Attraction of the land snail Anguispira alternata to fresh faeces of white-tailed deer: implications in the transmission of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 358-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M Garvon ◽  
Jacqueline Bird
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Land Snail ◽  
Laboratory Setting ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Laboratory Design ◽  
Parelaphostrongylus Tenuis ◽  
Important Intermediate ◽  
Anguispira Alternata ◽  
Surrounding Soil

Terrestrial gastropods serving as intermediate hosts of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (Dougherty, 1945) are infected either by crawling over infected faeces or by contact with larvae washed off faecal pellets onto surrounding soil. Some studies have concluded that gastropods avoid faeces; therefore, transmission must occur from soil. During two trials, Anguispira alternata (Say, 1816) were offered a choice of two types of larva-free (U) white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) faeces (trial 1) and a choice of larva-containing (L) or larva-free (U) WTD faeces (trial 2) in a laboratory setting. The snails were observed in proximity to U faeces 2.5 times more than expected in trial 1. They were found on faeces 3.4 times more than expected in trial 2, but showed a preference for U faeces, frequenting U faeces 3.1 times more than expected, while frequenting L faeces 1.7 times more than expected. In addition, we feel that this laboratory design could be a useful tool for further investigation of the epizootiology of P. tenuis in important intermediate host species.

Terrestrial gastropods from the Himsworth Game Preserve, Ontario, and their significance in Parelaphostrongylus tenuis transmission

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 688-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Kearney ◽  
Frederick F. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Betula Papyrifera ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Terrestrial Gastropods ◽  
The Third ◽  
Open Habitat ◽  
Third Stage ◽  
Parelaphostrongylus Tenuis ◽  
Collection Period

Terrestrial gastropods were collected within the 1220-ha Himsworth Game Preserve in central Ontario during 1974 to determine their abundance and habitat preference. Collections from systematically arranged plots occurred 23 May to 4 June, 6 July to 14 July, and 26 August to 5 September. In all 16 498 gastropods were collected; 4351, in the first, 5622 in the second, and 6525 in the third collection period. Sixteen species were represented with Discus cronkhitei and Zonitoides arboreus accounting for 69.3% of the specimens. Deroceras laeve and Pallifera dorsalis were the most common slugs. Gastropods (excluding slugs) showed a significant preference for mixed forest and a significant aversion to open habitat types during all collection periods. Slugs were significantly less abundant in mixed forest and more abundant in open habitat types during the third collection period.Eight of the 16 species collected (80.1% of the specimens) have previously been identified as intermediate hosts of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis. However, only 19 third-stage larvae of P. tenuis were obtained from the 16450 gastropods digested in pepsin. It is proposed that Zonitoides arboreus in association with Betula papyrifera may be important components in the transmission of P. tenuis to cervids on the Himsworth Game Preserve.

scholarly journals Do parasites adopt different strategies in different intermediate hosts? Host size, not host species, influences Coitocaecum parvum (Trematoda) life history strategy, size and egg production

Parasitology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. RUIZ DANIELS ◽  
S. BELTRAN ◽  
R. POULIN ◽  
C. LAGRUE
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Life History Strategy ◽  
Host Size ◽  
Life Strategy ◽  
Amphipod Species ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Resource Limitations ◽  
Coitocaecum Parvum

SUMMARYHost exploitation induces host defence responses and competition between parasites, resulting in individual parasites facing highly variable environments. Alternative life strategies may thus be expressed in context-dependent ways, depending on which host species is used and intra-host competition between parasites. Coitocaecum parvum (Trematode) can use facultative progenesis in amphipod intermediate hosts, Paracalliope fluviatilis, to abbreviate its life cycle in response to such environmental factors. Coitocaecum parvum also uses another amphipod host, Paracorophium excavatum, a species widely different in size and ecology from P. fluviatilis. In this study, parasite infection levels and strategies in the two amphipod species were compared to determine whether the adoption of progenesis by C. parvum varied between these two hosts. Potential differences in size and/or egg production between C. parvum individuals according to amphipod host species were also investigated. Results show that C. parvum life strategy was not influenced by host species. In contrast, host size significantly affected C. parvum strategy, size and egg production. Since intra-host interactions between co-infecting parasites also influenced C. parvum strategy, size and fecundity, it is highly likely that within-host resource limitations affect C. parvum life strategy and overall fitness regardless of host species.

The influence of second intermediate host species on the infectivity of metacercarial cysts of Echinoparyphium recurvatum

1999 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 143-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. McCarthy
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Rana Temporaria ◽  
Biomphalaria Glabrata ◽  
Reproductive Status ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Potential Influence ◽  
Second Intermediate Host

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.

Observations on the suitability and importance of the domestic intermediate hosts of Echinococcus granulosus in Uttah Pradesh, India

1989 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Irshadullah ◽  
W. A. Nizami ◽  
C. N. L. Macpherson
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Intermediate Host ◽  
Echinococcus Granulosus ◽  
Frequency Distribution ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
The Other ◽  
Hydatid Cysts ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Cyst Size

ABSTRACTThe present study investigated the suitability and importance of buffaloes, camels, sheep, goats and pigs in maintaining the life-cycle of Echinococcus granulosus in Aligarh, India. A total of 565 (36%) of 1556 buffaloes, 20 (2%) of 1208 goats, 5 (1%) of 559 pigs, 6 (6%) of 109 sheep and two of three camels were found to harbour hydatid cysts. The frequency distribution of the hydatid cysts in each intermediate host species was over-dispersed and in buffaloes cyst fertility increased with increasing cyst size. Of 2171, 95 and four buffalo, goat, and camel cysts examined 327 (15%), two (2%) and three cysts respectively were fertile. No pig or sheep cysts were found to contain protoscoleces. The unfenced buffalo abattoir and the large number of dogs allowed access to the abattoir coupled to the number of buffaloes slaughtered in comparison to the other potential hosts, indicates that the buffalo is the most significant host for maintaining the life-cycle of the parasite in this area of India. Applicable control measures for the region are suggested.

scholarly journals Molecular Characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato from Humans in Slovenia

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 562
Author(s):  
Barbara Šoba ◽  
Špela Gašperšič ◽  
Darja Keše ◽  
Tadeja Kotar
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Echinococcus Granulosus ◽  
Nadh Dehydrogenase ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Nadh Dehydrogenase Subunit ◽  
Important Intermediate ◽  
Echinococcus Granulosus Sensu Lato

The larval form of tapeworms of the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato species cluster cause an important zoonotic infection, cystic echinococcosis (CE). Molecular characterization of the cluster’s isolates from different hosts greatly contributes to a better understanding of its transmission dynamics. To date, no genetic information is available on CE in Slovenia. In this work, we characterized isolates from human CE cases. Parasite samples from 18 patients were collected, together with the patients’ demographic and clinical data. Genomic DNA was analyzed by conventional PCR and sequencing at four mitochondrial loci (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, cox1; NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1, nad1; NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5, nad5; and small ribosomal RNA, rrnS). Thirteen isolates were successfully amplified and sequenced. Seven (58.8%) patients were infected with E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) G1, five (38.5%) with E. canadensis G7 and one (7.7%) with E. granulosus s.s. G3. Echinococcus canadensis G7, the pig genotype, was identified exclusively in autochthonous Slovenes, while the patients originating from the Western Balkans were all infected with E. granulosus s.s. Our findings suggest that pigs are important intermediate hosts for human CE in Slovenia.

Gastric Nematode Communities in Lizards From the Great Victoria Desert, and an Hypothesis for Their Evolution

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
HI Jones
Keyword(s):  
Host Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Nematode Species ◽  
Geographical Range ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Epidemiological Evidence ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Evolutionary Phase ◽  
Paratenic Hosts

This study examines the biology of gastric nematodes in two communities of lizards from the Great Victoria Desert, and develops an hypothesis for their evolution. Abbreviata antarctica A. hastaspicula, A, levicauda, A. tumidocapitis, Skrjabinoptera goldmanae, Kreisiella chrysocampa, Physalopteroides filicauda, Wanaristrongylus ctenoti and W. papangawurpae were recovered from 3023 lizards of 45 species from two different habitats. Genera in the Physalopterinae (Abbreviata, Skrjabinoptera and Kreisiella) exhibited narrow host specificities, Abbreviara and Skrjabinoptera occurring as adults only in larger host species (Varanus gouldii, V. tristis and Pogona minor). P. filicauda and encysted larvae of Physalopterinae occurred widely in the smaller lizard species in all five families represented. Eight of the nine nematode species were recovered from both lizard populations, and differences in prevalence and number of host species infected are discussed in terms of core hosts providing an infective pool. Associations were derived between parameters of infection (prevalence, intensity and abundance) and host size across and within species; abundance of nematodes in Ctenotus skinks correlated with host geographical range. Epidemiological evidence is presented that suggests that termites are intermediate hosts to species of Physalopterinae, and that Orthoptera may be intermediate hosts to P.filicauda. It is suggested that species in the Physalopterinae arose in smaller lizards (where they are now represented by the morphologically primitive Kreisiella), and that they were acquired by large predatory species by host capture, and in which they are now speciating. The small lizards now act as paratenic hosts to their larvae, and the niches left vacant have been occupied by P. filicauda. It is concluded that P.filicauda is at an early non-interactive phase and that Abbreviata and Skrjabinoptera are at an evolutionary phase, and are evolving along with their hosts. Thus, the two principal nematode groups arose at different times in response to the radiation and ecology of their hosts, and are at different stages in their own evolution.

Euphausiids as intermediate hosts of Anisakis simplex in the St. Lawrence estuary

1998 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 1226-1235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Réjean Hays ◽  
Lena N Measures ◽  
Jean Huot
Keyword(s):  
Anisakis Simplex ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Lawrence Estuary ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
The Third ◽  
Third Stage ◽  
Important Intermediate ◽  
Meganyctiphanes Norvegica ◽  
Saguenay River ◽  
St Lawrence Estuary

To determine abundance of larval Anisakis simplex in euphausiids of the St. Lawrence estuary, Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Thysanoessa raschii were collected at seven sites from the mouth of the Saguenay River to Baie des Outardes. Larvae were removed from euphausiids by means of a modified Baermann apparatus filled with a pepsin-HCl digest solution. Abundances of larvae in euphausiids ranged from 0 to 58.2 × 10-5. Larvae (N = 100) were in the third stage (bearing one cuticle) or moulting from the second stage to the third stage (bearing two cuticles). Euphausiids, particularly T. raschii, which represented 98% of the total euphausiids sampled, are important intermediate hosts of A. simplex in the St. Lawrence estuary. These data indicate the importance of the St. Lawrence estuary as an enzootic zone for A. simplex and thus a valuable area to study the biology and the transmission of this parasite.

The prevalence, intensity and viability of hydatid cysts in slaughtered animals in the Ardabil province of Northwest Iran

2007 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Daryani ◽  
R. Alaei ◽  
R. Arab ◽  
M. Sharif ◽  
M.H. Dehghan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Echinococcus Granulosus ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Hydatid Cysts ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Important Intermediate ◽  
Northwest Iran

AbstractIn a cross-sectional study, a total of 5381 slaughtered animals, namely 928 cattle, 243 buffaloes, 3765 sheep and 445 goats were inspected macroscopically for hydatid cysts in northwest Iran, with prevalence values of 38.3%, 11.9%, 74.4% and 20%, respectively, being recorded. Prevalences were higher in females compared with males, but a significant difference (P < 0.001) was only found in sheep and cattle. Most cases which were condemned were seen in the lungs of sheep (13.4%) indicating that sheep are the most important intermediate hosts for Echinococcus granulosus in this area.

scholarly journals Spirometra(Pseudophyllidea, Diphyllobothriidae) Severely Infecting Wild-Caught Snakes from Food Markets in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, Guangdong, China: Implications for Public Health

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fumin Wang ◽  
Weiye Li ◽  
Liushuai Hua ◽  
Shiping Gong ◽  
Jiajie Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Food Habit ◽  
Cooking Methods ◽  
Muscular Tissue ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
Food Markets ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Important Intermediate ◽  
Human Sparganosis

Sparganosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the spargana ofSpirometra, and snake is one of the important intermediate hosts of spargana. In some areas of China, snake is regarded as popular delicious food, and such a food habit potentially increases the prevalence of human sparganosis. To understand the prevalence ofSpirometrain snakes in food markets, we conducted a study in two representative cities (Guangzhou and Shenzhen), during January–August 2013. A total of 456 snakes of 13 species were examined and 251 individuals of 10 species were infected bySpirometra, accounting for 55.0% of the total samples. The worm burden per infected snake ranged from 1 to 213, and the prevalence in the 13 species was 0∼96.2%. More than half (58.1%) of the spargana were located in muscular tissue, 25.6% in subcutaneous tissue, and 16.3% in coelomic cavity. The results indicated thatSpirometraseverely infected snakes in food markets in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, implying that eating snakes has great health risk and improper cooking methods may increase the risk ofSpirometrainfection in humans in China. Additional steps should be considered by the governments and public health agencies to prevent the risk of snake-associatedSpirometrainfections in humans.

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