Journal highlights
  • Journal made by "PARASITOLOGISTS for PARASITOLOGISTS"
  • IN-HOUSE production with careful revision & proof-reading
  • Increase of APC from January 1, 2025
  • Current ISI Impact Factor: IF 2025 = 2.0
  • Current volume: 73: 2026
  • Special Issue: Three Decades of Latent Toxoplasmosis
  • Published since 1954 – freely available!

International journal that covers all branches of animal parasitology, including morphology, taxonomy, biology, biochemistry, physiology, immunology and molecular biology of parasites, host-parasite relationships and parasite evolution.

Special Issue: Three Decades of Latent Toxoplasmosis

Flegr J., Ullmann J., ©paniel F., Toman J., Hůla M., ©ebánková B., Petrusová J., Novotný P., Včelák J., Kaňková ©. 2026: Does latent Toxoplasma infection mimic the immune profile of schizophrenia? Sex-specific cytokine and brain-marker alterations suggest partial overlap. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 73: 006

Webster J.P. 2025: Who makes the decisions? Uncovering the evolutionary implications and clinical applications of Toxoplasma gondii’s Fatal Feline Attraction. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 72: 016

Postolache T.T. 2025: Toxoplasma gondii and suicidal behaviour: discovery, cross-diagnostic confirmation and pathway exploration. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 72: 025.

Catchpole A., Zabriskie B.N., Embley B., Kharazi H., Clarke R., Templeton G., Hunt C., Gale S.D., Hedges D.W. 2025: Association between type-2 diabetes and Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 72: 024.

Postolache T.T., Duncan E., Yen P., Potocki E., Barnhart M., Federline A., Massa N., Dagdag A., Joseph J., Wadhawan A., Capan C., Forton C., Lowry C.A., Ortmeyer H.K., Brenner L.A. 2025: Toxoplasma gondii, suicidal behavior and suicide risk factors in US Veterans enrolled in mental health treatment. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 72: 002.

Flegr J. 2025: Thirty years of studying latent toxoplasmosis: behavioural, physiological, and health insights: description of a struggle. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 72: 005.

Vyas A. 2024: Nuts and bolts of the behavioural manipulation by Toxoplasma gondii. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 71: 017.

Latifi A., Flegr J., Kaňková ©. 2025: Re-assessing host manipulation in Toxoplasma: the underexplored role of sexual transmission – evidence, mechanisms, implications. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 72: 015.

Torrey E.F. 2024: The linking of toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia. Folia Parasitol. 71: 016.

Ullmann J., Flegr J., Nouzová K., Včelák J., Kaňková ©. 2025: Chronic inflammation in pregnant women with latent toxoplasmosis and explanation of discordant results of serological tests for toxoplasmosis. Special Issue on Toxoplasmosis. Folia Parasitol. 72: 021.

Tautanova A., Kiyan V., Dusmagambetov M., Almysheva T.A., Dusmagambetova A. 2026: Three decades of research on molecular genetic characteristics of Echinococcus spp.: a bibliometric study. Folia Parasitol. 73: 001.


Folia Parasitologica - Most viewed articles

Show: Order by: Page size:

Results 421 to 450 of 3110:

Molecular characterization of Leishmania spp. in reservoir hosts in endemic foci of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran

Mohammad Akhoundi, Mehdi Mohebali, Mina Asadi, Mohamad Reza Mahmodi, Kamyar Amraei, AsadMirzaei

Folia Parasitologica 60[3] 218-224 (2013) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2013.024  

Abstract: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is an expanding disease and a public health issue in Iran. In the present study, rate of natural infection of rodent populations with Leishmania was investigated in six endemic foci including 28 villages in Golestan, Esfahan, Yazd, Fars, Khuzestan and Ilam provinces. A total of 593 rodents were captured and identified as Rhombomys opimus (n = 325), Meriones libycus (n = 171), Meriones persicus (n = 27), Tatera indica (n = 37), Nesokia indica (n = 12), Rattus rattus (n = 13) and Mus musculus (n = 8). Microscopic examinations...

Analysis of the accuracy and precision of the McMaster method in detection of the eggs of Toxocara and Trichuris species (Nematoda) in dog faeces

Maciej Kochanowski, Joanna D±browska, Jacek Karamon, Tomasz Cencek, Zbigniew Osiński

Folia Parasitologica 60[3] 264-272 (2013) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2013.030  

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy and precision of McMaster method with Raynaud's modification in the detection of the eggs of the nematodes Toxocara canis (Werner, 1782) and Trichuris ovis (Abildgaard, 1795) in faeces of dogs. Four variants of McMaster method were used for counting: in one grid, two grids, the whole McMaster chamber and flotation in the tube. One hundred sixty samples were prepared from dog faeces (20 repetitions for each egg quantity) containing 15, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 eggs of T. canis and T. ovis in 1 g of faeces. To compare the influence of kind...

Huffmanela markgracei sp. n. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) from buccal cavity of Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae), in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico off Texas

Carlos F. Ruiz, Stephen A. Bullard

Folia Parasitologica 60[4] 353-358 (2013) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2013.036  

Abstract: Eggs of Huffmanela markgracei sp. n. infected one of three Atlantic sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Richardson) (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae) captured by bottom long-line in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico off Padre Island, Texas. Eggs in the skin formed sinuous tracks (1-8 eggs wide; 1-4 eggs deep; 150 eggs/mm2) occupying a swath of the skin 22 cm × 2 cm on the tongue, branchial arches and the dorsal surface of the buccal cavity. Eggs had transverse eggshell ridges (branching and non-branching), had shells that were clear, amber or brown, and measured 90-113 µm (x = 102...

A new species of Rhabdias Stiles et Hassall, 1905 (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) from Blommersia domerguei (Guibé) (Amphibia: Mantellidae) in Madagascar

Yuriy Kuzmin, Kerstin Junker, Louis du Preez, Odile Bain

Folia Parasitologica 60[5] 469-474 (2013) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2013.050  

Abstract: Rhabdias blommersiae sp. n. (Nematoda: Rhabdiasidae) is described from the lungs of Domergue's Madagascar frog, Blommersia domerguei (Guibé) (Amphibia: Mantellidae), in Madagascar. The new species differs from congeners parasitizing amphibians in having a smaller body and buccal capsule, six equal lips, large excretory glands of unequal length and a posteriorly inflated body vesicle. A combination of characters distinguishes it from Afromalagasy species of Rhabdias Stiles et Hassall, 1905. Rhabdias blommersiae is the third species of the genus described from amphibians in Madagascar. Close similarities in the number...

Morphological and ultrastructural redescription of Chloromyxum leydigi Mingazzini, 1890 (Myxozoa: Myxosporea), type species of the genus, infecting the gall bladder of the marine cartilaginous fish Torpedo marmorata Risso (Chondrichthyes: Torpedinidae), from the Portuguese Atlantic coast

Sónia Rocha, Graça Casal, Saleh Al-Quraishy, Carlos Azevedo

Folia Parasitologica 61[1] 1-10 (2014) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2014.006  

Chloromyxum leydigi Mingazzini, 1890, the type species of Chloromyxum Mingazzini, 1890, is redescribed based on material found in the gall bladder of the cartilaginous fish Torpedo marmorata Risso collected from the Portuguese Atlantic coast and its sporogonic development is described. Plasmodia and mature spores were floating free in the bile. Plasmodia are polysporic and highly polymorphic in shape and organization. Mature spores are spherical to subspherical with a pointed anterior end, measuring 12.3 ± 0.5 μm in length and 9.0 ± 0.5 μm in width. The spore wall is composed of two asymmetric shell valves, each bearing...

A review of the genus Paramoniezia Maplestone et Southwell, 1923 (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae), with a new genus, Phascolocestus, from wombats (Marsupialia) and redescriptions of Moniezia mettami Baylis, 1934 and Moniezia phacochoeri (Baylis, 1927) comb. n. from African warthogs (Artiodactyla)

Ian Beveridge

Folia Parasitologica 61[1] 21-33 (2014) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2014.008  

Paramoniezia suis Maplestone et Southwell, 1923 is redescribed from the type and only specimen, and is considered to be a genus inquirendum and species inquirenda, possibly based on a host misidentification. Paramoniezia phacochoeri Baylis, 1927 is redescribed from new material from Phacochoerus africanus (Gmelin) from South Africa and is transferred to Moniezia Blanchard, 1891 as M. phacochoeri (Baylis, 1927) comb. n. A redescription of M. mettami Baylis, 1934, also from Ph. africanus, establishes the independence of the two congeneric species parasitizing warthogs. A new genus, Phascolocestus,...

Capillostrongyloides morae sp. n. (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from deep-sea fish (Teleostei, Moridae) in the western Mediterranean Sea

David González-Solís, Maite Carrassón, Ana Pérez-del-Olmo

Folia Parasitologica 61[1] 63-68 (2014) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2014.003  

A new capillariid nematode, Capillostrongyloides morae sp. n., is described from specimens collected from the stomach and intestine of the common mora, Mora moro (Risso), and the Mediterranean codling, Lepidion lepidion (Risso) (both Gadiformes, Moridae), off the Mediterranean coasts of Spain. The new species shows similar morphological features as other congeneric species occurring in freshwater and marine fishes, but it differs in the length of the body and spicules, the size of the caudal bursa, and the presence of an elevated anterior vulvar lip. Capillostrongyloides morae sp. n. is the second species within the genus...

Ultrastructure and localisation of late-sporogonic developmental stages of Sphaerospora ranae (Myxosporea: Sphaerosporidae)

Miloslav Jirků, Pavla Bartoąová-Sojková

Folia Parasitologica 61[4] 311-321 (2014) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2014.047  

Data on external ultrastructure of myxospores and internal ultrastructure of advanced pseudoplasmodia and myxospores of topotypic samples of Sphaerospora ranae (Morelle, 1929) from Rana dalmatina Bonaparte are provided, together with in situ hybridisation results. In both frogs examined, the infection was restricted to renal tubules and corpuscles. The infection site restriction was confirmed by light and transmission electron microscopy, as well as by in situ hybridisation. In addition, large myxospore masses measuring up to 500 μm were detected in seminal vesicles. Only late-sporogonic stages, i.e. pseudoplasmodia harbouring...

Modelling potential presence of metazoan endoparasites of bobcats (Lynx rufus) using verified records

Shelby J. Hiestand, Clayton K. Nielsen, F. Agustín Jiménez

Folia Parasitologica 61[5] 401-410 (2014) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2014.062  

Helminth parasites of wild and domestic felines pose a direct or potential threat to human health. Since helminths depend on multiple environmental factors that make their transmission possible, it is imperative to predict the areas where these parasites may complete the transmission to potential hosts. Bobcats, Lynx rufus (Schreberer), are the most abundant and widely-distributed wild felid species in North America. The increase of population densities of bobcats raises concerns about their importance as reservoirs of pathogens and parasites that may affect wildlife, domestic animals and humans. Our objective was to predict the potential presence...

High prevalence of trypanosome co-infections in freshwater fishes

Anastasiia Grybchuk-Ieremenko, Alexander Losev, Alexei Yu. Kostygov, Julius Lukeą, Vyacheslav Yurchenko

Folia Parasitologica 61[6] 495-504 (2014) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2014.064  

One thousand three hundred seventy three fish specimens of eight different species from the vicinity of Kyiv, Ukraine, were examined for the presence of trypanosomes and 921 individuals were found to be infected. The prevalence of infection ranged from 24% in freshwater bream, Abramis brama (Linnaeus), to 100 % in spined loach, Cobitis 'taenia' Linnaeus. The level of parasitaemia also varied significantly between generally mild infections in pikeperch, Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus), and heavy ones in C. 'taenia'. In most cases the infections with trypanosomes were asymptomatic. Cases of co-infection with species...

Phylogenetic relationships and systematic position of the families Cortrematidae and Phaneropsolidae (Platyhelminthes: Digenea)

Gerard Kanarek, Grzegorz Zale¶ny, Jiljí Sitko, Vasyl V. Tkach

Folia Parasitologica 61[6] 523-528 (2014) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2014.057  

The systematic position and phylogenetic relationships of the family Cortrematidae Yamaguti, 1958 have always been controversial. In the present study, the phylogenetic relationships of this family and its constituent genera and families within the superfamily Microphalloidea were evaluated using previously published and newly obtained sequences of 28S rDNA of Cortrema magnicaudata (Bykhovskaya-Pavlovskaya, 1950) (Cortrematidae), Phaneropsolus praomydis Baer, 1971 and Microtrema barusi Sitko, 2013 (Phaneropsolidae). Results clearly demonstrate that the genus Cortrema Tang, 1951 is closest to Gyrabascus Macy 1935,...

Assessment of platyhelminth diversity within amphibians of French Guiana revealed a new species of Nanopolystoma (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) in the caecilian Typhlonectes compressicauda

Louis H. du Preez, Mathieu Badets, Olivier Verneau

Folia Parasitologica 61[6] 537-542 (2014) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2014.065  

An expedition was undertaken to French Guiana in search of amphibian parasites. Of the 23 anuran species collected and screened for polystomes, the toad Rhinella margaritifera (Laurenti) was the sole species found to be infected with a polystome, namely Wetapolystoma almae Gray, 1983. Of the two caecilian species collected, a new species of Nanopolystoma du Preez, Huyse et Wilkinson, 2008 was discovered from the urinary bladder of the aquatic caecilian Typhlonectes compressicauda (Duméril et Bibron). The small size of the mature worm, two non-diverticulated caeca of equal length that are non-confluent posteriorly, vitelline...

How females of Achtheinus spp. (Pandaridae: Siphonostomatoida) attach to their elasmobranch hosts with notes on their effects on the hosts' fins

Susan M. Dippenaar, Anine Jordaan

Folia Parasitologica 62[1] 5 (2015) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2015.005  

Copepods of the genus Achtheinus Wilson, 1908 (Pandaridae) are parasites of elasmobranchs that attach to their fins, gill slits and around the nostrils. Specimens of Achtheinus pinguis Wilson, 1912 were collected and examined using histology and scanning electron microscopy to determine their way of attachment to the host and the possible effect on the host. They insert their antennae deep into the dermis of the shark's skin, which causes the most damage due to possible tissue compression and/or fibrosis as well as rupture of the connective tissue. Additionally, the presence of the copepod on the skin causes cell erosion of the epidermal...

Damselflies (Zygoptera) as paratenic hosts for Serpinema trispinosum and its report from turtle hosts from Oklahoma, USA

Crystal M. Wiles, Matthew G. Bolek

Folia Parasitologica 62[1] 19 (2015) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2015.019  

Third-stage larvae of the nematode Serpinema trispinosum (Leidy, 1852) were collected from the midgut of four of five species of adult damselflies (Zygoptera) from a non-irrigated restored semipermanent wetland located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. Of the four infected damselfly species, prevalence and mean abundance was highest for the southern spreadwing, Lestes disjunctus australis Walker (10%, 0.2 ± 0.8) and lowest for the familiar bluet, Enallagma civile (Hagen) (2.5%, 0.04 ± 0.3); whereas mean intensities were lowest for the citrine forktail, Ischnura hastata (Say) (1.5 ± 0.5) and the eastern...

Effect of dietary guild (frugivory and insectivory) and other host characteristics on ectoparasite abundance (mite and nycteribiid) of chiropterans

Albert Luguterah, Eric Adjei Lawer

Folia Parasitologica 62[1] 21 (2015) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2015.021  

Ectoparasites are an important factor in bat health due to emergent diseases and their associated threats to global public health. The diverse foraging habits of bats expose them to different surfaces which may influence ectoparasite infestations. In spite of these, most studies often overlook dietary specialisations when observing ectoparasite loads. The present paper quantitatively investigates whether foraging strategies as well as other host characteristics (sex, age, trunk and patagial area) influence ectoparasite (nycteribiids and mites) loads of bats. Ectoparasite counts and morphometric data were taken from mist net captures of bats. We then...

Morphological and attachment changes of Lamellodiscus theroni (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) during its post-larval development on fish

Neus Sánchez-García, Juan A. Raga, Francisco E. Montero

Folia Parasitologica 62[1] 26 (2015) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2015.026  

Species of the genus Lamellodiscus Johnston et Tiegs, 1922 (Monogenea: Diplectanidae) are characterised by a complex haptor bearing many different attachment elements: two pairs of main hooks joined by medial bars, 14 peripheral marginal hooks and one or two lamellodiscs, formed by several overlapping sclerotised plates (lamellae). These haptoral structures appear gradually during parasite development and, therefore, attachment strategies vary with developmental stage. The main aim of this work was to study the developmental changes of Lamellodiscus theroni Amine, Euzet et Kechemir-Issad, 2007 under experimental conditions, with special...

Heliconema anguillae Yamaguti, 1935, a physalopterid nematode found in Japanese eels: taxonomic resurrection with a note on the third-stage larva from intertidal crabs in western Japan

Hirotaka Katahira, Kazuya Nagasawa

Folia Parasitologica 62[1] 28 (2015) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2015.028  

A parasitic nematode from the stomach of Japanese eel Anguilla japonica Temminck et Schlegel in western Japan, previously identified as Heliconema longissimum (Ortlepp, 1922), was morphologically re-examined and compared with the previous descriptions. In addition, the third-stage larva of this nematode is described, based on the specimens of encapsuled larvae found in musculature of two crabs, Hemigrapsus sp. and Perisesarma bidens (De Haan), caught from the upper-intertidal zone of the same locality. As a result of the morphological observation, seven pairs of postcloacal papillae in adult males are confirmed. This matches...

The influence of latent toxoplasmosis on women's reproductive function: four cross-sectional studies

©árka Kaňková, Jaroslav Flegr, Pavel Calda

Folia Parasitologica 62[1] (2015) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2015.041  

Several studies have investigated the association between infection with Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908), pregnancy and fertility, but the results of studies focused on the fertility are rather ambiguous. Here we report results of four new cross-sectional studies. The studies were performed in the General University Hospital, Prague (study A with n = 1 165, and study C with n = 317), in private clinics of the Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Prague (study B with n = 1 016), and in a population of Czech and Slovak volunteers from the Facebook page 'Guinea Pigs' willing to participate in various basic science studies (study D with...

Increased sialylation as a phenomenon in accommodation of the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835) in skeletal muscle fibres

Rositsa Milcheva, Dimitar Ivanov, Ivan Iliev, Russy Russev, Svetlozara Petkova, Pavel Babál

Folia Parasitologica 62[1] (2015) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2015.049  

The biology of sialic acids has been an object of interest in many models of acquired and inherited skeletal muscle pathology. The present study focuses on the sialylation changes in mouse skeletal muscle after invasion by the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835). Asynchronous infection with T. spiralis was induced in mice that were sacrificed at different time points of the muscle phase of the disease. The amounts of free sialic acid, sialylated glycoproteins and total sialyltransferase activity were quantified. Histochemistry with lectins specific for sialic acid was performed in order to localise distribution of sialylated...

The occurrence of Echinorhynchus salmonis Müller, 1784 in benthic amphipods in the Baltic Sea

Daniel P. Benesh, Raija-Liisa Aura, Ann-Britt Andersin, E. Tellervo Valtonen

Folia Parasitologica 62[1] (2015) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2015.052  

The acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus salmonis Müller, 1784 is a common parasite of salmonid fish, but it has rarely been reported from an intermediate host. Samples of benthic amphipods, Monoporeia affinis (Lindström), were taken from multiple, deep sites (usually below 70 m) in the Gulf of Bothnia over the course of more than a decade and examined for acanthocephalans. Overall, only 0.44% of 23 296 amphipods were infected, all with just a single worm. This prevalence is consistent with several previous reports of acanthocephalans in deep-water, benthic amphipods, but it appears low compared to that often reported for acanthocephalan...

Seasonal occurrence and microhabitat specificity of Paradiplozoon ichthyoxanthon Avenant-Oldewage in Avenant-Oldewage et al., 2014 (Monogenea: Diplozoidae) infecting Labeobarbus aeneus (Burchell) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Vaal Dam, South Africa: water quality and host size as determining factors?

Beric M. Gilbert, Annemariè Avenant-Oldewage

Folia Parasitologica 63:004 (2016) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2016.004  

This is the first study detailing the microhabitat specificity of the monogenean parasite, Paradiplozoon ichthyoxanthon Avenant-Oldewage in Avenant-Oldewage et al., 2014. Samples of the monogenean were collected from the gills of the smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus (Burchell) from the Vaal Dam, South Africa, over four seasons with the use of gill nets. Host condition factor fluctuated between the different seasons, with the highest values recorded in summer. Adults and diporpas of P. ichthyoxanthon were found in all four seasons. Adult parasites predominantly infect the first gill arch, whereas diporpas were...

The first detection of species of Babesia Starcovici, 1893 in moose, Alces alces (Linnaeus), in Norway

Irma Pūraitė, Olav Rosef, Jana Radzijevskaja, Indrė Lipatova, Algimantas Paulauskas

Folia Parasitologica 63:009 (2016) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2016.009  

Babesiosis is an emerging zoonotic disease and various wildlife species are reservoir hosts for zoonotic species of Babesia Starcovici, 1893. The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence and prevalence of Babesia spp. in moose Alces alces (Linnaeus) in two regions of Norway. A total of 99 spleen samples were collected from animals of various ages from an area with the occurrence of the tick Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758), and from an area where the ticks are known to be absent. Infection was detected by the amplification of different regions of the 18S rRNA gene by using two different PCR primer sets...

Correlation between host specificity and genetic diversity for the muscle-dwelling fish parasite Myxobolus pseudodispar: examples of myxozoan host-shift?

Barbara Forró, Edit Eszterbauer

Folia Parasitologica 63:019 (2016) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2016.019  

Myxobolus pseudodispar Gorbunova, 1936 (Myxozoa) is capable of infecting and developing mature myxospores in several cyprinid species. However, M. pseudodispar isolates from different fish show up to 5% differences in the SSU rDNA sequences. This is an unusually large intraspecific difference for myxozoans and only some of the muscle-dwelling myxozoan species possess such a high genetic variability. We intended to study the correlation between the host specificity and the phylogenetic relationship of the parasite isolates, and to find experimental proof for the putatively wide host range of M. pseudodispar with cross-infection experiments...

A synopsis of records of myxozoan parasites (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) from shrews, with additional data on Soricimyxum fegati from common shrew Sorex araneus in Hungary and pygmy shrew Sorex minutus in Slovakia

Csaba Székely, Stephen D. Atkinson, Kálmán Molnár, László Egyed, András Gubányi, Gábor Cech

Folia Parasitologica 63:021 (2016) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2016.021  

Myxozoans (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) are almost exclusively endoparasites of aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, with the notable exception being two species of Soricimyxum Prunescu, Prunescu, Pucek et Lom, 2007 described from terrestrial shrews (Soricidae) in central Europe. Myxospores of the two parasites are morphologically indistinguishable, but have SSU rDNA sequences that differ by about 4%. Herein, we report additional molecular and histology data from Soricimyxum fegati Prunescu, Prunescu, Pucek et Lom, 2007 from common shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus) from Hungary, and add a new geographic record for S. fegati in pygmy...

Development of an ELISA using anti-idiotypic antibody for diagnosis of opisthorchiasis

Aitbay K. Bulashev, Sergey N. Borovikov, Shynar S. Serikova, Zhanbolat A. Suranshiev, Vladimir S. Kiyan, Saule Z. Eskendirova

Folia Parasitologica 63:025 (2016) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2016.025  

Monoclonal antibody specific for an epitope of cretory-secretory antigen protein of Opisthorchis felineus (Rivolta, 1884) (Trematoda: Opisthorchiidae) with a molecular weight of 28 kDa was used in a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for immobilisation of liver fluke specific antigen to the solid phase. Examination of human sera by this ELISA compared with commercial assays demonstrated that the monoclonal antibody epitope is located within this significant parasite protein. Anti-idiotypic antibody specific for the paratope of this monoclonal antibody was obtained by a hybridoma technique. Mimicking an epitope of excretory-secretory...

Analysis of structures and epitopes of a novel secreted protein MYR1 in Toxoplasma gondii

Jian Zhou, Gang Lu, Shenyi He

Folia Parasitologica 63:028 (2016) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2016.028  

Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908) is an obligate intracellular apicomplexan parasite and can infect warmblooded animals and humans all over the world. Development of effective vaccines is considered the only ideal way to control infection with T. gondii. However, only one live vaccine is commercially available for use in sheep and goats. Thus more effective antigenic proteins are searched for. In the present study we report a novel protein by secreted T. gondii termed Myc regulation 1 (MYR1). The physical and chemical characteristics, epitopes, hydrophilicity and functional sites of MYR1 were analysed by multiple bioinformatic...

Toxoplasmosis in Nigeria: the story so far (1950-2016): a review

John Asekhaen Ohiolei, Clement Isaac

Folia Parasitologica 63:030 (2016) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2016.030  

Toxoplasmosis is caused by intracellular protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (Nicolle et Manceaux, 1908). Cats and other felids are the definitive hosts. It could be transmitted to man and animals by consumption of infected undercooked meat and contaminated food items including drinking water. Results of toxoplasmosis epidemiological surveys in animals and humans in South-West, North-West, North-East and North-Central Zones of Nigeria have been reported with greater impact on the health of pregnant women and HIV-infected individuals. Meanwhile, studies in states within the South-South and South-East Zones are relatively scanty or non-existent....

Zoonotic Enterocytozoon bieneusi in raw wastewater in Zhengzhou, China

Jianbin Ye, Ji Yan, Jia Xu, Ke Ma, Xuepeng Yang

Folia Parasitologica 64:002 (2017) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2017.002  

Contamination of Enterocytozoon bieneusi Desportes, Charpentier, Galian, Bernard, Cochand-Priollet, Laverne, Ravisse, et Modigliani, 1985 in water sources may cause outbreaks of microsporidiosis. To examine the occurrence of E. bieneusi, 108 raw wastewater samples were collected from three wastewater treated plants in Zhengzhou, China. In total, 46 samples were PCR positive for E. bieneusi. A total of 15 ITS genotypes was identified, including ten known genotypes (D, BEB6, I, J, PigEbIX, PigEBITS5, EbpA, Peru6, Peru8, Type IV) and five novel genotypes (HNWW1, HNWW2, HNWW3, HNWW4, HNWW5). Nine genotypes belonged to a known zoonotic...

Three new genera of rhinebothriidean cestodes from stingrays in Southeast Asia

Janine N. Caira, Claire J. Healy, Fernando P.L. Marques, Kirsten Jensen

Folia Parasitologica 64:008 (2017) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2017.008  

Three genera of rhinebothriideans, previously referred to as New genus 1, New genus 2 and New genus 4, are erected in the the Anthocephaliidae. New genus 1 is established as Divaricobothrium gen. n., with Divaricobothrium tribelum sp. n. as its type species; Echeneibothrium trifidum Shipley et Hornell, 1906 is transferred to the genus as Divaricobothrium trifidum (Shipley et Hornell, 1906) comb. n. This genus is unique among rhinebothriidean genera in bearing bothridia that are posteriorly deeply divided into two lobes with facial loculi but no apical sucker, and a vagina that extends to near the anterior margin of the proglottid....

New species of Aberrapex Jensen, 2001 (Cestoda: Lecanicephalidea) from eagle rays of the genus Myliobatis Cuvier (Myliobatiformes: Myliobatidae) from off Argentina

Adriana Menoret, Leonardo Mutti, Verónica A. Ivanov

Folia Parasitologica 64:009 (2017) | DOI: 10.14411/fp.2017.009  

Three new species of Aberrapex Jensen, 2001 (Cestoda: Lecanicephalidea) have been collected from species of Myliobatis Cuvier along the coast of Argentina. Aberrapex ludmilae sp. n. parasitises M. goodei Garman in the San Matías Gulf. This species is unique in a combination of features including the shape and extent of the uterus, scolex size, testis distribution, and by lacking an external seminal vesicle and postovarian vitelline follicles. Aberrapex sanmartini sp. n. from M. goodei in San Blas Bay and A. vitalemuttiorum sp. n. from M. ridens Ruocco, Lucifora, Díaz de Astarloa, Mabragaña...