detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in the slaughterhouse, sewage and river waters of the Qinghai Tibetan plateau area (QTPA), China The authors of this article would like to state that C. environmental is not a species, but rather a group of un-identified Cryptosporidium isolates from the environment. It is referred to in the literature as Cryptosporidium environmental sequence and not as a species.

Chrysomya bezziana : a case report in a dog from Southern China and review of the Chinese literature Abstract Chrysomya bezziana is an obligate, myiasis-causing fly in humans and warm-blooded animals throughout the tropical and subtropical Old World. We report a case of cutaneous myiasis due to C. bezziana in a dog from Guangxi province in China. A total of 35 maggots were removed from the lesions. Direct sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene showed that the specimen belonged to haplotype CB_bezz02, which was previously reported in Malaysia and the Gulf region. This paper also reviews reported cases of screwworm myiasis from humans and animals in China. Geographical records indicate that the distribution of C. bezziana is expanding, suggesting that an integrated pest management control should be taken into consideration in China.

The effect of trematode infection on the markers of oxidative stress in the offspring of the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis Abstract Most invertebrate species exhibit immunological responses that can inactivate and eliminate penetrating parasites. Such immune responses in particular involve the formation of potentially toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). We explored the immune capabilities of the first-generation (F1) offspring of naturally infected freshwater snails, Lymnaea stagnalis, in response to infection by trematode cercariae under laboratory conditions. The rates of ROS formation and peroxidase activity in the hemolymph of the F1 offspring of L. stagnalis parents infected by an asexual stage of trematodes were significantly higher than in F1 offspring of uninfected parents. Compared to offspring from uninfected parents, the growth rate of F1 snails from infected parents was higher, but survival was lower. After infection of F1 snails by trematode cercariae of Echinoparyphium aconiatum under laboratory conditions, the rate of ROS formation and peroxidase activity in the hemolymph of F1 offspring of uninfected parents increased compared to control snails. This pattern persisted throughout the entire 3-week observation period. In contrast, the rate of ROS formation in the hemolymph of F1 snails from infected parents after experimental infection by E. aconiatum cercariae did not differ from controls, and peroxidase activity even decreased. Thus, trematode parthenitae infection of parents could alter the immune response of their offspring.

Food safety assessment and risk for toxoplasmosis in school restaurants in Armenia, Colombia Abstract We assessed the risk for toxoplasmosis in 10 school restaurants in Armenia (Quindio, Colombia). We analyzed the presence of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in the food, water, and living and inert surfaces of school restaurants, and we correlated these findings with the results of food safety inspection scores and with the prevalence of specific anti-T. gondii antibodies in children who ate at these restaurants. Of the 213 samples, 6.1% were positive using PCR to test for T. gondii DNA. Positive samples were found in meat, water, cucumber, guava juice, inert surfaces, and living surfaces. In 60% (6/10) of the public school restaurants, there was at least one PCR T. gondii-positive sample. In 311 serum samples from children who attended the restaurants, 101 (33%) were positive for IgG and 12 (3.9%) for IgM anti-T. gondii. The median of the compound score for the fulfillment of inspection for food safety conditions was of 60.7% (range 50–72). Higher T. gondii PCR positivity in surfaces, food, or water at each restaurant was correlated with lower inspection scores for water supply and water storage conditions. Lower scores in physical infrastructure and disinfection procedures and higher scores in furniture were correlated with a higher prevalence of IgG anti-T. gondii in children who ate at those restaurants. Inspection scores can identify restaurants with a higher risk for the presence of T. gondii.

Epidemiology, hematology, and unusual morphological characteristics of Plasmodium during an avian malaria outbreak in penguins in Brazil Abstract Avian malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium spp. protozoa, and penguins are considered particularly susceptible to this disease, developing rapid outbreaks with potentially high mortality. We report on an outbreak of avian malaria in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) at a rehabilitation center in Espírito Santo, southeast Brazil. In August and September 2015, a total of 89 Magellanic penguins (87 juveniles and 2 adults) received care at Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of Marine Animals. Over a period of 2 weeks, Plasmodium infections were identified in eight individuals (9.0%), four of which died (mortality = 4.5%, lethality = 50%). Blood smears and sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene revealed the presence of Plasmodium lutzi SPMAG06, Plasmodium elongatum GRW06, Plasmodium sp. PHPAT01, Plasmodium sp. SPMAG10, and Plasmodium cathemerium (sequencing not successful). Two unusual morphological features were observed in individuals infected with lineage SPMAG06: (a) lack of clumping of pigment granules and (b) presence of circulating exoerythrocytic meronts. Hematological results (packed cell volume, plasma total solids, complete blood cell counts) of positive individuals showed differences from those of negative individuals depending on the lineages, but there was no overarching pattern consistently observed for all Plasmodium spp. The epidemiology of the outbreak and the phylogeography of the parasite lineages detected in this study support the notion that malarial infections in penguins undergoing rehabilitation in Brazil are the result of the spillover inoculation by plasmodia that circulate in the local avifauna, especially Passeriformes.

Tentaculariid trypanorhynchs (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda) from Mobula japanica (Müller & Henle) from Indonesia, with the description of two new species Abstract This study presents new information on tentaculariid trypanorhynchs from the Indo-Pacific region around Bali, Indonesia. Two new tentaculariid species, Nybelinia balinensis n. sp. and N. mobulicola n. sp., are described from the stomach of their myliobatid host Mobula japanica (Müller & Henle). Nybelinia balinensis n. sp. is a large-sized tentaculariid (scolex length, 6766–10,991). It can be distinguished from its congeners by a falcate metabasal armature, a unique basal armature of four rows of triangular shaped hooks, craspedote proglottids, and testes arranged in multiple layers in two separate lateral fields. N. mobulicola n. sp. can be characterized by short tentacles of 25 rows of hooks and 60 testes not reaching posterior to the ovary. A combination of a shorter basal armature of uncinate hooks without anterior extension of the base and fewer metabasal uncinate hooks with anterior extension of the base distinguishes it from N. lingualis (Cuvier, 1817). It differs from N. balinensis n. sp. in the possession of uncinate rather triangular shaped basal hooks. The Nybelinia Poche, 1926 fauna of M. japanica is highly specific, in line with a unique trypanorhynch fauna earlier described for the devil rays. This reflects their unique position as oceanic plankton feeders within the marine food web.

A new African species of parasitic Dero (Annelida, Clitellata, Naididae) in the urinary tract of reed frogs Abstract A new species of naidid oligochaete, Dero rwandae, detected in the bladder and the Wolffian ducts of reed frogs Hyperolius kivuensis from Rwanda, is described. Until now, D. bauchiensis was the only endoparasitic Dero known to infect African frogs infesting the eyes and Harderian glands. To the best of our knowledge, the finding of D. rwandae is the first record of an African Dero species infecting the urinary tract of anurans. In general morphology, the two African Dero parasites resemble each other, but differences in the features of ventral setae morphology exist. Parts of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA locus and the nuclear 18S and 28S rRNA loci were sequenced to assess the phylogenetic relationships to other Dero spp. Among those few species, that are barcoded so far, the closest relative of the new taxon is D. superterrenus, a free-living South American species. The species groups formerly termed subgenera Allodero, Aulophorus and Dero within the genus Dero do not represent distinct evolutionary lineages and the genus is paraphyletic including Branchiodrilus.

Long-term temporal variation in the parasite community structure of metazoans of Pimelodus blochii (Pimelodidae), a catfish from the Brazilian Amazon Abstract The Amazon represents one of the most complex biomes in the world; however, the temporal variations in parasite community structure of fishes inhabiting this region remain poorly understood. Therefore, processes generating such variations are still unknown. The present study evaluated the long-term temporal variation of community structure of metazoan parasites of Pimelodus blochii collected in Iaco River, State of Acre (Southwestern Brazilian Amazon). A total of 196 parasites were collected over a 6-year period (2012–2017). Twenty-four different taxa of parasites were found, of which 5 Monogenea, 11 Nematoda, 3 Digenea, 1 Acanthocephala, 1 Cestoda, and 3 Crustacea. The overall species richness ranged from 4 in 2012 to 17 in 2016, in which nematodes (larvae and adults) showed higher numerical dominance, diversity, and species richness. However, the annual species richness was similar between the study years, except in 2016, where it showed a distinctly higher value. The overall parasite diversity was also different in 2012 and 2016, whereas the overall abundance differed in 2013 and 2017. The prevalence and abundance of some infracommunities of parasites varied over time. The temporal changes in the parasite community structure of P. blochii are probably related to variations in host-related features, i.e., body size and shift in diet composition as well as to the occurrence of parasites with distinct life history and biology (mainly monogeneans, digeneans, and nematodes). This is the first evaluation of a long-term temporal variation in the structure of the parasite community in fish from the Amazon.

Bovine besnoitiosis in an endemically infected dairy cattle herd in Italy: serological and clinical observations, risk factors, and effects on reproductive and productive performances Abstract Bovine besnoitiosis (Besnoitia besnoiti) is an emerging parasitic disease of cattle in Europe. This study reports a case of bovine besnoitiosis in a dairy farm housing 217 cattle in Italy. A serological screening was performed on the whole herd using the recommended approach of ELISA and confirmatory Western Blot. Seropositive animals were clinically examined to reveal symptoms and lesions of besnoitiosis. Risk factors and the effects of the parasite infection on reproductive and productive performances were evaluated. Histopathology and molecular analyses on tissues from a slaughtered cow affected by the chronic phase of the disease were carried out. An overall seroprevalence of 23.5%, which increased up to 43.5% considering only cows, was recorded. Clinical examination of 33 of the seropositive cows evidenced the presence of tissue cysts in at least one of the typical localizations (sclera, vulva, or skin) in 25 animals. Statistical analysis did not evidence any significative impact of the parasite infection on herd efficiency; however, a decrease of productive parameters was recorded in cows showing cutaneous cysts. Concerning the chronically affected cow, histopathology revealed B. besnoiti tissue cysts in the skin of the neck, rump, hind legs, eyelid and vulva, in the muzzle, in mucosal membranes of the upper respiratory tract, and in the lungs. Parasite DNA was detected also in masseter muscles, tonsils, mediastinal lymph nodes, liver, cardiac muscle, aorta wall, ovaries, uterus, and vulva. Bovine besnoitiosis continues to spread in the Italian cattle population. Breeders and veterinarians should be aware of this parasitic disease, and control programs should be developed based on surveillance through a diagnostic procedure including both clinical examination and laboratory tests.

Comparative genomics: how has it advanced our knowledge of cryptosporidiosis epidemiology? Abstract Whole genomic sequencing (WGS) and comparative genomics are increasingly used in the characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. They are facilitated by the establishment of procedures for WGS analysis of clinical specimens without laboratory propagation of pathogens. Results of recent comparative genomics analysis suggest that gene duplication might be associated with broad host ranges of some zoonotic Cryptosporidium species and subtypes, while genetic recombination could be involved in the emergence of virulent subtypes. The availability of WGS data has further facilitated the development of advanced molecular typing tools. The use of these tools together with comparative genomics analyses has begun to improve the investigations of outbreaks in industrialized nations. More WGS data, however, are needed from both industrialized nations and developing countries before we can have in-depth understanding of the population genetics and evolution of Cryptosporidium spp. and genetic determinants of various phenotypic traits in human-pathogenic subtypes.