Differentiation of epimastigotes and production of infective metacyclic forms of Trypanosoma congolense were examined in a culture system which enabled manipulation of the population density of insect forms. Scanning electron microscopy of cultures revealed the attachment sites of epimastigotes in detail, showing them to be attached as ‘clusters’ or ‘bundles’ and having associated fibrillar structures. Dividing epimastigotes were observed either within individual bundles or in association with two bundles. Metacyclic forms were detected by an immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) using metacyclic variable-antigen type (M-VAT) specific monoclonal antibodies, by day 7 after seeding cultures. Trypanosomes expressing M-VATs appeared singly in bundles, observed by both IFAT and an immunogold labelling method. Statistical analysis using Poisson calculations suggested that, in general, the distribution of metacyclics expressing individual M-VATs was random throughout cultures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) in red blood cells of rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi and establish its association with haematocrit, serum levels of iron and zinc and lipid peroxidation. Thirty-six male rats (Wistar) were divided into 2 groups with 18 animals each. Group A was non-infected while Group B was intraperitoneally infected, receiving 7·5×106 trypomastigotes per animal. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups of 6 rats and blood was collected during different periods post-infection (p.i.) as follows: day 5 (A1 and B1), day 15 (A2 and B2) and day 30 PI (A3 and B3). Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture to estimate red blood cell parameters (RBC), δ-ALA-D activity and serum levels of iron, zinc and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Rats in group B showed a significant (P<0·05) reduction of RBC count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit at days 5 and 15 p.i. The activity of δ-ALA-D in blood was significantly (P<0·001) increased at days 15 and 30 p.i. δ-ALA-D activity in blood had a significant (P<0·05) negative correlation with haematocrit (r=−0·61) and haemoglobin (r=−0·70) at day 15 p.i. There was a significant (P<0·05) decrease in serum iron and zinc levels and an increase in TBARS levels (P<0·05) during infection. The δ-ALA-D activity in blood was negatively correlated with the levels of iron (r=−0·68) and zinc (r=−0·57) on day 30 p.i. It was concluded that the increased activity of δ-ALA-D in blood might have occurred in response to the anaemia in remission as heme synthesis was enhanced.

In the vicinity of Grand Isle, Louisiana, Menticirrhus americanus, a marine fish of the surmullet family, carries in the intestine an acanthocephalan which has been previously undescribed. The attention of the writers was first called to this species by collections made available by Mr J. E. Tobie. Additional specimens were later secured from Dr H. J. Bennett. This new species is clearly a representative of the family Rhadinorhynchidae but in it are embodied peculiarities and combinations of characters which preclude its inclusion in any previously recognized genus. Hence a new genus is herein proposed and the species is described as Illiosentis furcatus.

Neoascaris mackerrasae from the small intestine of the Australian allied rat (Rattus assimilis) is described. It is compared with Neoascaris vitulorum and found to differ as follows:

(1) It is a considerably smaller species.

(2) The vulva is situated more posteriorly.

(3) The nucleus of the dorsal oesophageal gland is oval and situated in the dorsal sector of the ventriculus, whereas in N. vitulorum it is elongate and is situated in the sub ventral sectors.

(4) The eggs are more coarsely pitted.

(5) The spicules have two flanges which form a gutter on the ventral surface, whereas in N. vitulorum they are almost cylindrical.

The genus Neoascaris is redefined so as to include the presence of rudimentary cervical alae and the unequal distribution of the oesophageal glands. The genus is placed in the family Toxocaridae Hartwich, 1954.

Other ascaridoid parasites occurring in rodents are listed and differentiated from N. mackerrasae. It is suggested that on account of the arrangement in the ventriculus of the nuclei of the oesophageal glands, N. mackerrasae may represent a primitive species among the ascaridoid parasites of mammals.

In order to identify antigens associated with protection and those associated with active infection, the humoral immune response of 6 Mandrillus sphinx immunized with 150 irradiated L3 and challenged with 100 normal L3 of Loa loa or 6 animals infected with 100 L3 were compared. The plasma of these animals was analysed by Western blot using adult, Mf and L3 antigens. Several antigens with molecular weights varying from 120 kDa to 13 kDa were recognized by the plasma of all animals. It was shown that early recognition of microfilarial antigens with molecular weights of 97, 68, 45 and 33 kDa correlated with the amicrofilaraemic state. A total of 83% of animals with circulating microfilariae had antibodies against the microfilariae 21 kDa antigen. Furthermore, the antibodies against the 21 kDa appeared 1 month before detection of microfilariae in the peripheral blood of 80% of these animals, and declined when animals became amicrofilaraemic. In contrast, when L3 antigen was used, a molecule with a relative molecular weight of 20 kDa was recognized by antibodies of the only animal which remained amicrofilaraemic for 1 year after immunization with irradiated L3. These results suggest that the microfilarial molecule of 21 kDa may be useful as a marker of Loa loa patent infection, whereas the 97, 68, 45 and 33 kDa molecules of microfilariae and the L3 molecule of 20 kDa may be associated with resistance against Loa loa.

The cuticle of adult forms of Strongyloides venezuelensis was studied by routine transmission electron microscopy, conventional freeze-fracture and also using quick-freeze and deep-etch techniques. In routine thin sections the cuticle of S. venezuelensis comprises 7 layers: epicuticle, outer cortical, inner corticcal, external medial, internal medial, fibrous and basal. Observation of replicas of specimens fractured across the thickness of the body wall, revealed at the epicuticle an ordered array of particles accompanying the cuticular annulations. At the level of the cortical and medial layers we observed few scattered particles embedded in an amorphous matrix without a particular arrangement. The fibrous layer was represented by several parallel lines of ordered particles of similar size. In tangentially fractured specimens, the epicuticle cleaves readily exposing 2 faces, one exhibiting intramembranous particles without any particular arrangement, immersed in a smooth matrix (P face), and the other showing depressions and very few particles (E face). In replicas of fractures submitted to etching, we observed at the level of the cortical, medial fibrous and basal layers an interconnecting fibrous and globous structure which was organized in a different direction at the fibrous layer. The association of freeze-fracture to deep-etch technique revealed the internal structural organization of the cuticle layers showing details that were not seen before using conventional freeze–fracture technique.

Definitive diagnosis of strongyloidiasis in humans is typically achieved by detection of larvae in fecal samples. However, limitations on sensitivity of parasitological methods emphasize the need for more robust diagnostic methods. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of three methods: eggs per gram of feces (EPG), coproantigen detection by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and DNA detection by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The assays were performed at 0 and 5, 8, 13, 21 and 39 days post-infection (dpi) using fecal samples from experimentally infected immunocompetent and immunosuppressed rats. In immunocompetent rats, eggs were detected in feces on days 5, 8 and 13 dpi; coproantigen detection and PCR amplification were successful at all post-infection time points (5, 8, 13, 21 and 39 dpi). In immunosuppressed rats, eggs were detected at 5, 8, 13 and 21; coproantigen detection and PCR amplification were successful at all post-infection time points. In conclusion, these results suggest that coproantigen detection and PCR may be more sensitive alternatives to traditional methods such as EPG for diagnosis of Strongyloides venezuelensis infection.

In the present paper I have pleasure in describing three new species of mites of the genus Myobia, three new species of Listrophoroides, a new species of Listrophorus, and a new genus of Laelaptinae. Also there is the description of the female of Stanley Hirst's species Listrophorus bothae.

The mature thread-like spermatozoon of Paragonimus ohirai was shown to be composed of 7 distinct segments which have morphologically different characteristics, following staining with silver nitrate. The first segment (1S) is a needle-shaped structure with a perforatorium. The 2S is composed of two filaments loosely paired; 3S consists of a somewhat coarse thread (vestige of the cytoplasmic projection); 4S is composed of two flagella tightly paired; in 5S, two silver-positive filaments are independently seen as in 2S; 6S has a ‘spiral’ structure composed of two flagella; in 7S, two filaments are seen dissociated from each other. The sperm nucleus exists within the ‘spiral’ structure of 6S and this structure may serve to hold and/or protect the nucleus. The technique presented here is useful for gross morphological observations of the long sperm of flatworms.

This study investigated comparatively the pathogenicity of experimental infection of mice and guinea pigs, with Angiostrongylus mackerrasae and the closely related species A. cantonensis. Time course analyses showed that A. mackerrasae causes eosinophilic meningitis in these hosts, which suggests that the species has the potential to cause meningitis in humans and domestic animals. Both A. mackerrasae and the genetically similar A. cantonensis caused eosinophilic meningitis in mice at two time points of 14 and 21 days post infection (dpi). The brain lesions in mice infected with A. mackerrasae were more granulomatous in nature and the parasites were more likely to appear degenerate compared with lesions caused by A. cantonensis. This may indicate that the mouse immune system eliminates A. mackerrasae infection more effectively. The immunologic responses of mice infected with the two Angiostrongylus species was compared by assessing ex vivo stimulated spleen derived T cells and cytokines including interferon-gamma, interleukin 4 and interleukin 17 on 14 and 21 dpi. The results were similar for mice infected with A. cantonensis and A. mackerrasae. Serum from the infected animals with either A. cantonensis or A. mackerrasae recognized total soluble antigen of A. cantonensis female worms on Western blot.

A procedure is described for the preparation of purified nuclei of chick intestinal cells infected with Eimeria necatrix. During second-generation schizogony the host-cell membrane becomes resistant to homogenization, hypotonic shock and ultrasonication. However, brief treatment with a low concentration of trypsin (0·001 ) will disrupt the cell membrane. Thereafter, the nuclei can be selectively harvested from contaminating nuclear types and schizonts by a series of centrifugations. Electron microscopy and Feulgen—DNA microspectrophotometry showed that the nuclear preparations retained their integrity with little, if any, loss of DNA. Chemical determinations confirmed that host-cell nuclear DNA synthesis was stimulated by conccidial infection and further established that quantitatively there was a coincident increase in the amount of host nuclear RNA during schizogony. It is now feasible to examine directly the effects of coccidial infection upon the host's nuclear apparatus.

Most of our knowledge about the process of penetration of skin, by cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni, has been gained from studies carried out in vivo with laboratory animals. Human skin is significantly different from that of other animals but there are obvious practical difficulties in directly studying attachment and penetration with human skin. Techniques have been developed which enable a 3-dimensional ‘skin equivalent’ to be grown in tissue culture, made from different types of human skin cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate cercarial interactions with confluent cultures of the individual skin cell types that make up normal human skin and which will be used to construct a multi-component model. Cercariae behaved differently towards the various cell types tested. They responded least to monolayers of endothelial cells and most to primary keratinocytes, derived from human foreskin and differentiated at an air/liquid interface. This study demonstrates, therefore, that cercariae are capable of distinguishing between different types of skin cells and they preferentially attach to differentiated cells which form the epidermis.

It has been shown that in common with other malarial species the drug response in the sporogonous cycle of Plasmodium cynomolgi parallels in a special way the drug response in the schizogonous cycle. Thus, prophylactic drugs produce deteriorating changes in the oocysts while curative drugs have a destructive effect on the sporozoites. A comparison of the effects of prophylactic drugs on the sporogonous and schizogonous cycles of the four malarial species studied thus far suggests the presence of more than one pre-erythrocytic developmental stage in the schizogonous cycles of P. vivax and P. cynomolgi following the initial invasion by the sporozoite.

This peculiar larval form of cestode, parasitic in man, was first discovered in a Japanese woman (Case I) on 9. vii. 1904, and described by Prof. Ijima in 1905. Subsequently it was found in an American by Dr H. Gates, of Manatee, Florida, in June, 1907, and described by Dr Charles Stiles, who had received Gates' specimens for identification on 25. v. 1908. In the same year in which Gates' case was recorded, we observed a second case (Case II) in Japan. In this case an enormous number of worms were present and they were generally larger than those from the former Japanese and American cases. Recently a patient suffering from the same form of cestode larva (Case III) was found in the Dermatological Institute of the Imperial University of Kyoto.

Clun Forest sheep, aged between 3 and 18 months and worm-free from birth, were given a single dose of 25000 infective larvae of the nematode Haemonchus contortus. The host animals were killed between 4 and 100 days after infection and the nematode populations were examined to determine size and composition. The relation between worm body length, dry weight and age was studied and growth curves were constructed. Variations in the sex ratio for infections of different ages were noted. No evidence was found for a relation between rate of growth and population density. The rate of expulsion was determined and its variability discussed.

The Renicolidae are digenean parasites of piscivorous and molluscivorous birds. Although they exhibit few morphological autapomorphies and are highly variable, the numerous suggested re-classifications within the family have never been supported by any molecular analyses. We address the possible synonymization of species within the Renicola pinguis complex suggested previously by Odening. We provide and analyse sequences of two nuclear (ITS2, 28S rDNA) and two mitochondrial (CO1, ND1) DNA loci of central European species of the Renicolidae, namely Renicola lari, Renicola pinguis and Renicola sternae sp. n., and we also provide first sequences of Renicola sloanei. The combined molecular and comparative morphological analysis confirms the previously questioned validity of the three Renicola spp. of highly similar morphology, which display strict niche separation in terms of host specificity and selectivity. We identify two previously unreported clades within the genus Renicola; however, only one of them is supported by the analysis of adult worms. We also provide comparative measurements of the three examined closely related central European renicolids, and describe the newly proposed tern-specialized species Renicola sternae sp. n., which was previously repeatedly misidentified as Renicola paraquinta. Based on the extensive dataset collected in 1962–2015, we update the host spectrum of Renicolidae parasitizing central European birds (Renicola bretensis, R. lari, Renicola mediovitellata, R. pinguis, Renicola secunda and R. sternae sp. n.) and discuss their host-specific prevalence and intensity of infections.

Until the appearance of Neumann's paper “ Sur l'Ascaride des Bêtes Bovines ” (1883), Ascaris vitulorum was not generally accepted as a valid species, the form from cattle being referred by different authorities either to Ascaris lumbricoides or A. megalocephala. Neumann's study of this worm showed, however, that the species differs in many important anatomical characters from the common Ascarids of the pig and the horse and since the publication of his memoir the specific identity of A. vitulorum has not been disputed.

The class-specific antibody responses of 3 strains of mice (C57/Bl10, BALB/C and CBA/N) known to vary in their ability to control the microfilaraemia which follows the subcutaneous transplantation of adult female Dipetalonema viteae has been investigated. The 3 mouse strains showed significant variation (a) in total levels of immunoglobulins and (b) in ability to recognize individual radio-isotope-labelled antigens as measured by coprecipitation. Within each mouse strain it was noted that antigens could vary with respect to the nature of the isotype of the antibody response which they elicited. Furthermore, by comparing results obtained from class-specific coprecipitation with surface ELISA it was found that a similar variation between responses to individual epitopes was also likely. No differences were observed in the humoral response of the 3 mouse strains which could explain the known resistance of the C57/B110 strain; reasons for this are discussed.

C57BL6 mice were protected against Plasmodium berghei sporozoite challenge by immunization with live 12 krad dose-irradiated sporozoites, but not by 20 krad dose-irradiated sporozoites. Immunization with 12 krad irradiated sporozoites generated low levels of antibody reactive to liver-stage parasites (titres of 1/100). Inoculation of as few as 100 live P. berghei sporozoites induced complete host protection accompanied by a very quick and high boost of antibody titres up to 1/4000. This sporozoite challenge-drive antibody boost was absent in mice immunized by 20 krad sporozoites and in non-protected, and non-immunized mice. Antibody was mainly liver-stage (LS) specific and due to an increase of IgG2a and IgG2b. The in vitro effect of pre- and post-challenge sera upon either sporozoite invasion or LS development was assessed in Hep-G2 cultures. Both were found to have a strong effect upon LS development even at 1/2500 dilution, and conversely a low effect upon invasion. These results suggest that sporozoites irradiated at doses that induce protection are able to prime T-cells which, upon challenge by non-irradiated sporozoites, provide help to B-lymphocytes to trigger the production of high titres of anti-LS antibodies that can inhibit LS development in vitro.

In a recent number of Parastilogy (1916) an account was given of the species of Triodontophorus and Oesophagodontus found in the alimentary tract of horses in the neighbourhood of Birmingham, more particularly in the Redditch district of Worcestershire. In company with the worms of these two genera were several species of Cylichnostomum, occurring in some of the hosts in considerable numbers both in the colon and caecum.