[Preliminary study on molecular detection of polysaccharide from Amusium pleuronectes and its intervention to hepatic fibrosis in rats infected with Schistosoma japonicum].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the molecular characterization of polysaccharide purified from Amusium pleuronectes, so as to investigate its role of intervention to the formation of hepatic fibrosis caused by Schistosoma japonicum infection. METHODS: The crude polysaccharide from A. pleuronectes was extracted and further purified, and the molecular weight and monosaccharide composition were determined by the high pressure size exclusion chromatography and PMP pre-column derivatization method, respectively. A total of 50 female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups：A (normal group), B (experimental group), C (polysaccharide group), D (praziquantel), and E (polysaccharide + praziquantel group). The mice in B, C, D, or E groups were attacked on the abdominal skin by using the cercariae of S. japonicum (30 ± 2 for each mouse) respectively. After 8 weeks, the mice in C, D, and E groups were administrated by polysaccharide and/or praziquantel, and the mice in B group were instead of saline. All the livers and sera were collected after 16 weeks. HE staining was employed for the livers, and serum IFN-γ and IL-13 were measured by using ELISA kits. RESULTS: The molecular weight of purified polysaccharide from A. pleuronectes was 11.7 kDa. Compared with A and B groups, the serum levels of IFN-γ in C, D, and E groups were significantly increased (F = 63.525, P < 0.01). However, the serum levels of IL-13 in C, D, and E groups were significantly decreased (F = 99.788, P < 0.01) compared with that in B group. HE staining showed that the egg nodules and hepatic fibrosis were observed in B, C, D, and E groups. The number of egg nodules and fibrosis degree in E group were milder than those in B group (χ2 = 7.875, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The polysaccharide from A. pleuronectes has an obvious effect in preventing hepatic fibrosis process induced by S. japonicum infection, particularly combining with the administration of praziquantel.

[Investigation of infestation of Carpoglyphus lactis in stored jujube from Anhui Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the breeding of Carpoglyphus lactis in stored jujube from Anhui Province, so as to provide the evidence for preventing the harm of C. lactis to stored jujube. METHODS: The jujube samples stored for more than 6 months were collected from dried fruit shops and/or Chinese herbal medicine warehouses, which were chosen as survey sites in Anhui Province. The mites were isolated and identified under a microscope. RESULTS: Totally 19 samples infested with C. lactis were obtained from 300 samples in 17 cities of Anhui Province, the breeding rate and breeding density of C. lactis were 6.33% and 6.52 per gram respectively. The constituent ratios of different developmental stages were adult 85.72%, larva 12.27%, dormancy body 0.56%, and egg 1.45%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The breeding density of C. lactis in the stored jujube is high and the species diversity is rich, so the control of C. lactis and the prevention of human acariasis should be strengthened.

[Study on natural population dynamics and spatial distribution pattern of Tyrophagus putrescentiae in stored flour].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the natural population dynamics and spatial distribution of Tyrophagus putrescentiae in storage flour, so as to provide an evidence for its prevention and control. METHODS: The samples from five sampling points in Wuhu City were collected monthly from January to December, 2013, and examined and counted for T. putrescentiae. The dispersion pattern target, Iwao's m*- x̄; regression analysis and Taylor's lgS2-lg x̄; regression analysis were used for analyzing the spatial distribution pattern of T. putrescentiae in the storage flour. RESULTS: The peaks of population dynamics of T. putrescentiae were discovered in July and September. The indexes of dispersion were as follows：I > 0, CA > 0, m*/ x̄; > 1; and the linear regression equation of Iwao：m* = 3.740 3 + 1.017 5 x̄; (r = 0.995 8) and Taylor：lgS2 = 0.500 4 + 1.134 9 lg x̄; (r =0.832 8) showed that the spatial distribution pattern of T. putrescentiae in the storage flour was assembled. CONCLUSIONS: The peak of population dynamics of T. putrescentiae in the storage flour in Wuhu City is a double peak type, and the spatial distribution pattern of T. putrescentiae is assembled.

[Gohieria fusca found in dust of air-conditioner filters].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pollution status of Gohieria fusca in the air conditioner-filters of different places in Wuhu City. METHODS: The dust samples were collected from the filters of air-conditioners in dining rooms, shopping malls, hotels and households between June and September, 2013, and G. fusca was detected in the dust samples. RESULTS: There were 430 dust samples collected and 98 were G. fusca positive with the breeding rate of 22.79%. The difference of breeding rates of G. fusca were statistically significant among the different places ( χ2 =18.294, P < 0.05). Among 510.5 g dust samples in total, 783 G. fusca mites were detected with an average breeding density of 1.53 mite/g. CONCLUSIONS: G. fusca breeds in the dust of air-conditioner filters in Wuhu City gravely.

[Carpoglyphus lactis infestation in stored traditional Chinese medicine Arillus longan].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the breeding of Carpoglyphus lactis in the storage Arillus longan, so as to provide the evidence for preventing the harm of C. lactis to traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS: Chinese herbal medicine warehouses were chosen as survey sites according to the breeding habits of mites, and the A. longan samples were stored more than 6 months. The mites were isolated and identified under a microscope. RESULTS: The C. lactis breeding rate was 20.0% (4/20) and the breeding density was 184.95 per sample. The constitute rates of adult, larva, dormancy body and egg were 58.39%, 30.41%, 0.06%, and 11.14% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The breeding density of C. lactis is high in the stored A. longan, so the control and prevention of human intestinal acariasis should be strengthened.

[A specific immune therapeutic effect of Der p2 T cell epitope vaccine on asthma mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the specific immune therapeutic effect of the T cell fusion peptide vaccine from group II allergens from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p2). METHODS: Thirty mice were randomly divided into three groups, namely a negative control group (a PBS group), positive control group (an asthma group) and protein Der p2 T cell fusion epitope for specific immunotherapy (SIT) group (a Der p2 T group). The extract of house dust mites (HDM) was used to establish the asthmatic models in BALB/c mice, and the PBS group was always used with PBS buffer. Thirty minutes before spray inhalation from 25 to 27 days, the mice of the Der p2 T group were respectively injected subcutaneously with the therapeutic proteins for SIT, then the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. ELISA was used to assay the levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-13 in BALF, as well as serum levels of specific IgE and IgG2a. The lung tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for pathological examinations. RESULTS: The ELISA detection revealed that the number of eosinophil in BALF of the asthmatic mice was (5.57 ± 0.64)×105/ml, which was significantly higher than that in the PBS group [(0.50 ±0.30)×105/ml, P < 0.01], the number of eosinophil in the Der p2 T immunotherapy group decreased significantly [(3.45 ± 0.36)×105/ml, P < 0.01]. The content of IFN-γ in the PBS group, asthma group and Der p2 T group were (267.00 ± 21.98), (155.80 ± 20.53) pg/ml and (234.40 ± 24.46) pg/ml respectively. Compared with the asthma group, the mice with Der p2 T vaccine specific immune treatment produced a high level of IFN-γ (P < 0.01). The content of IL-4 in the PBS group, asthma group and Der p2 T group were (23.40 ± 5.96), (53.28 ± 8.26) pg/ml and (30.00 ± 5.50) pg/ml respectively. Compared with the asthma group, the content of IL-4 in the mice of the Der p2 T treatment group was significantly lower (P < 0.01). Compared with the asthma group [(308.10 ± 28.32) pg/ml], the content of IL-13 in BALF of the mice in the Der p2 T treatment group was significantly decreased, which was [(174.50 ± 25.99) pg/ml, P < 0.01]. The content of IL-13 in the PBS group was (95.99 ± 31.14) pg/ml. The lung tissue sections showed that the lung inflammation in the p2 T Der group was significantly less than that in the asthma group, and the inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly decreased, and airway epithelial construction remodeled. CONCLUSIONS: The Der p2 T cell fusion epitope, which is as vaccines for specific immunotherapy with asthma models, can alleviate effectively allergic inflammation of airway and lung in the mice, and it may be used as a candidate vaccine for asthma.

[Morphologic observation on Histiostoma feroniarum in Allium cepa].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the external morphology of Histiostoma feroniarum hypopus under a light microscope. METHODS: The samples were collected in a mushroom cultivation base, and the H. feroniarum hypopus was isolated and purified. The slide samples were prepared and observed under an optical microscope. RESULTS: The back body of the H. feroniarum hypopus was flat with tiny bristles, the epidermis was of significant ossification, the ventral had four pairs of slender feet stretched, the sucker plate was prosperous in the end of the body, and the sucker plate had eight suckers. The gnathosoma was thin, long and highly specialized. CONCLUSIONS: The light microscopy shows the morphological characteristics of H. feroniarum hypopus, providing the basis for identifying and life cycle study.

[Tyrophagus palmarum and its hypopus found in feed of Tenebrio molitor].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the Tyrophagus palmarum and its hypopus in feed of Tenebrio molitor. METHODS: Feed samples were collected from T. molitor farms, and T. palmarum and its hypopus were separated from the samples by the vibration sieve method and floating method. The glass specimens were prepared and T. palmarum and its hypopus were observed under an optical microscope. RESULTS: Under the light microscope, the skin of T. palmarum was smooth and bright, the color of legs and chelicerae was relatively dark, the length of dorsal seta d2 was 3-4 times longer than d1 and la; The ω1 in tarsus of leg Ⅰ, Ⅱ was short rod, and its top was not tapered; the sucker plate in tarsus of leg Ⅳ located in the middle of the section. The hypopus was oblate, and there were two pairs of legs in front which extended to body. The rear end of hypopus became pointless and round, wrapping around a transparent and ossification skin. CONCLUSIONS: Light microscopy shows the morphological characteristics of T. palmarum and its dormant body, providing the basis for identifying the hypopus.

[Investigation on Aspidogastrea infection in freshwater mussels in Anhui Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of trematode Aspidogastrea in freshwater mussels in Anhui Province, China. METHODS: The freshwater mussels living in different water areas within Anhui territory were harvested and dissected from April to May, 2015. Then the flukes were collected from the pericardial cavities of the clams into a petri dish containing small amount of saline. After rinsing, the flukes were transferred into a bottle containing 70% ethanol for following identification by staining of the specimens prepared as previous protocol. RESULTS: A total of 3 007 calms in 12 species, including Unio douglasiae (603), Acuticosta chinensis (90), Lamprotula caveat (150), Lamprotula leai (250), Lanceolaria grayana (47), Anodonta pacifica (60), Anodonta woodiana (350), Cuneopsis heudei (100), Solenaia oleivora (150), Cristaria plicata (567), Hyriopsis cumingii (550) and Arconaia lanceolata (90) were dissected, in which 1 467 mussels were infected with the trematode Aspidogastrea, with an infection rate of 48.79% (1 467/3 007). Totally, 7 306 flukes belonging to 3 genera under the subclass of Aspidogastrea were isolated. These trematodes were genera of Aspidogaster, Lophotaspis and Cotylaspis. The infection density was from 1 to 128 capita for individual positive clam, with a mean infectiosity of 4.98 (7306/1467) for each mussel. CONCLUSIONS: The freshwater bivalves living in different water areas in Anhui Province are infected with the trematode Aspidogastrea. These flukes were identified as Aspidogaster sp. Lophotaspis sp. and Cotylaspis sp. belonging to subclass Aspidogastridae of family Aspidogastrea.

[A domestic cat infected with a large number of Clonorchis sinensis].

Adult Clonorchis sinensis not only occurs in human hepatic duct, but also in the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts of animals, including dogs and cats, thus causing clonorchiasis-one of important parasitic zoonoses. In present study, we dissected a domestic cat in which a total of 736 pieces of trematodes, identified as Clonorchis sinensis, were detected in the liver and cholecyst. The findings indicate that Clonorchis sinensis may be endemic in domestic animals in Wuhu area, and observe our awareness in prevention of the parasites in house pets.

[Study on Histiostomas apromyzarum breeding in traditional Chinese medicine Rhizoma bletillae].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Histiostomas apromyzarum breeding in traditional Chinese medicine Rhizoma Bletillae. METHODS: The scurf and dust of R. bletillae were obtained by brushing, and the mites samples were separated and identified. RESULTS: Totally 520 g samples were collected, and 56 adult mites (female-male ratio 0.12) and 18 dormant bodies were obtained from the samples, and they were identified as H. apromyzarum with an average breeding density of 0.14/g. CONCLUSIONS: H. apromyzarum could breed on the traditional Chinese medicine R. bletillae, and the corresponding control measures should be strengthened.

[Survey and morphological observation of Lepidoglyphus destructor in college canteens].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the breeding and morphology of Lepidoglyphus destructor in college canteens in south Anhui Province. METHODS: The powder and rice on the floor around dough makers, flour bags and rice bags in college canteens were collected and observed under a microscope. RESULTS: Totally 108 samples were collected, and Acaroid mites were found in 101 of them with a detection rate of 93.52%. Totally 1 527 mites were found with an average breeding density of 1.41/g. Under the light microscope observed, the L. destructor's four pairs of legs were tapering from tarsus. The back setae were stiff and the ventral setae were smooth and relatively short. The internal vertical seta was longer than the top of the chelicera. Dorsal seta d3, d4, lateral seta l3 and sacral inner hair sai were the longest. The female mites were bigger than the male ones, and had more anal seta than male ones. The genital fold of female mites almost connected together, and the front-end had a crescent shaped plate cover. CONCLUSIONS: The breeding of Acaroid mites in college canteens is serious, and therefore, effective measures should be taken to prevent and control it.