Myxobolus spp. (Cnidaria: Myxobolidae) in the circulating blood of fishes from Goiás and Mato Grosso States, Brazil: case report

Myxosporidiosis is an infectious disease caused by myxozoans of the Phylum Cnidaria, Class Myxosporea, and Order Bivalvulida, considered a common parasite in fresh and saltwater fishes that parasitize many organs, especially gills. In the present study, 49 specimens of fishes belonging to eight genera: Tetragonopterus, Leporinus, Myleus, Pirinampus, Rhapiodon, Pygocentrus, Ageneiosus, and Serrasalmus were collected and blood smears were made, fixed with absolute methanol, and stained with Giemsa 10% to survey hemoparasites. However, myxospores were found in the circulating blood of five (10.20%) fishes belonging to genus Tetragonopterus, Myleus, and Pygocentrus. Two morphological types of Myxobolus spp. were identified in all the five fish specimens analyzed. Usually, investigations on myxozoans in fish are carried out with the search for plasmodia or cysts in the fish organs and observation of the cavity of organs. Nevertheless, this study highlights the importance of also examining the blood of these animals, since these parasites can cause severe pathogenic diseases in fish. Thus, the blood analyses can proportionate preventive sanitary control for commercial fish avoiding economic loss.

Massive Infection of Lungs with Exo-Erythrocytic Meronts in European Robin Erithacus rubecula during Natural Haemoproteus attenuatus Haemoproteosis

Haemoproteus species are widespread avian blood parasites belonging to Haemoproteidae (Haemosporida). Blood stages of these pathogens have been relatively well-investigated, though exo-erythrocytic (tissue) stages remain unidentified for the majority of species. However, recent histopathological studies show that haemoproteins markedly affect bird organs during tissue merogony. This study investigated the exo-erythrocytic development of Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) attenuatus (lineage hROBIN1), the common parasite of flycatchers (Muscicapidae). Naturally infected European robins Erithacus rubecula were examined. Parasite species and lineage were identified using microscopic examination of blood stages and DNA sequence analysis. Parasitaemia intensity varied between 0.8 and 26.5% in seven host individuals. Organs of infected birds were collected and processed for histological examination. Tissues stages (meronts) were seen in six birds and were present only in the lungs. The parasites were usually located in groups and were at different stages of maturation, indicating asynchronous exo-erythrocytic development. In most parasitized individuals, 100 meronts were observed in 1 cm2 section of lungs. The largest meronts reached 108 µm in length. Mature meronts contained numerous roundish merozoites of approximately 0.8 µm in diameter. Megalomeronts were not observed. Massive merogony and resulting damage of lungs is a characteristic feature during H. attenuatus infections and might occur in related parasite lineages, causing haemoproteosis.

Prevalence of Lice Parasite, Menopon Gallinae, in Local Chickens in Samarra

The present study aimed to determine the ectoparasite infection in domestic chickens. Where it was possible to obtain (80) sample of chickens from both sexes from the fields and local markets to determine the widespread external parasites. Where the study indicated the diagnosis of a common parasite, Menopon gallinae, with an infection rate of 43.75%. The study also recorded the highest rate of infection during the month of November, at 70%, while the lowest rate was in December, 28%. The study also showed changes in the rate of infection according to sex, as the highest rate of infection was recorded in females, reaching 50%, while the rate of infection in males was 33.33%. When studying the presence of infection according to the location of the birds and their livelihood, it was found that the highest rate of infection of the examined chickens was in the local chickens taken from the local markets by 62.5%, while the lowest rate of infection was recorded in the chickens that live in the fields by 31.25%.

Gastrointestinal parasites of three peri-domestic animals in selected areas in Accra, Ghana

Background The rapidly increasing rodent and lizard populations in human dwellings and markets could be attributed to the destruction of their natural habitats due to rapid urbanization and poor management of urban wastes that attracts these animals. The public health concern is the potential for these animals to influence the transmission of zoonotic diseases, including helminths. In this study, the occurrence of helminth parasites in the gastrointestinal tract of rodents and lizards was determined. Results Of the 34 rodents, 61.8% (21/34) were observed to be infected with one (1) or more of Toxascaris sp., Isospora sp., Hymenolepis sp., Trichuris sp., Ascaris sp., or Taenia sp. Out of these, 17.6% (6/34) had single parasite infections, while 44.1% (15/34) had multiple infections of Enterobius sp., Ascaris sp., and hookworm in various combinations. Of all the Agama lizards, 54.2% (26/48) had single parasite infections compared to 18.8%, which had multiple infections. The most common parasite infection in the Agama lizards was Enterobius sp. with a mean of 7.0 ova per lizard, followed by Ascaris sp., (mean ova = 2.7) and hookworm (mean ova = 0.3) at the Legon Campus. Similarly, for Adumanya, mean ova counts were 3.9, 0.4, and 0.8, respectively, for the three helminths detected. The common parasite found in both rodents and the Agama lizards was Ascaris sp. with adults having higher burdens compared to the juveniles. Conclusions This study identified helminth parasites, which share the same genus as those observed to infect humans. Since these animals are ubiquitous in human dwellings and markets in Ghana, there could be a potential risk of transmission of these helminths and other disease-causing agents. We are, however, uncertain whether these agents can survive in the human digestive system to cause disease.

Fatal Hymenolepis nana cestodiasis in a ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

The cestode Hymenolepis nana is a common parasite of humans and mice. Fecal shedding in the absence of clinical disease has previously been reported in ring-tailed lemurs ( Lemur catta). This report describes fatal, disseminated H. nana cestodiasis infection in an aged ring-tailed lemur in a zoological collection. The parasites were associated with severe multifocal to coalescing and regionally extensive pyogranulomatous hepatitis and moderate multifocal pneumonia. The morphology of the parasites was highly unusual. Profiles were variably sized, ellipsoid to irregularly serpiginous, lined by a thin tegument, and filled with lightly eosinophilic fibrillar stroma and numerous, round basophilic cells. Polymerase chain reaction targeting a portion of the 18S rRNA gene and DNA sequencing of the amplicon showed 100% homology with H. nana.

Endohelminth fauna of teleost fishes from coasts of Şile region of the Black sea

Summary A total of 508 fish specimens belonging to 19 species collected in the coast of Şile region of the Black sea were examined to detect the presence of endohelminths. Of this, 357 (70.27%) were found to be infected with parasites. 15 distinct helminths species were recovered including four species of nematodes, seven digenean species, one species of cestodes and three species of acanthocephalans. It was also determined that the species of nematode Hysterothylacium aduncum was the most common parasite and the most diverse endohelminth fauna was found in Gobius niger and Solea vulgaris, with five species. Furthermore, it should be noted that Capillaria gracilis is reported for the first time from the Turkish coasts. The infection rates, hosts, and parasites are listed in this paper.

First case of Phthirus pubis and Demodex co-infestation of the eyelids: a case report

Background Phthirus pubis is an obligate parasite of human beings. Demodex spp. is a much more common parasite of human beings. However, P. pubis infestation accompanied by Demodex mite infestation in eye has not been reported. Case presentation We report the first case of Phthirus pubis and Demodex co-infestation on a 48-years-old woman. She presented to the hospital with itching and burning at her right eye for 2 weeks. Slit lamp examination revealed multiple nits and adults of P. pubis anchored to both upper and lower eyelashes. Eyelashes were trimmed, moxifloxacin eye ointment and fluorometholone eye drops were initiated daily. However, itching didn’t improve after 2 weeks of treatment. Light microscopy examination of eyelashes revealed infestation with Demodex. The patient was treated with lid scrubs with 25% tea tree oil daily for 4 weeks and was completely cured. Conclusion Our report shows the importance of an early and comprehensive diagnosis, because both phthiriasis palpebrarum and demodicosis can be confused with blepharitis.

Prevalence of intestinal parasite among patients attending two hospitals in French Guiana: A 6-year retrospective study

Introduction Intestinal parasitic diseases are a global health problem. Due to its equatorial climate, vast territory with isolated areas and the precariousness of its population, intestinal parasitosis is considered to be a major issue in French Guiana but only few data are available and these mainly focus on specific population. We aimed at determining the parasitic index and at describing the characteristics of these infections in order to develop preventive strategies. Material and methods We retrospectively analysed all the parasitological samples recorded in the register of the two main laboratories of French Guiana between 2011 and 2016. The parasitic index was the percentage of parasitised patients in comparison with the total number of subjects studied. A patient who underwent several positive parasitological examinations was considered only once in the analysis at the time of the first sampling. Results A total of 15,220 parasitological samples of 9,555 patients were analysed and 2,916 were positive in 1,521 patients. The average infestation rate and parasitic index were 19.2% and 16.0%, respectively. The parasitic index remained stable between 2011 (18.2%) and 2016 (18.3%). The patients were mainly men (66.4%), with a median age of 33.0 years (26.3% of patients were under 18 years of age) and lived mainly in the Central Agglomeration (48.2%) and in West Guiana (37.4%). Hookworms were the most common parasite (25.2%) followed by Entamoeba coli (13.3%), Strongyloides stercoralis (10.9%) and Giardia intestinalis (10.8%). Among the infected patients, 31.0% presented mixed infections and 67.5% of them had at least one pathogenic parasite. The patients aged from 0 to 18 years presented significantly more polyparasitism (30.9%) than monoparasitism (24.3%, p<0.001). Ancylostoma sp and Strongyloides stercoralis were mainly diagnosed during the rainy season (59.5% and 64.7% respectively), in men (78.6% and 81.1% respectively) and in patients aged from 18 to 65 years (86.6% and 76.6% respectively) whereas, Giardia intestinalis infected mostly children under 5 years (59.5%) of age. Conclusion Although it may not be representative of the entire Guyanese population, the parasitic index remained high and stable from 2011 and 2016 and it justifies the need for an active prevention program as it was already done in the other French overseas departments such as Martinique and Guadeloupe.

Small bowel intussusception and Enterobius vermicularis infestation in a 20-year-old woman

A 20-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain and MRI findings of intussusception of the distal small bowel with no identifiable lead point and no visualisation of the appendix. A diagnostic laparoscopy succeeded in manually reducing the intussusception but was unable to find any candidate lead point. Intraoperatively, hyperperistalsis was observed throughout the small bowel which seemed prone to transient intussusception. Incidental appendectomy revealed an uninflamed appendix with Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infestation, the most common parasite present in appendectomy specimens worldwide. Although intussusception in young adults is an uncommon occurrence, the unique nature of this case is amplified by the concurrent finding of E. vermicularis infection of the appendix in an adolescent in western Canada, a phenomenon normally observed in paediatric populations with higher incidence in tropical areas. Although the mechanism of intussusception in this patient remains unclear, it is hypothesised that E. vermicularis colonisation acted as an irritant stimulating intestinal hypercontractility with resulting intussusception. Successful medical eradication of the pinworm in this individual may prevent future recurrence.