Population dynamics of two species of intestinal helminth in oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus)

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 296-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. Goater ◽  
J. D. Goss-Custard ◽  
C. R. Kennedy

The cestode Micrasomacanthus rectacantha and the trematode Psilostomum brevicolle are the two most common intestinal helminths of oystercatchers, Haematopus ostralegus, on the Exe estuary, England. Each was present in 57 of 60 birds, in numbers ranging from 1 to 9833 and from 1 to 182, respectively. Cockles (Cerastoderma edule) were used as paratenic host by M. rectacantha and as second intermediate host by P. brevicolle. Over 90% of the transmission of M. rectacantha from intermediate hosts occurred in winter, between cockles and juvenile birds. Exposure to M. rectacantha was highest in cockles from muddy sites, where up to 80% of older cockles were infected with 1–14 larvae. Exposure to P. brevicolle was similarly high at one sandy site. Juveniles also made up > 90% of the birds present on the estuary in summer, when significantly more worms were gravid. Estimates based on the numbers of uterine eggs per individual P. brevicolle showed that 8 % of the total Exe population of oystercatchers (ca. 200) contributed 51% of the eggs to the estuary. The results implicate host age, host feeding preference, and host population structure as important factors determining variation in helminth abundance in birds.

Author(s):  
Minyahil Tadesse Boltena ◽  
Ziad El-Khatib ◽  
Abraham Sahlemichael Kebede ◽  
Benedict Oppong Asamoah ◽  
Andualem Tadesse Boltena ◽  
...  

Background: Coinfection of malaria and intestinal helminths affects one third of the global population, largely among communities with severe poverty. The spread of these parasitic infections overlays in several epidemiological locations and the host shows different outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis determine the pooled prevalence of malaria and intestinal helminthiases coinfections among malaria suspected patients in Ethiopia. Methods: Primary studies published in English language were retrieved using appropriate search terms on Google Scholar, PubMed/MEDLINE, CINHAL, Scopus, and Embase. The Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used for critical appraisal of studies. A pooled statistical meta-analysis was conducted using STATA Version 14.0 software. The heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed using the I2 statistics and Egger’s test, respectively. Duval and Tweedie’s nonparametric trim and fill analysis using the random-effect analysis. The Random effects model was used to estimate the summary prevalence of comorbidity of malaria and soil transmitted helminthiases and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). The review protocol has registered in PROSPERO number CRD42019144803. Results: We identified ten studies (n = 6633 participants) in this study. The overall pooled result showed 13% of the ambulatory patients infected by malaria and intestinal helminths concurrently in Ethiopia. The pooled prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, and mixed infections were 12, 30, and 6%, respectively. The most common intestinal helminth parasites detected were Hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Tirchuris trichiura. Conclusions: The comorbidity of malaria and intestinal helminths causes lower hemoglobin level leading to maternal anemia, preterm delivery, and still birth in pregnant women and lactating mother. School-aged children and neonates coinfected by plasmodium species and soil transmitted helminths develop cognitive impairment, protein energy malnutrition, low birth weight, small for gestational age, and gross motor delay. The Ministry of Health of Ethiopia and its international partners working on malaria elimination programs should give more emphasis to the effect of the interface of malaria and soil transmitted helminths, which calls for an integrated disease control and prevention.


Parasitology ◽  
1927 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Brown

1. Crepidostomum farionis inhabits the gall bladder, as well as the intestine and pyloric caeca, of the trout and grayling.2. The life history of Crepidostomum farionis has been worked out and is based on the similarity of organisation of the cercaria, encysted larval trematode and the adult.3. The first intermediate hosts in the life history of this trematode are Pisidium amnicum (Müll.) and Sphaerium corneum (L.) though the latter is unusual.4. The second intermediate host is the larva of the mayfly, Ephemera danica (Müll.).5. There are two generations of rediae, the first gives rise to daughter rediae, which in turn produce cercariae.6. The rediae are characterised by the absence of ambulatory processes and a functional intestine.7. The cercaria (n.sp.) possesses “eye spots,” stylet and gland cells (salivary?), and the excretory vesicle is tube-shaped.8. The excretory system of the redia and the cercaria has been worked out in detail.9. The relation of the parasites to their respective hosts is discussed. On account of the need for further observations definite conclusions are held over for a later paper.


Parasitology ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Chan ◽  
H. L. Guyatt ◽  
D. A. P. Bundy ◽  
G. F. Medley

SummaryEpidemiological modelling can be a useful tool for the evaluation of parasite control strategies. An age-structured epidemiological model of intestinal helminth dynamics is developed. This model includes the explicit representation of changing worm distributions between hosts as a result of treatment, and estimates the morbidity due to heavy infections. The model is used to evaluate the effectiveness of different programmes of age-targeted community chemotherapy in reducing the amount of morbidity due to helminth infection. The magnitude of age-related heterogeneities is found to be very important in determining the results of age-targeted treatment programmes. The model was verified using field data from control programmes for Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, and was found to provide accurate predictions of prevalence and mean intensities of infection during and following different control regimes.


Author(s):  
UK Mohanta ◽  
A Anisuzzaman ◽  
T Farjana ◽  
PM Das ◽  
S Majumder ◽  
...  

Prevalence, population dynamics and pathological effects of intestinal helminths in Black Bengal goats were studied by examining 150 viscera collecting from different slaughter houses of Mymensingh district from the period of November 2005 to May 2006 in the Department of Parasitology and Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh,  of which 94.67% goats were infected with one or more species of helminths. A total of 5 species of helminth parasites were identified such as Oesophagostomum columbianum (92%), Trchuris ovis (56.66%), Schistosoma indicum (38%), Moniezia expansa (10.66%) and Moniezia benedeni (2.66%). Single infection was observed in case of O. columbianum (16%) and S. indicum (2.66%). Single sex infection was established by S. indicum male (5.33%). Overall mean parasitic burden was 34.02±2.20. Mean parasitic burden was the highest in case of O. columbianum (29.91±2.00) followed by that of T. ovis (5.70±0.47), S. indicum (4.66±0.42), M. expansa (2.59±0.54) and M. benedeni (1.00±00). Prevalence of intestinal helminth was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in winter (100%) than that in summer (89.33%). Calculated odds ratio in between winter and summer was 18, which indicated that Black Bengal goats were 18 times more susceptible to helminth infection in winter. Parasitic burden was also higher in winter (41.53±3.15) than that in summer (25.52±2.57) season. Pathological lesions were observed in case of O. columbianum, T. ovis and S. indicum infection. In O. columbianum infection, hard, raised, slightly yellowish to greenish colored nodules measuring 0.25×0.50 cm were observed. Microscopically, it was characterized by catarrhal inflammation associated with destruction and desquamation of epithelial cells. Affected tissues were infiltrated chiefly with lymphocytes, macrophages, a few eosinophils and occasionally with plasma cells and neutrophils. Caseation and fibrous tissue proliferation were also noticed. But moderate infection with T. ovis was characterized by catarrhal inflammation along with the petechial haemorrhages on the intestinal mucosa where parasites were firmly attached. Histopathologically, it was characterized by destruction of lining epithelium of villi of caecum and colon along with the cellular infiltration predominantly with lymphocytes, few eosinophils and occasionally by macrophages. Lymph nodes of the lamina propria were enlarged. In case of S. indicum infection, haemorrhages were observed particularly on the rectal mucosa. Numerous eggs were found in the mucosal scraping from intestinal surface. Microscopically, lamina propria was thick and inflammed. Granulomatous response was observed which was characterized by the infiltration of epitheloid cells and proliferation of fibroblasts. The present study clearly suggests that Black Bengal goats are susceptible to intestinal helminths in both winter and summer seasons and most of the parasites recovered were associated with the production of variable degree of pathological lesions. That is why proper attempts should be made to control all these parasites. Key words: Prevalence, population dynamics, pathological effects, intestinal helminths, goat DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v5i1.1313 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2007). 5 (1 & 2): 63-69


2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 296-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Garbin ◽  
J. I. Diaz ◽  
A. Morgenthaler ◽  
A. Millones ◽  
L. Kuba ◽  
...  

SummaryAnisakids are usually acquired through the diet. Cormorant pellets are useful to detect both parasite larval stages, and prey items which could act as intermediate hosts in the environment. The current study provides information about the feeding habits of both birds and mammals, and the diversity of parasites circulating in the environment. The objective of the study was to identify Anisakidae larvae and prey items in pellets from the Imperial shag Phalacrocorax atriceps and the Red-legged cormorant P. gaimardi, suggesting possible parasite–prey associations. A total of 92 P. atriceps’ and 82 P. gaimardi’s pellets were collected from both Punta León, and Isla Elena bird colonies, respectively, during the period from 2006 to 2010. Pellets were preserved in ethanol and hard prey item remnants, and nematode larvae were studied using standard techniques. Prey item occurrence, nematode prevalence, and mean intensity were calculated. A correspondence analysis was performed to evaluate the larvae-prey association. Contracaecum spp., Pseudoterranova spp,, Anisakis spp., Terranova spp., and Hysterothylacium spp. third-stage larvae (L3) were identifi ed in pellets. Pseudoterranova spp. and Anisakis spp. L3 predominated in the environment of Punta León, whereas Contracaecum spp. and Hysterothylacium spp. L3 predominated in the Puerto Deseado area. The highest larvae-prey association was that of Contracaecum spp. L3 with Engraulis anchoita, followed by with Odontestes sp. in P. atriceps’ pellets. Contracaecum spp. L3 were significantly related to both sprats, Sprattus fueguensis and Ramnogaster arcuatta, in P. gaimardi’s pellets. It was verifi ed that E. anchovy is the main gateway of Contracaecum spp. L3 in P. atriceps. Odonthestes sp. might act as an intermediate/paratenic host of Contracaecum spp. L3 in the area. Both sprats might play a role as intermediate/paratenic hosts of C. australe, being the main gateway into P. gaimardi in the area. Thus, pellet analysis can be postulated as a good tool for indicating parasite-host associations between anisakids, and the prey items which act as intermediate hosts.


1993 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICHARD N. JOHNSON ◽  
PHILIP M. NGUMBI ◽  
J. PANWEL MWANYUMBA ◽  
CLIFFORD R. ROBERTS

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. McCarthy

The potential influence of second intermediate host species on the infectivity of metacercarial cysts of Echinoparyphium recurvatum to the definitive host Anas platyrhynchos was examined experimentally. Echinoparyphium recurvatum metacercarial cysts were obtained from the following experimentally infected second intermediate hosts 14 days post expsoure to cercariae: Lymnaea peregra; Physa fontinalis; L. stagnalis;Planorbis planorbis; Biomphalaria glabrata; tadpoles of the amphibian Rana temporaria. Metacercarial cysts from each of these hosts were fed, in doses of 50 cysts per individual, to separate groups composed of between four and eight, 3-day-old A. platyrhynchos ducklings. All A. platyrhynchos were necropsied 15 days post-infection and the number, size, and reproductive status of E. recurvatum worms in the intestine was recorded. Analyses of variance on the number (transformed log (x + 1)) and size of worms revealed no significant differences in worms originating from metacercariae formed in the different second intermediate hosts (worm number P > 0.05, and worm size P > 0.05). All worms recovered were found to be gravid. It is therefore concluded that the species of second intermediate host utilized does not influence the infectivity of the metacercarial cyst of E. recurvatum, nor the subsequent establishment and reproductive status of the parasite in A. platyrhynchos.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidrun Gehlen ◽  
Nadine Wulke ◽  
Antonia Ertelt ◽  
Martin K. Nielsen ◽  
Simone Morelli ◽  
...  

All around the world, intestinal helminths constitute one of the most prevalent life-long occurring infections and re-infections affecting all horse age groups. A range of parasite species among strongyles, ascarids, and tapeworms is known to have the potential to cause colic in horses. However, there is a lack of current scientific evidence on the actual relevance of helminth infection levels in the context of colic in horses kept during prevailing epidemiological conditions. Thus, a prospective case-control study on the occurrence of intestinal helminths in a total of 620 mainly adult equine clinic patients was conducted to investigate the association between colic and helminth infection. For each horse, a range of copromicroscopic, serological, and clinical data was obtained, in addition to a questionnaire on relevant anamnestic data, including previous anthelmintic treatment and husbandry. Using a FLOTAC-based copromicroscopic diagnosis, the highest infection rates were seen for strongyles (41.8%), followed by Anoplocephala perfoliata and Parascaris spp. (both 0.8%), with no significant difference between the two study groups. Employing a real-time PCR a 1.1% S. vulgaris DNA prevalence was found. Considerably higher seroprevalences were observed using S. vulgaris and A. perfoliata ELISAs, with 32.3% and 10.7%, respectively. It was noteworthy that no association concerning either serologic status was encountered with colic status. The shedding of strongyle eggs was associated with a 1.8-times increased risk of S. vulgaris seropositivity. Recent anthelmintic treatment was associated with the onset of colic, as animals who had received an anthelmintic during the previous week had a 2.4-times higher risk of signs of colic compared to those who had been treated at least eight weeks prior. Another noteworthy observation was that ponies were significantly less often affected by colic than warmbloods. The high S. vulgaris and considerable A. perfoliata seroprevalences encountered in this investigation should prompt veterinarians, farm managers, and horse owners to maintain consequent and effective worm control measures.


2000 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1137-1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean G McCurdy ◽  
J Sherman Boates ◽  
Mark R Forbes

We studied the spatial distributions of mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) infected by two trematodes, Lepocreadium setiferoides and Gynaecotyla adunca, on a macrotidal mudflat in the Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy. Snails, as first intermediate hosts, were castrated by both parasites, and we found no evidence of sex differences in parasitism. Similar to previous work, prevalence of L. setiferoides in I. obsoleta increased exponentially with host size (and age). Unexpectedly, prevalence of G. adunca decreased over the largest size classes of snails, a result that may be due to several causes. Distributions of both parasites across the intertidal zone differed from previous accounts in that snails infected with L. setiferoides were found only in the middle of the intertidal zone, whereas prevalence of G. adunca increased exponentially moving seaward. Several species of polychaetes could be infected by L. setiferoides in the laboratory and may act as appropriate second intermediate hosts, whereas only the amphipod Corophium volutator served as a second intermediate host for G. adunca. Finally, the vertical distributions of I. obsoleta infected by either species of trematode overlap with distributions of apparent or known second intermediate hosts.


1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 924-927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar M. Amin

Of the complex factors affecting the abundance of acanthocephalan infections in their definitive fish hosts, those related to fish age are considered. In Lake Michigan, the abundance of some 8000 worms, mostly Echinorhynchus salmonis (Müller, 1784), was independent of the age (weight) of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum), chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), and lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum), using linear regression analysis. Other E. salmonis infection patterns include steady increase in abundance with host age and a maximal increase in midage. A decrease in abundance with host age was demonstrated in other acanthocephalan species. The above patterns were primarily related to host feeding behavior as well as spatial and seasonal distribution of invertebrate and vertebrate larval hosts. A progressive increase in the abundance of Echinorhynchus through midage or through life is associated with a stable intake of an invertebrate diet, including the infected intermediate host, in larger volumes by older fish. Loss of the latter two patterns is affected by destabilizing the above trend through total or partial replacement of the invertebrate diet with a piscivorous one.


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