovine viral epitope complexed with at least one heat shock protein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

Recommended Terminology And Advances In The Systematics Of The Cyathostominea (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) Of Horses, J. Ralph Lichtenfels, L. M. Gibbons, R. C. Krecek

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Terminology for common names for the Tribe Cyathostominea (cyathostomins), and disease caused by the nematodes (cyathostominosis), were recommended to replace the previously used names cyathostomes and cyathostomosis, which are ambiguous, inaccurate or synonymous, by the Third Internal Workshop on the Systematics of Cyathostominea of Horses, held in Stresa, Italy, 28 August 2001. The progress by this international working group at three workshops is reviewed briefly and a list of publications is provided. Included are an annotated checklist by genus and species of 93 species level names and the recognition of 52 species, redescriptions of seven species, and the description of …

Identification And Characterisation Of A Cdna Sequence Encoding A Glutamic Acid-Rich Protein Specifically Transcribed In Trichinella Spiralis Newborn Larvae And Recognised By Infected Swine Serum, Dante S. Zarlenga, Patricia Boyd, J. Ralph Lichtenfels, Dolores Hill, H. Ray Gamble

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Presently, little is known of the mechanism by which Trichinella penetrates and modulates reprogramming of muscle cells. In light of evidence demonstrating strong protective characteristics of antigens derived from this stage, understanding this process may shed light on potential targets for effective abatement of infection. To this end, a PCR-derived cDNA expression library was constructed using 0.5 mg of total RNA from Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae. The library consisted of >125,000 insert-containing clones. Approximately 40-50 × 10³ clones were screened immunologically using sera from pigs experimentally infected with 7,000 Trichinella L1. Multiple clones reacting positively with the swine infection …

Protostrongylus Stilesi (Nematoda: Protostrongylidae): Ecological Isolation And Putative Host-Switching Between Dall’S Sheep And Muskoxen In A Contact Zone, Eric P. Hoberg, Susan J. Kutz, John Nagy, Emily Jenkins, Brett Elkin, Marsha Branigan, Dorothy Cooley

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The occurrence of Protostrongylus stilesi in a population of introduced muskoxen, Ovibos moschatus wardi, on the Arctic Coastal Plain, Yukon Territory (YT) and Northwest Territories (NT), Canada, is consistent with a contemporary colonization event from Dall’s sheep, Ovis dalli dalli, which indicates that host specificity may be ecologically based and contextual for this parasite. Colonization of muskoxen by P. stilesi may be a predictable event in zones of sympatry with Dall’s sheep; exposure to infection may coincide with occupation of winter ranges of Dall’s sheep by muskoxen during the summer season. Disruption of contemporary ecological isolating barriers can …

Foundations For An Integrative Parasitology: Collections, Archives, And Biodiversity Informatics, Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Burgeoning awareness about biodiversity emphasizes the fundamental importance of museum collections and the contributions of systematists and taxonomists in documenting the structure and history of the biosphere. An essential role is served by this infrastructure in collecting, preparing, analyzing, and disseminating information about the specimens that represent species, document a range of complex biological associations from symbioses to parasitism, and form the tapestry and the myriad facets of biodiversity (e.g., Wilson, 2000). As parasitologists we can examine how we may contribute to this broader documentation and understanding of global biodiversity, and we can articulate and communicate our role as vital …

Coccidia (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) Of The Mammalian Order Chiroptera, Donald W. Duszynski

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The coccidia are protists (phylum Apicomplexa) that, likely, are both the most abundant (numbers of individual zoites) and most speciose of all the kinds of parasites found in/on mammals. They also are among the least studied and understood, with the exception of those species that cause pathology in domesticated Artiodactyla. In this review, I focus only on the largest family of the phylum, Eimeriidae Minchin, 1903, because its members often are among the most prevalent apicomplexans of mammals, and because there has never been a taxonomic summation for those species that infect Chirpotera. In all published descriptions of bat coccidia, …

Development Of The Muskox Lungworm, Umingmakstrongylus Pallikuukensis (Protostrongylidae), In Gastropods In The Arctic, Susan J. Kutz, Eric P. Hoberg, John Nishi, Lydden Polley

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Development of the muskox protostrongylid lungworm, Umingmakstrongylus pallikuukensis, in its slug intermediate host, Deroceras laeve, was investigated under field conditions in the Arctic. Every two weeks, from 19 June to 28 August 1997, groups of ten experimentally infected slugs were placed in tundra enclosures in a mesic sedge meadow near Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada. First-stage larvae (L1) infecting slugs on or before 17 July developed to third-stage larvae (L3) in 4–6 weeks. Intensity of L3 in slugs peaked at 6–8 weeks post infection (PI) and then progressively declined by 10, 12, and 48–50 weeks PI. Abundance of L3 in …