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Full-Text Articles in Parasitology
Diversity And Host Specificity Of Nycteribiid Bat Flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) In Kenya, Taylor Verrett
Diversity And Host Specificity Of Nycteribiid Bat Flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) In Kenya, Taylor Verrett
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) are hematophagous ectoparasites of bats distributed globally. Members of Nycteribiidae are morphologically constrained relative to streblids, and are united by their lack of wings, dorso-ventrally compressed bodies, and a primary distribution across the Eastern hemisphere. Bats are principal reservoirs of infectious diseases, including viral zoonoses of important consideration to human health, but the overall high host specificity of bat flies has largely been thought to curb their potential as inter-specific vectors of bat-borne pathogens. However, nycteribiid diversity and host associations remain critically understudied in some geographic regions, and rare examples of nycteribiid bat flies …
Co-Occurrence Patterns Of Bat Flies On Neotropical Chiroptera, Mitchell Louis Schooler
Co-Occurrence Patterns Of Bat Flies On Neotropical Chiroptera, Mitchell Louis Schooler
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Parasite-host systems provide excellent opportunities to explore ecological dynamics such as competition, competitive exclusion, and co-occurrence. The distribution of streblid bat flies on their host bats were examined for patterns of species co-occurrence and to understand mechanisms driving these patterns. The purpose of this study was to determine patterns of co-occurrence among individuals of different Neotropical bat fly species. After establishing patterns of co-occurrence, tests on whether variation in fly morphology was linked to observed patterns of co-occurrence were performed. Co-occurrence patterns were determined using null model analyses, and a predominant pattern of aggregation was detected. To examine the relationship …
Molecular Analysis Of Trypanosoma Cruzi Isolates Obtained From Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) In Warren And Barren Counties Of Kentucky, Lipeng Bi
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, infects a variety of wild mammals in the southern United States, but it has only recently been isolated from raccoons trapped in the state of Kentucky. The purpose of the present study was to use a molecular genotyping approach, followed by DNA sequencing to determine the genotypes (type I, or types IIa-IIe) of 15 of the Kentucky isolates. DNA samples were prepared from 15 T. cruzi- isolates using a Qiagen mini kit, and PCR amplification was performed using published primers for the 24S α rDNA sequence (D71 and D72), the …
Trypanosoma Cruzi In Wild Raccoons And Opossums From Kentucky, Brian Chad Groce
Trypanosoma Cruzi In Wild Raccoons And Opossums From Kentucky, Brian Chad Groce
Masters Theses & Specialist Projects
Only 6 autochthonous cases of human Chagas disease have been documented in the U.S.A., however, as many as 5% of immigrants from Latin America may be infected with the etiologic agent, Trypanosoma cruzi. The parasite has been isolated from a variety of wild mammals, particularly in the southeastern region of the U.S.A. The goal of our study was to determine if the sylvatic cycle of T. cruzi infection occurs in Kentucky, and, if present, to assess the prevalence of infection in Warren and Barren counties. Raccoons and opossums were live-trapped between June and December, 2007. Animals were anesthetized with …
The Impact Of Elevated Environmental Temperature On Cytokine Synthesis And Nitric Oxide Production During Experimental Chagas' Disease, L. Curtis Cary
The Impact Of Elevated Environmental Temperature On Cytokine Synthesis And Nitric Oxide Production During Experimental Chagas' Disease, L. Curtis Cary
Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
C3H mice that have been infected with a Brazil strain of Trypanosoma cruzi and maintained at an elevated environmental temperature of 36°C survive an otherwise lethal infection. These mice show increased longevity and a dramatic increase in parasitemia levels. In contrast, C3H mice maintained at room temperature typically experience high parasitemia levels and die within 40 days of infection. Previous studies in the laboratory suggest cell-mediated immune responses rather than antibody-mediated responses are responsible for the enhances protection. The goal of the present study was to analyze cytokine synthesis and nitric oxide production in spleen cells from mice infected with …