Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons^™

Morphological And Molecular Description Of Haematoloechus Meridionalis N. Sp. (Digenea: Plagiorchioidea: Haematoloechidae) From Rana Vaillanti Brocchi Of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Virginia León-Règagnon, Daniel R. Brooks, Derek A. Zelmer

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

An undescribed species of Haematoloechus inhabits the lungs of Rana vaillanti in northwestern Costa Rica. The new species is most similar morphologically to H. medioplexus, having a very small, but well-developed, ventral sucker and lacking extracecal uterine loops, and apparently was misidentified previously as H. medioplexus in Rana palmipes from Colombia. It differs from H. medioplexus, notably by (1) the shape of the oral sucker, which is elliptical in H. meridionalis and spherical in H. medioplexus; (2) the posterior extent of the vitelline fields, which terminate at the same level in H. medioplexus, but always at …

Physid Snails As Sentinels Of Freshwater Nematomorphs, Ben Hanelt, L. E. Grother, John J. Janovy Jr.

John J. Janovy, Jr. Publications

Freshwater nematomorphs, or gordiids, are parasitic as larvae, but free-living in aquatic environments as adults. Studies based on the collection of adults have reported gordiids to be widespread, but discontinuous in distribution. However, a relatively short adult life span and unknown life history make the detection of adults difficult. An alternative approach to investigate gordiid distribution is to use cysts. Of all paratenic hosts, snails were chosen because they lacked internal defense reactions to the cysts and become easily infected. Here, it is reported that the occurrence of gordiids on the basis of the cyst stage is much more common …

Epimerite-Host Epithelium Relationships Among Eugregarines Parasitizing The Damselflies Enallagma Civile And Ischnura Verticalis, Tamara J. Percival Cook, John J. Janovy Jr., Richard E. Clopton

John J. Janovy, Jr. Publications

The host-parasite interface between two species of damselflies and four species of eugregarines was examined at the ultrastructural level. Nubenocephalus nebraskensis organisms attached to the host midgut epithelium by means of a sucker-like protomerite; the space between the epicytic folds and host epithelium was filled with electron-dense material interpreted to be adhesive in nature. Actinocephalus carrilynnae organisms attached by means of the epimerite, which had no epicytic folds, and by the fluted stalk with characteristic epicytic folds; host cell and parasite membranes appeared fused at some places on the epimerite. Hoplorhynchus acanthatholius organisms attached by means of an ovoid epimerite …

Description Of Buckarootrema Goodmani N. G., N. Sp. (Digenea: Pronocephalidae), A Parasite Of The Freshwater Turtle Emydura Macquarii (Gray, 1830) (Pleurodira: Chelidae) From Queensland, Australia, And A Phylogenetic Analysis Of The Genera Of The Pronocephalidae Looss, 1902, Thomas R. Platt, Daniel R. Brooks

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Buckarootrema goodmani n. g., n. sp. is described from the small intestine of the Murray turtle, Emydura macquarii (Gray, 1830), from the vicinity of Warwick, Queensland, Australia. The distinctive taxonomic features include the vitellarium, which consists of two compact masses directly anterior to and occasionally overlapping the testes; the uterus with extensive pre- and postovarian coils; intestinal ceca with small, medial diverticula that terminate anterior to or at the anterior margin of the testes; a comma-shaped cirrus sac with both internal and external seminal vesicles. Phylogenetic systematic analysis of the genera of the Pronocephalidae including Buckarootrema and Notopronocephalus, …

American Society Of Parasitologists Newsletter, V. 23, No. 2, August 2001, 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.

The Response Of Gregarina Niphandrodes (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida: Septatina) To Host Starvation In Tenebrio Molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Adults, Jennifer E. Schawang, John J. Janovy Jr.

John J. Janovy, Jr. Publications

Numerous studies of host starvation have emphasized pathological effects of parasites on their insect host, but little attention has been focused on the effects of host starvation on the parasites. This study addressed the possibility that parasite life-cycle events could be manipulated by withholding food from the host. The system used was Gregarina niphandrodes (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida) in Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) adults. Gregarine gametocyst formation and shedding ceased after one day in starved beetles but continued in fed controls. There were no statistically significant differences between total lengths of associated (3 of 5 trials) or unassociated (5 of 5 trials) …

Anindobothrium N. Gen. (Eucestoda: Tetraphyllidea) Inhabiting Marine And Freshwater Potamotrygonid Stingrays, Fernando P.L. Marques, Daniel R. Brooks, Carlos A. Lasso

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Anindobothrium n. gen. is proposed to accommodate Caulobothrium anacolum inhabiting Himantura schmardae from Colombia, and two new species, one inhabiting Potamotrygon orbigny in Brazil and the other inhabiting Paratrygon aereiba in Venezuela. Members of the new genus resemble members of Pararhinebothroides, Rhinebothroides, and Anthocephalum by having bothridia with poorly differentiated apical suckers and vasa deferentia expanded into external seminal vesicles. It further resembles Pararhinebothroides, Rhinebothroides, and Anthocephalum cairae by having vas deferens inserted near the poral rather than aporal end of the cirrus sac. The 3 species assigned to the new genus form an apparent monophyletic …

Parasite Systematics In The 21st Century: Opportunities And Obstacles, Daniel R. Brooks, Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Taxonomic names and phylogenetic hypotheses are indispensable tools for modern biological research, both basic and applied. Like all disciplines, parasitology suffers from the ‘taxonomic impediment’ – a global shortage of professional taxonomists and systematists. Only a fraction of the species of parasites on this planet have been identified, and the evolutionary relationships of only a minority of those are understood; thus, information on how to manage parasite biodiversity, including known and potential disease agents, is incomplete. A renewal of systematic parasitology has a key role in redefining the relationship between mankind and the organisms whose biology fascinates us so much.

Vexillata Liomyos N. Sp. (Nemata: Ornithostrongylidae) From Liomys Pictus (Rodentia: Heteromyidae) From Mexico, With Comments On The Synlophe Of Vexillata Armandae, Jorge Falcon-Ordaz, Scott Lyell Gardner, Gerardo Perez-Ponce De Leon

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Individuals of a new species of Vexillata were collected from the small intestines of Liomys pictus from the Estacio´n de Biologı´a Chamela, in Jalisco State, Mexico. The new species shows an array of characters that allow us to recognize it as a member of Vexillata; however, it can be distinguished from other species of the genus in that males possess an asymmetrical caudal bursa, females possess a characteristic cuticular inflation at the level of the ovijector, and both sexes possess a synlophe with 9 ridges at the midbody. Additional detail of the synlophe of Vexillata armandae Gardner et al., …

Effect Of A Single Amino Acid Change In Mhc Class I Molecules On The Rate Of Progression To Aids, Xiaojiang Gao, George W. Nelson, Peter Karacki, Maureen P. Martin, John Phair, Richard A. Kaslow, James J. Goedert, Susan Buchbinder, Keith Hoots, David Vlahov, Stephen J. O'Brien, Mary Carrington

Biology Faculty Articles

Background From studies of genetic polymorphisms and the rate of progression from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), it appears that the strongest susceptibility is conferred by the major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) class I type HLA-B*35,Cw*04 allele. However, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses have been observed against HIV-1 epitopes presented by HLA-B*3501, the most common HLA-B*35 subtype. We examined subtypes of HLA-B*35 in five cohorts and analyzed the relation of structural differences between HLA-B*35 subtypes to the risk of progression to AIDS. Methods Genotyping of HLA class I loci was performed for 850 patients who seroconverted and …

The Impact Of Hiv/Aids On Food Production (Focusing Mainly On Rural Farms In Sub-Saharan Africa) And The Effects On The Supply, Demand, And Wages Of Farm Labor, Muhammad Zubair Qamar

Theses & Honors Papers

Utilizing empirical data from studies conducted mainly by international organizations, such as the UNAIDS and the Food and Agriculture Organization , the thesis aims to strengthen the hypothesis that the higher the frequency of HIVIAIDS, mainly in rural African farm communities, the higher the impact there is on food production. Moreover, the supply, demand, and wages of farm labor are also affected by HIV/AIDS. To give a background of the conditions of disease, the first part of the thesis gives an overview of the history of disease. The history and possible origins of HIV/AIDS are delved into, after …

Persistent Fontanelles In Rodent Skulls, Scott Lyell Gardner, Sydney Anderson

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Persistent fenestrae occur between frontal or parietal bones in skulls of various rodents, especially species of Andinomys and Ctenomys. The frequency of occurrence and the shape and position of the fenestrae may vary with age or among individuals, populations, and species. Different families and species from both high and low elevations exhibit fenestrae. They have arisen in several different evolutionary lineages. Genetic factors contribute, but no clear functional significance of the fenestrae has been established.

Evidence For Two Mechanisms Of Amino Acid Osmolyte Release From Hippocampal Slices, R. Franco, M. E. Torres-Marquez, H. Pasantes-Morales

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

A 30% decrease in osmolarity stimulated ³H-taurine, ³H-GABA and glutamate (followed as ³H-D-aspartate) efflux from rat hippocampal slices. ³H-taurine efflux was activated rapidly but inactivated slowly. It was decreased markedly by 100 μM 5-nitro-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) and 600 μM niflumic acid and inhibited strongly by tyrphostins AG18, AG879 and AG112 (25–100 μM), suggesting a tyrosine kinase-mediated mechanism. Hyposmolarity activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) extracellular-signal-related kinase-1/2 (ERK1/ERK2) and p38, but blockade of this reaction did not affect ³H-taurine efflux. Hyposmosis also activated phosphatidyl-inositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and its prevention by wortmannin (100 nM) essentially abolished …

American Society Of Parasitologists Newsletter, V. 23, No. 1, January 2001, 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.

Investigations Into The Innate Resistance Of The Tick, Dermacentor Variabilis, When Challenged With The Bacterium, Escherichia Coli, Shane Michael Ceraul

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

In addition to the soluble response, many invertebrates control bacterial infections by means of phagocytosis or melanotic encapsulation. In some insects, Escherichia coli growth is reported to be inhibited by aggregation/encapsulation. Soluble and phagocytic responses to bacterial challenge have been reported in ticks, but evidence of an aggregation/encapsulation response was reported only for inanimate (araldite) implants. This study was done to determine how ticks control infection by E. coli. Ticks were challenged by direct inoculation of bacteria into the hemocoel cavity. Using plate counts, no viable E. coli were detected I hour post-inoculation. A direct fluorescence assay (DF A) …

Review Of: Dangerous Places: Health, Safety, And Archaeology (David A. Poirer & Kenneth L. Feder Eds.), Natalie Duval

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Review of the book: Dangerous Places: Health, Safety, and Archaeology (David A. Poirier& Kenneth L. Feder eds., Bergin & Garvey, Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. 2001). Introduction, bibliographic references, index. ISBN0-89789-632-7 [264 pp. $65.00. Cloth, 88 Post Road West, P.O. Box5007, Westport, CT 06881-5007.

Evolution In The Information Age: Rediscovering The Nature Of The Organism, Daniel R. Brooks

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The newest synthesis of evolutionary thought is emerging, and promises to return evolutionary biology to Darwin’s panoramic view of life. The key element is a long-standing dualism in evolutionary theory. This dualism has a long history within evolutionary biology, being manifested under guises such as: (1) the nature of the organism and the nature of the conditions, (2) internal and external, or intrinsic and extrinsic, factors, (3) production and exchanges, (4) boundary and initial conditions, (5) metabolism and replication, (6) energy and information, and (7) costs and benefits, and conflict and resolution. A partially retrospective review suggests that there is …

Characterization Of The Laminated Layer Of In Vitro Cultivated Echinococcus Vogeli Metacestodes, Katrin Ingold, Wenjuan Dai, Robert L. Rausch, Bruno Gottstein, Andrew Hemphill

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

The metacestode (larval) stages of the cestode parasites Echinococcus vogeli and E. multilocularis were isolated from the peritoneal cavity of experimentally infected C57BL/6 mice and were cultured in vitro for a period of up to four months under conditions normally applied for the in vitro cultivation of E. multilocularis metacestodes. In contrast to E. multilocularis, E. vogeli did not exhibit extensive exogenous budding and proliferation but increased in size with a final diameter of up to 10 mm. Most metacestodes contained protoscoleces, singly or in groups, either associated with brood capsules or growing directly out of the germinal layer. …

Escherichia Coli O157:H7 In Free-Ranging Deer In Nebraska, David G. Renter, Jan M. Sargeant, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Jeff D. Hoffmann, Jerry R. Gillespie

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

In order to determine the prevalence and distribution of the human pathogen, Escherichia coli O157:H7, in free-ranging deer, hunters were asked to collect and submit fecal samples from deer harvested during a regular firearm season (14–22 November 1998). Prior to the season, 47% of the hunters with permits in the southeastern Nebraska (USA) study area indicated a willingness to participate in the study. Approximately 25% of successful hunters in the area submitted deer fecal samples. Escherichia coli O157:H7 was cultured from four (0.25%) of 1,608 total samples submitted. All of the fecal samples that were properly identified (1,426) and all …

Using The Polymerase Chain Reaction To Determine The Prevalence Of Lyme Disease Bacteria, Borrelia Burgdorferi, In Ixodes Pacificus Ticks From San Bernardino County In Southern California, Richard Allen

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Lyme Disease (LD) bacteria in adult Ixodes pacificus ticks collected from the mountains of San Bernardino County in Southern California. Seven hundred fifty four I. pacificus adults were collected from the Pacific Crest Trail and adjacent areas. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to screen ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi infection by targeting two different DNA loci. Oligonucleotide primers targeting both the ospA and fla genes were used in the assay. Ticks were processed in pools of three, and genomic DNA from the ticks was extracted with a commercial …

Re-Thinking The Summer Drenching Program, Brown Besier

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The summer drenching program has provided highly effective sheep worm control in Western Australia for many years - but recent research challenges its long term sustainability.

Trial results suggest that in large parts of the State, summer drenching is the main factor leading to the development of drench resistant worms. Alternative programs less likely to lead to drench resistance will require greater monitoring of worm burdens and panning pasture moves.

Biotic And Abiotic Effects On Endoparasites Infecting Dipodomys And Perognathus Species, Kimberly H. Decker, Donald W. Duszynski, Michael J. Patrick

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Between 1989 and 1998, 3,504 rodents of the genera Dipodomys and Perognathus were collected from 4 permanent collecting sites on the University of New Mexico’s Long Term Ecological Research station, located on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR), Socorro County, New Mexico. All animals were killed and examined for endoparasites (acanthocephalans, cestodes, coccidia, and nematodes). The present report focuses on 3 endoparasite groups, cestodes, coccidia, and nematodes. Specific analyses address how prevalence changes were related to abiotic factors such as habitat, season, or precipitation, and how prevalence of each parasite species in each host species differed in relation to host …

Out Of Africa: Origins Of The Taenia Tapeworms In Humans, Eric P. Hoberg, Nancy L. Alkire, Alan De Queiroz, Arlene Jones

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Phylogenetic and divergence date analyses indicate that the occurrence of Taenia tapeworms in humans pre-dates the development of agriculture, animal husbandry and domestication of cattle (Bos spp.) or swine (Sus scrofa) Taeniid tapeworms in Africa twice independently colonized hominids and the genus Homo prior to the origin of modern humans. Dietary and behavioural shifts, from herbivory to scavenging and carnivory, as early Homo entered the carnivore guild in the Pliocene/Pleistocene, were drivers for host switching by tapeworms to hominids from carnivores including hyaenids and felids. Parasitological data provide a unique means of elucidating the historical ecology, foraging behavior …

Infection And Transovarial Transmission Of Rickettsiae In Dermacentor Variabilis Acquired By Artificial Feeding, K. R. Macaluso, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Shane M. Ceraul, A. F. Azad

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

In this study we examined the efficiency of an in vitro feeding technique using glass microcapillaries as a method of establishing rickettsiae-infected lines of ticks. To quantify the volume ingested by ticks during microcapillary feeding, the incorporation of radiolabeled amino acids in tick gut and hemolymph was calculated. Fifteen of 18 ticks consumed between 0.06 μl and 6.77μl. However, ingestion of fluid was not correlated to weight gain during capillary feeding. Uninfected and partially fed laboratory-reared female Dermacentor variabilis ticks were exposed to either Rickettsia montana- or Rickettsia rhipicephali-infected Vero cells via microcapillary tubes, returned to rabbit hosts, …

Contrasts In Tick Innate Immune Responses To Borrelia Burgdorferi Challenge: Immuno-Tolerance In Ixodes Scapularis Versus Immunocompetence In Dermacentor Variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae)., Robert Johns, Jun Ohnishi, Anne Broadwater, Daniel E. Sonenshine, Aravinda M. Desilva, Wayne L. Hynes

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, transmits the Lyme disease spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi), whereas the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), is unable to transmit the bacterium. We compared the innate immune response of these ticks against spirochetes directly inoculated into the hemocoel cavity of ticks. In I. scapularis, some Borrelia were found associated with hemocytes, while numerous other spiral-shaped, intact bacteria remained free in the hemolymph. In contrast, in D. variabilis only remnants of the bacteria were evident in the hemolymph, indicating lysis; intact spirochetes were rare. Spirochetes were observed bound to or within the organs …

Properties Of A Factor In Eland Plasma That Inhibits Transformation Of Bloodstream-Form Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei, E. K. Nguu, E. O. Osir

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Fresh plasma from the African eland, Taiirotragus oryx, contains a factor that inhibits the transformation of bloodstream-form Trypanosma bnicei bntcei into procyclic (midgut) forms. Heating of the plasma at 42, 50 and 60 °C for 30 min resulted in a 20, 38 and 40% loss of inhibitor activity respectively, whereas only negligible loss occurred below 42 C. Similarly, one and four freeze-thawing cycles resulted in 32 and 60% loss of activity respectively. Inactivation of the inhibitor activity, which occurred rapidly during storage (for example, 80% loss after 7 days at -20 °C) could not be stopped by the addition of …

Cyclospora, Eimeria, Isospora And Cryptosporidium Spp., Donald Duszynski, Steve J. Upton

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Coccidia are exceptionally common protist parasites of both vertebrates and, to a lesser extent, invertebrates. Every vertebrate species that ever has been examined intensively, over a broad geographic range, has been found to have at least one coccidian species unique to it and may have as many as five, ten, or more species. They also may have additional coccidia shared with close relatives (congenerics, sometimes confarnilials) and/or with sympatrics. The history of the development of our knowledge about coccidian parasites of wild mammals is long and tangled and has been reviewed by Levine, Joyner, and Long and Joyner. Suffice it …

Evaluation Of The Specificity Of Five Oligoprobes For Identification Of Cyathostomin Species From Horses, J. E. Hodgkinson, S. Love, J. Ralph Lichtenfels, S. Palfreman, Y. H. Ramsey, J. B. Matthews

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Here, we report evaluation of five oligoprobes designed from intergenic spacer (IGS) region sequences for identification of cyathostomin species. Oligoprobes were designed for identification of Cylicocyclus ashworthi, Cylicocyclus nassatus, Cylicostephanus longibursatus, Cylicostephanus goldi and a fifth probe designed to identify all members of this tribe. PCR amplification of IGS DNA from 16 cyathostomin species allowed sequence comparison and identification of four putative species-specific probes. Southern blotting of amplified products from 16 species showed that all probes were species-specific. The fifth probe recognised all 16 cyathostomin species but did not bind to members of the genus Strongylus. Furthermore, these probes …

Onchocercosis In Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) From Spain, Mónica Santín-Durán, José M. Alunda, Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Onchocercosis, caused by Onchocerca flexuosa, was observed in red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Spain for the first time. Adult specimens of O. flexuosa were found in nodules in subcutaneous tissues in 42 of 125 (33%) red deer between October 1994 and September 1995; intensity of infection 6 SD was 3.93 ± 5.26 nodules per infected host. A clear seasonal pattern in the distribution of nodules was observed, with higher values of prevalence and intensity in fall and winter in contrast to spring and summer. Significant differences were found among age groups in prevalence, but not in the …

Presentation Of The Asp Distinguished Service Award To Robert L. Rausch, Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Over the past 50 years Robert Rausch has been at the forefront of research on the systematics, taxonomy, biogeography, epidemiology, and pathology of helminth parasites in vertebrate hosts. Research programs and projects have continually emphasized the complex interface of parasitology, sylvatic distributions of pathogens in wild mammals, and public health, whether dealing with tapeworms such as Echinococcus or Diphyllobothrium or with nematodes such as Trichinella. Most meticulous in research, contributions by Dr. Rausch have been characterized by their innovative nature, depth and scope of detail, complete articulation and examination of hypotheses, and novel insights integrating parasites and parasitism within …