Reviving a tradition: The Development of Strongylus vulgaris in larval culture

2021 ◽  
Vol 300 ◽  
pp. 109619
Author(s):  
Jessica A. Scare Kenealy ◽  
Ashely E. Steuer
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Maruszewska-Cheruiyot ◽  
Ludmiła Szewczak ◽  
Katarzyna Krawczak-Wójcik ◽  
Magdalena Głaczyńska ◽  
Katarzyna Donskow-Łysoniewska

Abstract Background Excretory-secretory (ES) products are crucial in maintaining helminths in the host. Consequently, the proteins of ES are potential vaccine molecules and potential therapeutic agents for autoimmune diseases. Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri, a gastrointestinal parasite of mice, is a model of hookworm infection in humans. ES produced by both sexes of H. polygyrus bakeri L4 stage cultured separately shows different immunomodulatory properties than ES obtained when both sexes are cultured together. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to identify and compare the excretory-secretory molecules from single-sex and mixed cultures. Methods The composition of ES of male and female L4 stage nematodes in the presence (cultured together) or absence (cultured alone) of the opposite sex was examined. Proteins were identified using mass spectrometry. The functions of identified proteins were explored with Blast2GO. Results A total of 258 proteins derived from mixed larval culture in the presence of sex pheromones were identified, 160 proteins from pure female cultures and 172 from pure male cultures. Exposure of nematodes to the sex pheromones results in abundant production of proteins with immunomodulatory properties such as Val proteins, acetylcholinesterases, TGF-β mimic 9 and HpARI. Proteins found only in ES from mixed larval cultures were TGF-β mimics 6 and 7 as well as galectin. Conclusions The presence of the opposite sex strongly influences the composition of ES products, probably by chemical (pheromone) communication between individuals. However, examination of the composition of ES from various conditions gives an opportunity for searching for new potentially therapeutic compounds and anthelminthics as well as components of vaccines. Manipulation of the nematode environment might be important for the studies on the immunomodulatory potential of nematodes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Halvarsson ◽  
Johan Höglund

Abstract Background A novel way to study the species composition and diversity of nematode parasites in livestock is to perform deep sequencing on composite samples containing a mixture of different species. Herein we describe for the first time the nematode community structures (nemabiomes) inhabiting Swedish sheep and how these are/were affected by host age and recent anthelmintic treatments. Methods A total of 158 fecal samples were collected (n = 35 in 2007 and n = 123 in 2013–2016) and cultured from groups of sheep on 61 commercial farms in the south-central part of the country where most animals are grazed. Among the samples, 2 × 44 (56%) were paired collections from the same groups pre- and post-treatment with anthelmintics such as macrocyclic lactones, benzimidazoles or levamisole. Samples were analyzed for their nemabiome using the PacBio platform followed by bioinformatic sequence analysis with SCATA. Species richness and diversity were calculated and analyzed in R. Results Nematode ITS2 sequences were found in all larval culture samples except two, even though the fecal egg counts were below the McMaster threshold in 20 samples. Sequencing yielded, on average, 1008 sequences per sample. In total, 16 operational taxonomical units (OTU), all with ≥ 98 % identity to sequences in the NCBI database, were recognized. The OTUs found represented nematode species of which ten are commonly associated with sheep. Multiple species were identified in all pre-anthelmintic treatment larval culture samples. No effects on nematode diversity were found in relation to host age. On the other hand, recent anthelmintic treatment lowered species richness, especially after use of ivermectin and albendazole. Interestingly, despite zero egg counts after use of levamisole, these samples still contained nematode DNA and especially H. contortus. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence that nemabiome analysis combined with diversity index analysis provides an objective methodology in the study of the efficacy of anthelmintic treatment as both high and low abundant species were detected.


Aquaculture ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 181 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Baskerville-Bridges ◽  
L.J Kling

Author(s):  
Marius Catalin BUZATU ◽  
Ioan Liviu MITREA ◽  
Alexandra GRUIANU ◽  
Mariana IONITA

This study aimed to investigate the presence of Strongylus vulgaris on different horse establishments in Romania. A total number of 380 horses were enrolled in the study, representing: three stud farms (n=156); four sport/recreational establishments (n=75); and working horses (n=149). Overall, 106 premises/yards from 17 localities in 9 counties from North-Eastern, Center and Southern Romania were visited. Fresh fecal sample were collected from individual horses and were analyzed by a modified McMaster method for fecal strongyle egg per gram counting. Further, larval cultures were performed for morphological identification of S. vulgaris third stage larvae. Overall, of the investigated horses from studs, sport/recreational units, and working horses, 84.60%, 44.0%, and 79.20%, respectively were positive for strongyle. On coprocultures, cyathostomin-larvae were the most prevalent in all horse-establishment types, while S. vulgaris larvae were found only in working horses (12.1%; n=18). Other strongylin species have been identified, namely S. equinus, S. edentatus, Oesophagodontus robustus, and Triodontophorus spp. all in working horses, and Craterostomum acuticaudatum, in both working horses and horses for sport units. However, further studies are planned by using more sensitive technique for monitoring of S. vulgaris in Romanian horse farms.


1974 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Duncan
Keyword(s):  

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