Folia Parasitologica - Most viewed articles

Seasonal dynamics of Plehniella coelomica (Trematoda: Sanguinicolidae) in two catfish, Pimelodus albicans and P-maculatus (Pisces : Siluriformes), from La Plata River, Argentina

M.F. Avendaño de Mac Intosh, Margarita Ostrowski de Núñez

Folia Parasitologica 45[3] 253-255 (1998)  

The susceptibility of three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), nine-spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) to experimental infections with the monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris

Arnulf Soleng, Tor A. Bakke

Folia Parasitologica 45[4] 270-274 (1998)  

Three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L.), nine-spined stickleback (Pungitius pungitius (L.)) and flounder (Platichthys flesus (L.)) are widespread teleosts, which all have behaviours involving migration between freshwater and brackish/sea water environments. Their importance in dispersal of the freshwater monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957, which causes heavy losses of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) parr in infected Norwegian rivers, was tested indirectly by their susceptibility and resistance to the parasite in laboratory experiments. Gyrodactylus salaris attached to the three fish species, but no parasite reproduction was...

Histochemical characteristics of Gyrodactylus derjavini parasitizing the fins of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Kurt Buchmann

Folia Parasitologica 45[4] 312-318 (1998)  

Histochemical studies of enzyme activities and structural elements in Gyrodactylus derjavini Mikailov, 1975 parasitizing fins of Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum were conducted. Marked activities of non-specific esterase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and amino-peptidase were found in the intestinal caeca of the parasite. A strong activity of acetylcholinesterase was seen in the nervous system. Extraintestinal non-specific and eserine-sulphate resistant esterase was localized in the distal part of the hamulus sheath. Activities of peroxidase and glucuronidase were not detected. In the embryo, developing hamuli were enclosed in a sheath rich in...

Borrelia-infection rates in tick and insect vectors accompanying human risk of acquiring Lyme borreliosis in a highly endemic region in Central Europe

Petr Zeman

Folia Parasitologica 45[4] 319-325 (1998)  

The methods of spatial statistics were applied to assess the geographical pattern of risk of Lyme borreliosis in Central Bohemia, the Czech Republic, based on retrospective data on disease contractions. The statistical risk was then compared at 15 selected localities with the infection challenge presented by ticks and insects carrying borreliae. Over 5,000 Ixodes ricinus (L.) ticks and 390 haematophagous dipterans were screened by direct immunofluorescence method, and the spatial and seasonal variance of infection rates were studied. Infected ticks were found at each locality throughout the warm season; in nymphs, sample infection rates ranged from...

Carp coccidiosis: Longevity and transmission of Goussia carpelli (Apicomplexa: Coccidia) in the pond environment

Dieter Steinhagen, Katharina Hespe

Folia Parasitologica 45[4] 326-328 (1998)  

Immune mechanisms in fish skin against monogeneans - a model

Kurt Buchmann

Folia Parasitologica 46[1] 1-9 (1999)  

Host responses against skin inhabiting monogeneans are commonly observed but the responsible immune mechanisms in the fish skin are insufficiently described. Based on recent knowledge of fish immunity and skin response mechanisms in mammals a model for the skin immunity in fish to monogenean infections is proposed. Important cellular components of the model are the epithelial cells, the mucous cells and leucocytes. The release of cytokines, e.g. IL-1, following mechanical or chemical injury of the epithelial cells, initiates a series of events leading to decrease of the ectoparasite population. Cytokines (e.g. IL-1, TNF, INF) are suggested to affect...

Development of Myxobolus dispar (Myxosporea: Myxobolidae) in an oligochaete alternate host, Tubifex tubifex

Kálmán Molnár, Amina El-Mansy, Csaba Székely, Ferenc Baska

Folia Parasitologica 46[1] 15-21 (1999)  

The development of Myxobolus dispar Thélohan, 1895, a myxosporean parasite of the gills of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) was studied in experimentally infected oligochaetes Tubifex tubifex Müller. After infection of uninfected tubificids with mature spores of M. dispar, development of actinosporean stages was first observed light microscopically 21 days after initial exposure. In histological sections, early pansporocysts were located in the gut epithelium of experimental oligochaetes, while advanced stages occupied mostly the outer layers of the gut and the coelozoic space. Mature pansporocysts, each containing 8 raabeia...

Cytokine response to infection with the microsporidian, Encephalitozoon cuniculi

Pavlína Braunfuchsová, Jan Kopecký, Oleg Ditrich, Břetislav Koudela

Folia Parasitologica 46[2] 91-95 (1999)  

The production of three cytokines, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interleukin 12 (IL-12), was measured after intraperitoneal infection of immunocompetent Balb/c mice and immunodeficient SCID mice with the microsporidian, Encephalitozoon cuniculi Levaditi, Nicolau et Schoen, 1923. High levels of IFN-γ were detected in ex vivo cultures of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) of Balb/c mice, a lower, but earlier IFN-γ response was observed in PEC from SCID mice. The early IL-10 response was detected in ex vivo cultures of splenocytes from Balb/c but not from SCID mice, explaining a delay in the IFN-γ response...

Caryospora maxima sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), new coccidium from Forskal\'s sand snake, Psammophis schokari (Serpentes: Colubridae) from lava desert of Jordan

David Modrý, Břetislav Koudela, Ratib M. Al-Oran, Zuhair S. Amr

Folia Parasitologica 46[2] 96-98 (1999)  

A new coccidian parasite of the genus Caryospora Léger, 1904 is described from the colubrid snake Psammophis schokari (Forskål, 1775). Oocysts of Caryospora maxima sp. n. are spherical or subspherical, 43.0 (40.0-46.0) × 42.1 (40.0-44.0) µm, with smooth and bilayered oocyst wall ca. 2.0 µm thick. A micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granule are absent. Sporocysts are broadly ellipsoidal, 21.3 (21.0-22.0) × 16.3 (16.0-17.0) µm, with smooth, colourless and unilayered sporocyst wall. Stieda and substieda bodies are present. Sporocyst residuum is present as compact mass of granules lying centrally between...

Identification of surface proteins of trophic and cyst forms of Blastocystis hominis by biotin labeling

Joaquín Villar, José-Antonio Carbajal, María-Desamparados Lanuza, María-Rosa Navarro, Rafael

Folia Parasitologica 46[2] 103-106 (1999)  

The surface proteins of trophic (vacuolar and ameboid forms) and cyst forms of two axenic Blastocystis hominis Brumpt, 1912 isolates were studied. The surface proteins of both forms were biotin-labeled and the soluble proteins from unlabeled and biotin-labeled cells were electrophoresed in 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gels under reducing conditions. The electrophoresed proteins from biotinylated cells were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes and the avidin-peroxidase-labeled complex was used to identify the surface proteins. In trophic forms, 26 of the 38 soluble proteins, with MW ranging between 30 and >200 kDa, were identified as surface...

Digenetic trematodes parasitic on Engraulis anchoita (Pisces: Engraulidae) from Argentina and Uruguay

Juan Tomás Timi, Sergio Roberto Martorelli, Norma Haydeé Sardella

Folia Parasitologica 46[2] 132-138 (1999)  

A total of 2,086 specimens of Engraulis anchoita Hubbs et Marini (Pisces: Engraulidae), from waters off Argentina and Uruguay were examined for parasitic digeneans. Four species of digeneans were found, Parahemiurus merus (Linton, 1910) (adult) in the stomach; Lecithochirium microstomum Chandler, 1935 (non-ovigerous and ovigerous juveniles) in the swimbladder; Cardiocephaloides sp. (metacercaria) in the eyes and Rhipidocotyle sp. (metacercaria) in the musculature. These four species are recorded for the first time as parasites of E. anchoita.

First record of the genus Syncuaria (Nematoda: Acuariidae) in Argentina, with description of a new species

María Celina Digiani

Folia Parasitologica 46[2] 139-144 (1999)  

The nematode genus Syncuaria Gilbert, 1927 (Acuariidae) is reported for the first time from Argentina with two species parasitic in Threskiornithidae. Syncuaria plegadisi sp. n. from the white-faced ibis, Plegadis chihi (Vieillot), is described and figured. The new species differs from known species of Syncuaria by the following characters: absence of lateral alae; cephalic cordons narrow, consisting of cuticular plates dorsally and ventrally invaginated forming a groove; presence of cephalic spines; spicules with simple, rounded distal ends; left spicule two to three times longer than right one; female tail dorsally bent...

Survey of entomopathogenic nematodes from the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae (Nematoda: Rhabditida) in the Czech Republic

Zdeněk Mráček, Stanislav Bečvář, Pavel Kindlmann

Folia Parasitologica 46[2] 145-148 (1999)  

Soil samples were collected from the whole territory of the Czech Republic, and the presence of entomopathogenic nematodes from the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae was evaluated by Galleria traps method. Of the 342 samples studied, 53.8% were positive for entomopathogenic nematodes with only one positive for the heterorhabditid, Heterorhabditis megidis Poinar, Jackson et Klein, 1987. Of steinernematid species, Steinernema kraussei (Steiner, 1923), Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev, 1934), Steinernema affine (Bovien, 1937), Steinernema intermedium (Poinar, 1985), Steinernema bicornutum Tallosi,...

Eimeria nycteae sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), a new parasite species from the snowy owl, Nyctea scandiaca

Jiří Volf, Břetislav Koudela, David Modrý

Folia Parasitologica 46[3] 168-170 (1999)  

Coprological examinations of three snowy owls, Nyctea scandiaca (L.) revealed the presence of a coccidium of the genus Eimeria that apparently represents a previously undescribed species. Oocysts of Eimeria nycteae sp. n. were spherical to subspherical, 23.6 (23-25) × 22.2 (22-23) µm with a shape index 1.1 (1.0-1.1). The oocyst wall was bilayered, smooth ~ 0.75 µm thick. A polar granule was absent. Sporocysts were ellipsoidal, 18.5 (18-19) × 9.8 (9-10) µm with a shape index 1.9 (1.8-2.1) with Stieda and substieda bodies. A sporocyst residuum was present as small granules scattered among sporozoites. The sequence...

Transmission of the monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris

Arnulf Soleng, Peder A. Jansen, Tor A. Bakke

Folia Parasitologica 46[3] 179-184 (1999)  

The present study is focusing on the transmission of the monogenean ectoparasite Gyrodactylus salaris Malmberg, 1957, a major pathogen on natural populations of Norwegian Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. In laboratory experiments the transmission rate of G. salaris after direct host to host contact was positively correlated with water temperature (1.2, 4.7 and 12.2°C). The transmission of detached G. salaris in the planktonic drift was studied in field experiments where salmon parr were individually isolated for 24 hours in small wire mesh cages suspended in the water column. Ten out of 157 salmon parr (prevalence 6.4%, mean...

Ultrastructure of glands in a scutariellid (Platyhelminthes) and possible phylogenetic implications

Carlo Iomini, Marco Ferraguti, Jean-Lou Justine

Folia Parasitologica 46[3] 199-203 (1999)  

Subepidermal glands of the body of Troglocaridicola sp. (from the cavernicolous shrimp Troglocaris sp. in eastern Italy) were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The reservoir and duct of the glands are lined with longitudinal microtubules. Membrane-bound granules inside the gland show a distinctive pattern: they contain fibres, 18 nm in diameter, regularly arranged in bundles with a 5 nm space between fibres. From a survey of the available literature on glands of Platyhelminthes, it is concluded that this structure is known only in this species. Glands with regularly arranged 18 nm fibres, if characteristic for the Scutariellidae,...

Empruthotrema quindecima sp. n. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) from the nasal fossae of Taeniura lymma (Dasyatididae) from Heron Island and Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia

Leslie A. Chisholm, Ian D. Whittington

Folia Parasitologica 46[4] 274-278 (1999)  

Empruthotrema quindecima sp. n. (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) is described from the nasal fossae of the blue-spotted fantail ray Taeniura lymma (Forsskål, 1775) collected from the reef flats of Heron Island and Lizard Island located at the southern and northern sections, respectively, of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia. Empruthotrema quindecima has 15 marginal loculi on the haptor which distinguishes it from the other five members of the genus which have either 13 or 14 marginal loculi. The generic diagnosis of Empruthotrema Johnston et Tiegs, 1922 is amended to accommodate the new species, a key to species...

Regional ultrastructural differences of the scolex and neck tegument of Proteocephalus macrocephalus (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidae)

Zdeňka Žďárská, Jana Nebesářová

Folia Parasitologica 46[4] 279-283 (1999)  

Structural differences of microtriches and distal cytoplasm of the tegument in the apical and lateral suckers, scolex proper and neck of Proteocephalus macrocephalus (Creplin,1815) were studied. The microthrix border in the apical sucker is formed by filamentous microtriches only. The frontal and lateral parts of scolex bear mainly filamentous microtriches, but seldom short conoid types occur. The transitional zone between scolex and neck is covered mainly with short conoid microtriches. The neck bears blade-like microtriches. In the apical and lateral suckers, the basal plasma membrane of the distal cytoplasm adheres to the basal lamina at...

Redescription of Eucoleus schvalovoj (Nematoda: Capillariidae), an oesophageal parasite of the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, in Spain

Jordi Torres, Jordi Miquel, Carlos Feliu

Folia Parasitologica 46[4] 285-288 (1999)  

Eucoleus schvalovoj Kontrimavichus, 1963 (Nematoda: Capillariidae) is redescribed. The original description of this species was brief and inadequate in that it was based on just a few specimens removed from the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Khabarovsk region, USSR. Detailed morphological study of several specimens of E. schvalovoj from the oesophagus of L. lutra from Spain revealed new characters, above all in males, and allows for a better characterisation of this species. Since its original description E. schvalovoj has only been recorded in Spain.

Observations on cucullanid nematodes from freshwater fishes in Mexico, including Dichelyne mexicanus sp. n.

Juan Manuel Caspeta-Mandujano, František Moravec, Guillermo Salgado-Maldonado

Folia Parasitologica 46[4] 289-295 (1999)  

A new cucullanid nematode, Dichelyne mexicanus sp. n., is described from the intestine of three species of fishes, Agonostomus monticola (Bancroft) (Mugilidae, Perciformes) (type host), Ictalurus balsanus (Jordan et Snyder) (Ictaluridae, Siluriformes) and Cichlasoma beani (Jordan) (Cichlidae, Perciformes), from three rivers (La Maquina River, Veracruz; Chontalcoatlán River, Guerrero and Santiago River, Nayarit) in central Mexico. This species is characterised by the absence of a ventral sucker in the male (subgenus Dichelyne) and it differs from its congeners mainly in possessing very unequal and dissimilar spicules...

Trichoecius calomysci sp. n. (Acari: Myocoptidae), a new mite species from Iran

Andre Bochkov, Vladimir Malikov, Masoud Arbobi

Folia Parasitologica 46[4] 316-318 (1999)  

A new species of myocoptid mite, Trichoecius calomysci sp. n. (Acari: Myocoptidae), from Calomyscus sp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Iran is described.

F. Moravec: Nematodes of Freshwater Fishes of the Neotropical Region.

R.C. Anderson

Folia Parasitologica 47[1] 60 (2000) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2000.011  

Academia, Praha, 1998, ISBN 80-200-0705-9, hard cover. 177 figs., 464 pp.

Eimeria burdai sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), a new parasite species from subterranean African silvery mole-rat, Heliophobius argenteocinereus

Břetislav Koudela, Radim Šumbera, František Sedláček

Folia Parasitologica 47[2] 97-99 (2000) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2000.020  

A new coccidian parasite of the genus Eimeria Schneider, 1875 is described from the subterranean African silvery mole-rat Heliophobius argenteocinereus Peters, 1846. Oocysts of Eimeria burdai sp. n. were subspherical to broadly ellipsoidal 17.8 (16-19) × 14.1 (12-15), with a shape index 1.2 (1.1-1.4). Oocyst wall was bilayered, smooth and colourless, approximately 1.0 thick. Outer layer was significantly thicker than inner one. A micropyle and oocyst residuum were absent. One or two ellipsoidal or spherical polar granules were present. Sporocysts were ellipsoidal, 10.8 (9-12) × 6.2 (5-8) with a shape index 1.7 (1.5-1.9). Sporocyst...

Proteolytic enzymes secreted by larval stage of the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis

Valentina K. Todorova

Folia Parasitologica 47[2] 141-145 (2000) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2000.027  

Excretory/secretory products (ES), collected from in vitro cultures of muscle larvae (L1) of Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835) were examined for the presence of proteolytic enzymes. Several discrete proteinases in the size range of 25-55 kDa were identified by substrate gel electrophoresis and were characterised according to pH optima, substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity using azocasein assay. Serine, cysteine and metalloproteinases active at pH 5-7 were identified. The serine proteinases were found to predominate and some of them were found to be specific for the larval stage of the parasite. The results from the substrate analysis...

Dynamics of the IgG3 responses following immunisation of BALB/c mice with somatic and excretory/secretory antigens from various Trichinella species

Maria Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela, Francisco Bolas-Fernández

Folia Parasitologica 47[3] 172-180 (2000) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2000.034  

Comparison of the dynamics and antigen recognition profiles of IgG3 following immunisation with larval crude extracts (LCE) and excretory-secretory (ES) products from muscle larvae of different species of Trichinella (T. spiralis, T. nativa, T. britovi, T. nelsoni and genotype T6) was made in BALB/c mice. High levels of IgG3 response were obtained in ELISA following immunisation with LCE from all species with maximum levels achieved between days 59 and 64 post-immunisation (p.i.) and maintained up to the limit of the observation (day 164). Antigen recognition profiles as measured by western-blot showed dense and numerous...

B. Fried, T.K. Graczyk (Eds.): Advances in Trematode Biology.

Petr Horák, Tomáš Scholz

Folia Parasitologica 47[4] 266 (2000) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2000.045  

CRC Press, Boca Raton - New York, 1997, ISBN 0-8493-2645-1, hard cover. 466 pp., 24 figs., 16 tables.

M.L. Sood: Reptilian Nematodes from South Asia.

František Moravec

Folia Parasitologica 47[4] 284 (2000) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2000.049  

International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun (India) 1999. 299 pp., 165 figs. Price US$ 39.75.

D.T.J. Littlewood, R.A. Bray (Eds.): Interrelationships of the Platyhelminthes.

Tomáš Scholz

Folia Parasitologica 48[2] 104 (2001) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2001.014  

The Systematics Association Special Volume Series 60. Taylor & Francis, London and New York, 2001, ISBN 0-7484-0903-3, hard cover, 353 pp. Price £ 75.00.

Philometroides africanus sp. n. (Nematoda: Philometridae), a new tissue parasite of the African pike Hepsetus odoe (Pisces) in Botswana

František Moravec, Jo G. Van As

Folia Parasitologica 48[2] 127-131 (2001) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2001.019  

A new species of philometrid nematode, Philometroides africanus sp. n., is described from female specimens found encapsulated in gill arches and inner surface of gill covers of the African pike, Hepsetus odoe (Bloch), an endemic freshwater fish in Africa, from the Okavango River and Delta in Botswana. This new nematode is characterised mainly by a markedly small and plump body of gravid females (body length 6-9 mm), a separate anterior oesophageal bulb, a conspicuously small oesophageal gland, presence of four pairs of very small submedian cephalic papillae, and absence of any caudal processes. The prevalence of P. africanus in...

Evidence of tubulin in the scolex gland ductus of Gymnorhynchus gigas plerocercoid (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha)

Mª Jose Moreno, Nieves Casado, Mª Angeles Urrea-París, Filomena Rodriguez-Caabeiro

Folia Parasitologica 48[2] 163-164 (2001) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2001.027