Temporal effects and changes in the parasitic community of Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes, 1837) (Characiformes: Prochilodontidae) in a floodplain

2022 ◽  
Vol 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsler Luana Lehun ◽  
Lidiany Doreto Cavalcanti ◽  
Maria de los Angeles Perez Lizama ◽  
João Otávio Santos Silva ◽  
Guilherme Pomaro Casali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Fish Length ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Prochilodus Lineatus ◽  
Length Relationship ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Upper Paraná River Floodplain ◽  
The Face

Abstract The construction of dams causes several impacts on aquatic environments, altering the flow of rivers, environmental variables, and all biota present, including parasites. Little is known about how the parasitic community can be influenced in the long term by environmental changes. In this study, it was expected that the impacts caused by environmental disturbances will be directly reflected by the composition of the parasite populations. We evaluated the change in the structure of the Prochilodus lineatus endoparasite community between two periods sampled 15 years apart in the upper Paraná River floodplain. There was a significant difference in the weight–length relationship of P. lineatus between these periods and a total of 15 species of parasites were found: 11 species in Period 1 and nine species in Period 2 and five species occurred in both periods. The species richness and diversity were higher in Period 1, and we observed that the correlation of descriptors (richness, diversity and evenness) increased with fish length in this period. In both periods, digeneans numerically dominated the parasitic community, and we verified changes in the composition of parasites between periods. Both the host and the parasites were possibly affected by the environmental impacts resulting from the construction of dams over time, and it is noteworthy that complex life cycle parasites such as Digenea and Acanthocephala require intermediate hosts to complete their life cycle, and the population responds to fluctuations in the face of modified environments.

scholarly journals Developmental regulation of edited CYb and COIII mitochondrial mRNAs is achieved by distinct mechanisms in Trypanosoma brucei

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (15) ◽  
pp. 8704-8723
Author(s):  
Joseph T Smith Jr. ◽  
Eva Doleželová ◽  
Brianna Tylec ◽  
Jonathan E Bard ◽  
Runpu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Developmental Regulation ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Life Cycle Stages

Abstract Trypanosoma brucei is a parasitic protozoan that undergoes a complex life cycle involving insect and mammalian hosts that present dramatically different nutritional environments. Mitochondrial metabolism and gene expression are highly regulated to accommodate these environmental changes, including regulation of mRNAs that require extensive uridine insertion/deletion (U-indel) editing for their maturation. Here, we use high throughput sequencing and a method for promoting life cycle changes in vitro to assess the mechanisms and timing of developmentally regulated edited mRNA expression. We show that edited CYb mRNA is downregulated in mammalian bloodstream forms (BSF) at the level of editing initiation and/or edited mRNA stability. In contrast, edited COIII mRNAs are depleted in BSF by inhibition of editing progression. We identify cell line-specific differences in the mechanisms abrogating COIII mRNA editing, including the possible utilization of terminator gRNAs that preclude the 3′ to 5′ progression of editing. By examining the developmental timing of altered mitochondrial mRNA levels, we also reveal transcript-specific developmental checkpoints in epimastigote (EMF), metacyclic (MCF), and BSF. These studies represent the first analysis of the mechanisms governing edited mRNA levels during T. brucei development and the first to interrogate U-indel editing in EMF and MCF life cycle stages.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of helminth infectivity: growth in intermediate hosts increases establishment rates in the next host

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1947) ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer Froelick ◽  
Laura Gramolini ◽  
Daniel P. Benesh
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Cycle Progression ◽  
Recovery Rates ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Parasitic Worms ◽  
Higher Doses

Parasitic worms (i.e. helminths) commonly infect multiple hosts in succession before reproducing. At each life cycle step, worms may fail to infect the next host, and this risk accumulates as life cycles include more successive hosts. Risk accumulation can be minimized by having high establishment success in the next host, but comparisons of establishment probabilities across parasite life stages are lacking. We compiled recovery rates (i.e. the proportion of parasites recovered from an administered dose) from experimental infections with acanthocephalans, cestodes and nematodes. Our data covered 127 helminth species and 16 913 exposed hosts. Recovery rates increased with life cycle progression (11%, 29% and 46% in first, second and third hosts, respectively), because larger worm larvae had higher recovery, both within and across life stages. Recovery declined in bigger hosts but less than it increased with worm size. Higher doses were used in systems with lower recovery, suggesting that high doses are chosen when few worms are expected to establish infection. Our results indicate that growing in the small and short-lived hosts at the start of a complex life cycle, though dangerous, may substantially improve parasites' chances of completing their life cycles.

scholarly journals Behavioral biology of Toxoplasma gondii infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Han Tong ◽  
Chris Pavey ◽  
Ryan O’Handley ◽  
Ajai Vyas
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Laboratory Rodents ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii Infection ◽  
Host Parasite

AbstractToxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite with a complex life cycle and a cosmopolitan host range. The asexual part of its life cycle can be perpetually sustained in a variety of intermediate hosts through a combination of carnivory and vertical transmission. However, T. gondii produces gametes only in felids after the predation of infected intermediate hosts. The parasite changes the behavior of its intermediate hosts by reducing their innate fear to cat odors and thereby plausibly increasing the probability that the definitive host will devour the infected host. Here, we provide a short description of such parasitic behavioral manipulation in laboratory rodents infected with T. gondii, along with a bird’s eye view of underpinning biological changes in the host. We also summarize critical gaps and opportunities for future research in this exciting research area with broad implications in the transdisciplinary study of host–parasite relationships.

scholarly journals Gnathostomiasis, Another Emerging Imported Disease

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 484-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna S. Herman ◽  
Peter L. Chiodini
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Central Nervous System Involvement ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Larva Migrans ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Imported Disease ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Third Stage

SUMMARY Gnathostomiasis is a food-borne zoonosis caused by the late-third stage larvae of Gnathostoma spp. It is being seen with increasing frequency in countries where it is not endemic and should be regarded as another emerging imported disease. Previously, its foci of endemicity have been confined to Southeast Asia and Central and South America, but its geographical boundaries appear to be increasing, with recent reports of infection in tourists returning from southern Africa. It has a complex life cycle involving at least two intermediate hosts, with humans being accidental hosts in which the larvae cannot reach sexual maturity. The main risks for acquisition are consumption of raw or undercooked freshwater fish and geographical exposure. Infection results in initial nonspecific symptoms followed by cutaneous and/or visceral larva migrans, with the latter carrying high morbidity and mortality rates if there is central nervous system involvement. We review the literature and describe the epidemiology, life cycle, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of gnathostomiasis.

scholarly journals Proteomics of Gnathostomiasis: A Way Forward for Diagnosis and Treatment Development

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tipparat Thiangtrongjit ◽  
Kathyleen Nogrado ◽  
Thawatchai Ketboonlue ◽  
Preeyarat Malaitong ◽  
Poom Adisakwattana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Future Application ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Treatment Development ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
The Past

Gnathostoma spinigerum is the most common cause of gnathostomiasis in humans. It has a complex life cycle, which requires two intermediate hosts and a definitive host, and poses a high risk for zoonosis. Definitive prognosis of gnathostomiasis relies mainly on the isolation of advanced-stage larvae (aL3), which is very challenging especially if the aL3 is sequestered in difficult-to-reach organs. There is also a lack of a confirmatory diagnostic test for gnathostomiasis. With the ongoing advancement of proteomics, a potential diagnostic approach is underway using immunoproteomics and immunodiagnostics. In addition to this, the employment of mass spectrometry could further elucidate not only understanding the biology of the parasite but also determining potential targets of prospective drugs and vaccines. This article reports the past, present, and future application of proteomics in the study of gnathostomiasis.

An acanthocephalan parasite boosts the escape performance of its intermediate host facing non-host predators

Parasitology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (8) ◽  
pp. 977-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. MEDOC ◽  
J.-N. BEISEL
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Escape Performance ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Host Condition ◽  
Gammarus Roeseli ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Acanthocephalan Parasite

SUMMARYAmong the potential effects of parasitism on host condition, the ‘increased host abilities’ hypothesis is a counterintuitive pattern which might be predicted in complex-life-cycle parasites. In the case of trophic transmission, a parasite increasing its intermediate host's performance facing non-host predators improves its probability of transmission to an adequate, definitive host. In the present study, we investigated the cost of infection with the acanthocephalanPolymorphus minutuson the locomotor/escape performance of its intermediate host, the crustaceanGammarus roeseli. This parasite alters the behaviour of its intermediate host making it more vulnerable to predation by avian definitive hosts. We assessed the swimming speeds of gammarids using a stressful treatment and their escape abilities under predation pressure. Despite the encystment ofP. minutusin the abdomen of its intermediate host, infected amphipods had significantly higher swimming speeds than uninfected ones (increases of up to 35%). Furthermore, when interacting with the non-host crustacean predatorDikerogammarus villosus, the highest escape speeds and greatest distances covered by invertebrates were observed for parasitized animals. The altered behaviour observed among the manipulated invertebrates supported the ‘increased host abilities’ hypothesis, which has until now remained untested experimentally. The tactic of increasing the ability of infected intermediate hosts to evade potential predation attempts by non-host species is discussed.

scholarly journals Molecular identification of cryptic cysticercosis: Taenia ovis krabbei in wild intermediate and domestic definitive hosts

2017 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Formenti ◽  
M. Chiari ◽  
T. Trogu ◽  
A. Gaffuri ◽  
C. Garbarino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Canis Lupus ◽  
Roe Deer ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Canis Lupus Familiaris ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Adult Tapeworm ◽  
Taenia Ovis

AbstractThe complex life cycle of taeniids represents an ideal model of a multi-host system. The complexity of these parasites can therefore cover the epidemiological issues of the interface between wild and domestic animals, especially once spatial overlap between wild and domestic definitive and intermediate hosts occurs. Here we use the occurrence of Taenia ovis krabbei in two model areas as an example of this epidemiological complexity. In two contiguous areas in the Italian northern Apennines, two hunted roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) showed numerous cysticerci in the muscles of their whole body and an adult tapeworm was recorded in a semi-stray dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Through molecular typing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) gene, cysticerci and the adult tapeworm of T. krabbei were identified. Taenia krabbei cysticercosis was recorded for the first time in Italy. Although the role of dogs in the parasite's life cycle emerges, the overlap between wild and domestic definitive hosts and the increase of wild population densities raise concerns about the temporal (old or new) introduction and the spread of this parasite by one of these canid species (wolf (Canis lupus) or dog). Although T. krabbei is not a public health issue, economic concerns emerged for hunters and meat producers, related to the damage of carcasses by cysticerci. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the spread of T. krabbei in the intermediate and definitive host populations, and to ensure the relevant sanitary education for hunters in order to avoid practices that could favour the spread and maintenance of its life cycle.

Molecular characterization and identification of digenean larval stages in Aylacostoma chloroticum (Prosobranchia: Thiaridae) from a neotropical floodplain

2019 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.M.T. Onaca ◽  
R.J. da Graça ◽  
T.M.C. Fabrin ◽  
R.M. Takemoto ◽  
A.V. de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
First Record ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Mitochondrial Marker ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Diagnostic Characteristics ◽  
Upper Paraná River Floodplain

Abstract Digeneans (Trematoda: Digenea) are endoparasites that present a complex life cycle, generally involving an intermediate invertebrate host and a vertebrate host. There is limited information about which species of molluscs may act as intermediate hosts in the upper Paraná River floodplain (UPRF), where Aylacostoma chloroticum can be considered a potential candidate. The study of digeneans in this region is important because some of these parasites are potentially zoonotic, and, therefore, are relevant to public health. However, the correct identification of these organisms during the larval stages is difficult because of the lack of morphologically diagnostic characteristics. The objective of this study was to identify and molecularly characterize the larval stages of digeneans found in A. chloroticum in the UPRF, using the mitochondrial marker of subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase and the 28S nuclear marker. The molluscs were examined in the laboratory and three morphotypes of cercariae were found. DNA was extracted from the specimens obtained and was then amplified and sequenced. The morphotypes exhibited high genetic similarities with Pseudosellacotyla, Paralecithodendrium and Philophthalmus, indicating that these organisms belong to these genera. This is the first record of larval stages of these genera in molluscs collected in the UPRF.

scholarly journals Adaptación e incertidumbre ambiental

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Serra ◽  
María José Carmona ◽  
Eduardo Moisés García-Roger ◽  
Raquel Ortells
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Evolutionary Ecology ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Uncertain Environments ◽  
Sexual And Asexual Reproduction ◽  
The Face ◽  
Survival And Reproduction ◽  
Inland Water Bodies

Studying evolution in the face of environmental uncertainty is crucial to understand biological diversity, because diversifying life strategies is key to survival and reproduction in uncertain environments. Rotifers are planktonic microinvertebrates that live in inland water bodies. Their complex life cycle combines sexual and asexual reproduction and, together with their small size and short generation times, makes them excellent model organisms in evolutionary ecology studies. Here we present field population and laboratory experimental evolution studies which show that these organisms can adapt by locally diversifying their life cycle to face unpredictable fluctuations in their environment.

Intensity-dependent host mortality: what can it tell us about larval growth strategies in complex life cycle helminths?

Parasitology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 138 (7) ◽  
pp. 913-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. BENESH
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Larval Growth ◽  
Parasite Growth ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Growth Strategies ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Female Survival ◽  
Host Mortality ◽  
Dependent Mortality

SUMMARYComplex life cycle helminths use their intermediate hosts as both a source of nutrients and as transportation. There is an assumed trade-off between these functions in that parasite growth may reduce host survival and thus transmission. The virulence of larval helminths can be assessed by experimentally increasing infection intensities and recording how parasite biomass and host mortality scale with intensity. I summarize the literature on these relationships in larval helminths and I provide an empirical example using the nematodeCamallanus lacustrisin its copepod first host. In all species studied thus far, includingC. lacustris, overall parasite volume increases with intensity. Although a few studies observed host survival to decrease predictably with intensity, several studies found no intensity-dependent mortality or elevated mortality only at extreme intensities. For instance, no intensity-dependent mortality was observed in male copepods infected withC. lacustris, whereas female survival was reduced only at high intensities (>3) and only after worms were fully developed. These observations suggest that at low, natural intensity levels parasites do not exploit intermediate hosts as much as they presumably could and that increased growth would not obviously entail survival costs.

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