In this paper three new species of the genus Allocreadium Looss, 1900, viz. A. dollfusi sp.nov., A. singhi sp.nov. and A. hirnai sp.nov. are described. These parasites were obtained from the intestine of the fish Barbus tor (Ham.) brought from the River Hiran. A number of specimens of this species of fish were several times examined for helminth parasites at Katangi, 24 miles from Jabalpur and at Sihora, 25 miles from Jabalpur. These parasites were recovered from different individuals of the fish B. tor (Ham.).

An indirect immunocytochemical technique combined with confocal scanning laser microscopy has been used to demonstrate immunoreactivities to the nonapeptide, RPPGFSPFR (bradykinin, BK) and the endogenous flatworm regulatory peptide, GYIRFamide in the nervous system of the monogenean, Diclidophora merlangi. In addition, a simultaneous double-labelling technique was employed to examine possible co-localization of GYIRFamide- and neuropeptide F (NPF) immunoreactivities, using antisera to the C-terminal nonapeptide-amide of NPF (Moniezia expansa, FAIIGRPRF.NH2). BK immunostaining was restricted to a small population of nerve cells and associated fibres within the ventral nerve cords and to 2 pairs of nerve cells innervating the cirrus and the pharynx, respectively. No immunopositive nerve cells and fibres were identified within the brain or in association with the female reproductive apparatus. In contrast, GYIRFamide staining was abundant throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems, and appeared similar to the staining pattern revealed using an FMRFamide antiserum. GYIRFamide immunoreactivity was localized to nerve cells and fibres within the paired cerebral ganglia and the longitudinal ventral, dorsal and lateral nerve cords and their numerous interconnecting transverse commissures. The plexuses of the buccal suckers, pharynx and clamps of the haptor were strongly immunopositive for GYIRFamide, as were nerve cells innervating the ootype, the oviduct and the vitelline reservoir of the reproductive apparatus. Double-labelling experiments indicated an apparent co-localization of GYIRFamide and NPF immunoreactivities.

In March 1945 the writer had the opportunity of examining a young specimen of the South African lemur, Otolemur crassicaudatus garnetti, formerly known as Galago garnetti (Ogilby), sent into the Museum by Mr N. A. W. Macpherson from Cato Ridge near Pietermaritzburg, Natal. Fourteen Cheyletid mites were found in the fur on the back of the animal, some of them fairly active and none attached to the hairs of the body. In August 1946 a further number of mites belonging to the same family was taken from the fur of the slender mongoose, Myonax cauui punctulatus (Gray) captured at Mooi River. Finally, a number of larval Trombidiform mites were collected from the skin of a golden mole, Amblysomus hottentotus longiceps (Broom), donated by Mr R. S. Crass from Curry's Post near Pietermaritzburg.

Bloodmeal volumes and haemolysis rates were determined in male Argas (Persicargas) arboreus and A. (P.) persicus fed on pigeons, domestic fowl, and adult and fledgling herons. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility curves were prepared for the host species.

Centrocestus formosanus is a digenetic trematode from Asia that parasitizes multiple hosts and is a concern in the Comal River, Texas, USA, because of its negative effects on the endangered fountain darter Etheostoma fonticola. To determine a practical sampling method to monitor C. formosanus in the Comal River, we evaluated three sampling methods using wild-caught fish, caged fish reared in the laboratory, and cercariometry. Cercariometry detected significant spatial and temporal patterns of cercarial density in river water that were similar with metacercarial intensity in caged fish, but inconsistent with metacercarial intensity in wild-caught fish. Our results also showed a positive correlation between cercarial density in river water and metacercarial intensity in caged fish. Conversely, the relationship was not significant between cercarial density and metacercarial intensity in wild-caught fish. Because cercariometry predicted similar trends with the caged fountain darter sampling method, cercariometry was useful in predicting C. formosanus gill infections, infection rate, and longevity in infected fountain darters. Although trends from cercariometry and caged fish sampling methods were similar, we recommend cercariometry because it was less expensive to use given the amount of sampling effort required and provides trends that can be used to make pro-active management decisions in C. formosanus-infested aquatic ecosystems.

1. A technique is given for the detailed study of living cercariae in which reference is made to the value of human or horse blood serum as a mounting medium.

2. As a fixative agent for cercariae prior to staining the use of hot lacto phenol solution is recommended.

3. A description is given of three non-furcocercous cercariae obtained from Bullinus contortus in the Sudan.

In 1927 Keilin described the fauna of a rot-hole and a slime-flux in a horse-chestnut tree (Aesculus hippocastanum) standing on the Downing site, Cambridge. For several consecutive years prior to 1927 he took there the larvae of the mosquito Orthopodomyia pulchripalpis Rondani (described as 0. albionensis by MacGregor), this being only the second record for Britain. In 1926 the chestnut tree was cut down and the part of the trunk containing the rot-hole was placed standing on the ground close to the Molteno Institute on its south side. As the rot-hole, after a time, ceased to be water-tight, its bottom was cemented and the “reservoir” kept filled with water. (For further details see Keilin in this issue, p. 280.) Three to four weeks later larvae of Orthopodomyia were found in the reservoir. It was not clear how this recolonisation had taken place as no other breeding place was known in the vicinity.

Obligate symbionts may be genetically structured among host individuals and among phenotypically distinct host populations. Such processes may in turn determine within-host genetic diversity of symbionts, which is relevant for understanding symbiont population dynamics. We analysed the population genetic structure of two species of feather mites (Proctophyllodes sylviae and Trouessartia bifurcata) in migratory and resident blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla that winter sympatrically. Resident and migratory hosts may provide mites with habitats of different qualities, what might promote specialization of mite populations. We found high genetic diversity of within-host populations for both mite species, but no sign of genetic structure of mites between migratory and resident hosts. Our results suggest that, although dispersal mechanisms between hosts during the non-breeding season are unclear, mite populations are not limited by transmission bottlenecks that would reduce genetic diversity among individuals that share a host. Additionally, there is no evidence that host phenotypic divergence (associated with the evolution of migration and residency) has promoted the evolution of host-specialist mite populations. Unrestricted dispersal among host types may allow symbiotic organisms to avoid inbreeding and to persist in the face of habitat heterogeneity in phenotypically diverse host populations.

The pharmacological profiles of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors on Ascaris suum pharyngeal and somatic body wall muscles were investigated. The mechanisms involved following activation of these receptors were also studied. 5-HT activated and maintained pumping in isolated pharynxes with an EC-50 value of 44±1·7μM. The 5-HT agonists, tryptamine, sumatriptan 8-OH-DPAT and 5-carboxyamidotryptamine all failed to stimulate pumping. The 5-HT2 antagonist, ketanserin, initially excited and then inhibited pumping while the 5-HT3 antagonist, ondansetron, had no effect. 5-HT and 5-HT agonists, 8-OH-DPAT, 5-carboxyamidotryptamine, α-methyl-5-HT and tryptamine all inhibited ACh-induced contractions of a somatic body wall muscle strip. Ketanserin partially blocked the inhibitory effect of α-methyl-5-HT and ACh-induced contractions while the 5-HT uptake blocker, fluoxetine, potentiated the effect of 5-HT on ACh-induced contractions. Basal levels of cAMP, 1540±232pmol/mg, in pharyngeal muscle and 1721±134pmol/mg, somatic body wall muscle, were both increased by forskolin. 5-HT had no effect on pharyngeal muscle cAMP levels but raised cAMP levels in somatic body wall muscle, e.g. 100μM 5-HT, raised the level to 2851±212pmol/mg and 1000μM raised levels to 4578±1234pmol/mg., 1000μM, increased inositol phosphate levels in pharyngeal muscle. These results provide some evidence for a 5-HT2-like receptor on pharyngeal muscle. In contrast, the situation on somatic body wall muscle is more confusing since the pharmacological profile partly indicates a 5-HT2-like receptor but this receptor is linked to a rise in cAMP levels. Further studies are required to resolve the position but they must be based on the rational design of ligands specifically for nematode 5-HT receptors and not simply using ligands developed for the classification of mammalian 5-HT receptors. Such a design must take into account data from molecular biology studies of nematode 5-HT receptors.

In previous studies, we have identified several families of 5-nitroindazole derivatives as promising antichagasic prototypes. Among them, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-2-benzyl-5-nitro-1,2-dihydro-3H-indazol-3-one, (hydrochloride) and 1-(2-acetoxyethyl)-2-benzyl-5-nitro-1,2-dihydro-3H-indazol-3-one (compounds 16 and 24, respectively) have recently shown outstanding activity in vitro over the drug-sensitive Trypanosoma cruzi CL strain (DTU TcVI). Here, we explored the activity of these derivatives against the moderately drug-resistant Y strain (DTU TcII), in vitro and in vivo. The outcomes confirmed their activity over replicative forms, showing IC50 values of 0.49 (16) and 5.75 μm (24) towards epimastigotes, 0.41 (16) and 1.17 μm (24) against intracellular amastigotes. These results, supported by the lack of toxicity on cardiac cells, led to better selectivities than benznidazole (BZ). Otherwise, they were not as active as BZ in vitro against the non-replicative form of the parasite, i.e. bloodstream trypomastigotes. In vivo, acute toxicity assays revealed the absence of toxic events when administered to mice. Moreover, different therapeutic schemes pointed to their capability for decreasing the parasitaemia of T. cruzi Y acute infected mice, reaching up to 60% of reduction at the peak day as monotherapy (16), 79.24 and 91.11% when 16 and 24 were co-administered with BZ. These combined therapies had also a positive impact over the mortality, yielding survivals of 83.33 and 66.67%, respectively, while untreated animals reached a cumulative mortality of 100%. These findings confirm the 5-nitroindazole scaffold as a putative prototype for developing novel drugs potentially applicable to the treatment of Chagas disease and introduce their suitability to act in combination with the reference drug.

One hundred and ninety-seven English sparrows collected in the vicinity of Lafayette, Indiana, have been examined for cestode parasites. The species recovered and incidences of infection are as follows: Hymenolepis passeris (Gmelin), 2·5%; Choanotaenia passerina (Fuhrmann) provis, 3·5%; Anonchotaenia globata (von Linstow), 2·5%. Of these, Hymenolepis passeris is reported for the first time from North America. The name Haploparaxis linstowi is proposed for Aploparaksis fringillarum von Linstow nec Rudolphi. Additions are made to the present descriptions of the species observed.

Prof. P. A. Buxton sent me a number of tubes of mite material to examine, and in one bearing the label ‘Gerbille, Madras, India, 3. v. 37, C. S. Swaminath’, I found a number of mites of the genus Laelaps, which were obviously new, in so far as the shape of the anal scutum was decidedly wider than any known species of this genus. This species I have herein described under the name Laelaps buxtoni

Aplopabaksis filum (Goeze, 1782), A. clerci Yamaguti, 1935, and A. brachyphallos (Krabbe, 1869) are closely related species that are distinguishable mainly on anatomical characters, their scolex structures being remarkably uniform both in size and form. This opportunity is taken of defining the main diagnostic characters of the three species from an investigation of material collected in the Aberystwyth area of Wales.

(1) Spermophilus columbianus, S. franklinii, S. lateralis tescorum, S. richardsonii, S. tridecemlineatus and s. undulatus plesius (ground squirrels) were collected from Alberta and Yukon Territory (S. u. plesius only), Canada. Trypanosome infections were detected in all but S. l. tescorum.(2) All six species of squirrels were experimentally inoculated with trypanosomes from naturally infected S. columbianus, S. franklinii, S. richardsonii and S. tridecemlineatus. The strains from S. columbianus, S. richardsonii and S. tridecemlineatus produced infections in some or all of the other host species, whereas the strain from S. franklinii did not.(3) Natural transmission of trypanosomes has not been demonstrated, but it seems likely that fleas act as vectors.(4) Intensities and durations of experimental infections were variable and depended upon the trypanosome strain, host species and individual. Infections were non-pathogenic.(5) Previously infected ground squirrels could not be reinfected with the same or a different trypanosome strain and immunity appeared to be lifelong.(6) Size comparisons among and within trypanosome strains from naturally and experimentally infected ground squirrels revealed that the strains from S. franklinii and S. tridecemlineatus were similar to one another, but different from the other three trypanosome strains (those from S. columbianus, S. richardsonii and S. undulatus).(7) It is suggested that there is only one species of trypanosome, Trypanosoma otospermophili, in the genus Spermophilus in North America and that differences in size and types of infection are due to host-induced variations (i.e. they are plastoxenodemes). T. spermophili (present in Eurasian Spermophilus spp.) might be synonymous with T. otospermophili.

Specimens of Plectanocotyle gurnardi were obtained by the writer from the gills of Trigla cuculus L. and T. gurnardus L. during trawling operations at the Irish Atlantic Slope fishing grounds in August 1938 and July 1939. One specimen of Plectanocotyle gurnardi was collected from a Trigla gurnardus and seven specimens of the same parasite from eight specimens of T. cuculus, the greatest degree of infestation encountered being 3 parasites per host fish. Plectanocotyle gurnardi has been recorded previously, under one or other of the synonyms listed above, from Trigla gurnardus by van Beneden & Hesse (1863), T. Scott (1901, 1905), A. Scott (1904), Lebour (1908), and Little (1929); from T. lucerna L. by A. Scott & Little; and from Trigla ‘sp.’ by Monticelli (1899). It will be noted that the present records of the parasite are from its usual host T. gurnardus and from a new host T. cuculus.

Eimeria funduli, a coccidium infecting the liver and pancreas of killifishes and requiring an intermediate host, was allowed to develop at 22±2 °C for 5, 10, 15 or 20 days (schizont through zygote stages) in Fundulus grandis and was then exposed to 10·0±0·5 °C for 20 days or to 7·0±0·5 °C for 5 or 20 days. Both low temperature treatments inhibited all developmental stages, except for the case of fish infected for 5 days before exposure to 7 °C in which infections were eliminated. Returning fish back to a temperature of 22 °C for 20 days resulted in resumed development of all stages at the same or somewhat reduced rate. In all cases, intensity of infections was greatly reduced during exposure to low temperatures. Many organisms exhibited abnormalities. Gamonts and zygotes were atrophied or disintegrated within their parasitophorous vacuoles in all exposures and, in fish exposed to 7 °C for 20 but not 5 days, about 30% of the oocysts were abnormal, with from 1–8 sporoblasts. Areas of degeneration or necrosis incorporated aggregates and single parasites in both the pancreas and the hepatic parenchyma. The granulocytic inflammatory response, which at 22 °C was normally restricted to the period spanning development of gamonts and formation of the oocyst wall, was inhibited or delayed from infiltrating infected, diseased areas at low temperatures. The response intensified after cold-exposed fish were returned to 22 °C. A fibroid, non-granulocytic response occurred in fish introduced 5 days post-infection to 10°C before being returned to warm water. Two other types of lesion occurred in the pancreas. The first could develop into necrosis and was associated with low temperature; it did not always involve infected tissue. The other, a degenerating focal alteration, was not necessarily associated with infections or low temperatures.

Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes are known to express furosemide (Lasix®)-sensitive P-type membrane Na+-ATPase. In the present study, furosemide activity was studied in intracellular amastigotes and infected BALB/c mice to investigate its efficacy in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Intracellular parasites, but not macrophages, were found to be sensitive to killing by furosemide (IC50 = 87 µmvs CC50 ≫ 1000 µm, respectively). Although furosemide did not induce nitric oxide production or intracellular pH changes in infected macrophages, it led to a significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst. Freshly isolated tissue parasites expressed a high degree of Na+-ATPase activity that decreased with culture, indicative of a higher enzyme expression in amastigotes than in promastigotes. Both intraperitoneal and oral treatment of L. amazonensis-infected mice with furosemide dosages equivalent to that prescribed as a diuretic significantly reduced the parasite's growth compared with the situation in untreated mice. Combination with oral furosemide increased the efficacy and safety of intraperitoneal treatment with sodium stibogluconate (SSG). To summarize, furosemide control of intracellular leishmanial growth by means of parasite Na+-ATPase inhibition, and macrophage ROS activation may help explain its sole and SSG-combined therapeutic effect against murine CL.

To assess the prevalence of Taenia solium cysticercosis in patients with neurological disorders in Slovenia, serum/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 348 suspected patients were collected between the beginning of January 2001 and the end of December 2012 and analysed serologically for the presence of anti-T. solium IgG antibodies. Of 20 patients whose samples tested positive or equivocal by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), samples of 7 patients were confirmed positive by Western blot (WB). The overall seroprevalence rate of T. solium infection in patients with neurological disorders included in the study was 2.0%. Serological results of positive patients corresponded to clinical and/or imaging findings concerning their brain cysts. Based on their personal data, it was ascertained that neurocysticercosis (NCC) positive patients had immigrated or came to Slovenia from the former Yugoslav republics. Since the disease is believed not to be endemic in Slovenia we assume that all of the NCC-positive patients had acquired the infection before immigration to Slovenia or visiting or being visited by their relatives infected with an adult T. solium parasite. The present results represent the first insight into the prevalence of NCC in patients with neurological disorders in Slovenia.