Molecular characterization of Calodium hepaticum in grey dwarf hamster (Cricetulus migratorius).

Calodium hepaticum (Bancroft, 1893) Moravec, 1982 (Syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a zoonotic nematode that causes hepatic capillariosis, an uncommon zoonotic infection. The nematode is globally distributed and parasitizes the liver of mammals, mainly Muroidea. Cricetulus migratorius Pallas, 1773 (Cricetinae) was rarely reported as a host for C. hepaticum. In Turkey, C. hepaticum was recorded in three rodent species; Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, and Apodemus flavicollis. In this study, C. migratorius (grey dwarf hamster) has been identified as a new host species for C. hepaticum in Turkey. The parasite was identified by morphological, histological, and molecular methods and the phylogenetic relationships of C. hepaticum collected from different hosts were revealed. This is the first molecular characterization of C. hepaticum from a grey dwarf hamster.

Capillaria Ova and Diagnosis of Trichuris trichiura Infection in Humans by Kato-Katz Smear, Liberia.

We examined human stool samples from Liberia for soil-transmitted helminth ova by Kato-Katz smear and by quantitative PCR. Twenty-five samples were positive for Trichuris trichiura by smear but negative by quantitative PCR. Reexamination of samples showed that they contained Capillaria eggs that resemble T. trichiura in Kato-Katz smears.

Capillaria appendigera n. sp. (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from the goldbanded jobfish Pristipomoides multidens (Day) (Lutjanidae) and new records of other intestinal capillariids from marine perciform fishes off Australia.

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, a new nematode parasite, Capillaria appendigera n. sp. (Capillariidae), is described from the intestine of the goldbanded jobfish Pristipomoides multidens (Day) (Perciformes, Lutjanidae) from the Arafura Sea West, off the northern coast of Australia. The new species, belonging to the subgenus Procapillaria Moravec, 1987, differs from other congeneric species from fishes mainly in the length (0.92-1.13 mm), shape and structure of the spicule, obtuse spines on the spicule sheath and the structure of eggs. It is characterised, in the male, by the presence of two well-developed dorsolateral caudal lobes, a pair of lateral papillae, a heavily sclerotised spicule with many rough transverse grooves covering almost the entice spicule surface (except for spicule ends), a spinose spicule sheath, and in the female, by a subterminal anus, mostly the presence of a large vulval appendage and by eggs (size 54-69 × 27-33 µm) encapsulated by a conspicuous light-coloured superficial layer. Capillaria appendigera n. sp. is the 12th nominal species of capillariids recorded from fishes in Australian waters and the second known capillariid species parasitising fishes of the perciform family Lutjanidae. In addition, four unidentifiable, morphologically different types of capillariid females, probably representing undescribed species, were recorded from the intestines of marine fishes off the northern coast of Australia: Capillariidae gen. sp. 1 and Capillariidae gen. sp. 2 from Lutjanus johnii (Bloch) and L. malabaricus (Bloch & Schneider), respectively (both Lutjanidae), Capillariidae gen. sp. 3 from Protonibea diacanthus (Lacépède) (Sciaenidae) and Capillariidae gen. sp. 4 from Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus) (Rachycentridae).

Description of a new Capillariinae (Nematoda: Trichuridae) from Scapteromys aquaticus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A new species of Capillaria is described on the basis of specimens recovered from the intestine of the swamp rat Scapteromys aquaticus (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) from Argentina. Capillaria alainchabaudi n. sp. and a peculiar species from Australian marsupials are the only 2 species of Capillaria sensu stricto parasitic in mammals. A comparison with the Australian species and with the 18 species of this genus described from other vertebrates from the Western Hemisphere is given. The separation of the new species is based on morphologic and morphometrical features, such as intestine ending in cloaca beside ejaculatory duct, 2 lateral nonmembranous caudal lobes, 2 pairs of caudal non-pedunculated papillae, terminal part of cylindrical cirrus ornamented with thin and thick spines, spicule with apex not well sclerotized in the males, a conspicuous vulvar appendage in the females, and 2 bacillary bands. A survey of the literature revealed that the species of Capillariinae from rodents belong to 9 genera, and the total number of species is low compared to the high diversity and abundance of the hosts, particularly if the modern Muroidea are considered.

A new species of Capillaria (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from the intestine of the marine fish Acanthopagrus schlegelii schlegelii (Sparidae) from Japan.

A new nematode species, Capillaria acanthopagri n. sp. (Capillariidae), is described from the intestine of the marine fish (black porgy) Acanthopagrus schlegelii schlegelii (Bleeker) from coastal waters of the western north Pacific Ocean off Kochi, Shikoku Island, Japan. The new species, belonging to the subgenus Neocapillaria Moravec, 1987 , differs from other congeneric species of this subgenus from marine fishes (with the exception of C. navonae Timi, Rossin and Lanfranchi, 2006 ) mainly in the length (204-285 microm), shape, and structure of the spicule; and except for C. cooperi Johnston and Mawson, 1945, in markedly small body measurements (males and females 3-4 and 6-10 mm long, respectively). It is characterized by the presence of 33-43 elongate stichocytes; a heavily sclerotized spicule with rough transverse grooves; a spinous spicular sheath; and by eggs measuring 27-30 x 57-60 microm, without protruding polar plugs. Capillaria acanthopagri n. sp. is the first known species of Neocapillaria parasitizing fishes of the perciform Sparidae and the second species of this subgenus recorded from fishes of the Pacific Ocean.

[Determination of the helminths of wild pigeons (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 Columbiformes) in the Bursa region]. / Bursa yöresi yabani güvercin (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 Columbiformes)'lerindeki helmintlerin belirlenmesine yönelik arastirmalar.

The helminth fauna of 113 wild pigeons, (Columba livia Gmelin, 1789), in the Bursa Province was investigated. As a result of the investigation 3 helminth species were detected. These were Capillaria columbae (Gmelin, 1789), Ascaridia columbae (Gmelin, 1790) (Nemathelminthes) and Raillietina echinobothrida (Megnin, 1881) (Cestoda).

A new species of Capillaria (Nematoda: Capillariidae) parasitizing Conger orbignianus (Pisces: Congridae) from Argentina.

Capillaria (Procapillaria) navoneae n. sp. is described from the congrid fish Conger orbignianus from waters off Mar del Plata, Argentina (38 degrees 08'S, 57 degrees 32'W) (prevalence 29.17%, mean intensity +/- SD 6.07 +/- 6.59). The new species is assigned to the subgenus Procapillaria Moravec, 1987, despite the absence of vulvar appendages in gravid females. Of the 3 species so far known in the subgenus, the new one most closely resembles C. (P.) margolisi, from which it is distinguished by lacking a medial expansion in the spicule and a slightly elevated anterior lip of vulva, and by having a shorter esophagus, a larger number of stichocytes, and a shorter tail.

A new species of Pterothominx Freitas, 1959 (Nematoda: Capillariidae) parasitising psittacine birds (Psittaciformes).

A new species, Pterothominx (Pterothominx) moraveci n. sp. (Trichinelloidea: Capillariidae) is described from an Australian parrot, Barnardius zonarius Shaw (Psittacidae: Psittaciformes), imported from Germany and kept in captivity in the Czech Republic. Males of the new taxon differ from all other species of the subgenus Pterothominx Freitas, 1959, which mainly parasitise galliform birds, in having a shorter spicule (0.925-1.338; mean 1.050 mm), a shorter body length and a different form of armed spicular sheath and bursa. Females differ in having the smallest eggs (40-50 x 20-25; mean 48 x 23 microm) and in other morphometrical characters. From the species P. (P.) totani (Linstow, 1875), which parasitises charadriiform birds, the new species differs in its smaller number of stichocytes (females 42-46, mean 44; versus 50-54), different form of the bursa and praebursal alae, and other characters. This is the only species of Pterothominx that parasitises psittacine birds.

Parasitic lesions of bovine liver attributed to capillaria species.

Among meat inspectors in Hokkaido, Japan, the term "bovine parasitic hepatitis" (BPH) has long been used to refer to a hepatic disorder characterized by multiple small yellowish lesions. However, the aetiology is unknown. By means of detailed histopathological examination, fragments of parasitic worms resembling Capillaria were detected in nine (2.25%) of 400 livers showing BPH lesions. Histologically, the degenerative lesions showed eosinophilic papillary endothelial hyperplasia of the interlobular veins and eosinophilic membranous structures in the eosinophilic granulomatous areas of inflammation. These characteristic findings differed from those of hepatic capillariasis of other animal species. BPH was found in 5-20% of milk cows examined throughout Hokkaido, and was also detected in cattle from another prefecture and from Australia. Possibly the same parasitic disorder, albeit undiagnosed, is more widespread.

Capillariid nematodes (Nematoda: Capillariidae) parasitic in the common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), with redescription of Baruscapillaria carbonis (Dubinin et Dubinina, 1940).

Two species of the genus Baruscapillaria Moravec, 1982 are known to parasitise the small intestine of the common cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (L.): Baruscapillaria carbonis (Dubinin et Dubinina, 1940) and B. rudolphii Moravec, Scholz et Nasincová, 1994. A redescription of the former species, based on specimens collected from common cormorants shot in South Bohemia, Czech Republic, is provided. Morphological features distinguishing B. carbonis and B. rudolphii are specified. B. carbonis is characterised mainly by the well-developed membranous bursa in the male, composed of five distinct lobes (four lateral and one spur-shaped dorsal); the length of the spicule is 1.9-2.3 mm; gravid females are provided with a long vulvar appendage. Males of B. rudolphii have reduced, bi-lobed membranous bursa and the spicule is 0.9-1.3 mm long; the vulvar appendage is absent in gravid females. This is the first record of B. carbon is in the Czech Republic.

Redescription and systematic status of Capillaria philippinensis, an intestinal parasite of human beings.

A redescription of the capillariid originally described as Capillaria philippinensis, a pathogenic intestinal parasite of humans, is provided on the basis of specimens collected in humans in the Philippines. The general morphology, particularly the structure of the male caudal end, shows that this species belongs to Paracapillaria Mendonça, 1963 according to the present classification system of capillariids; the species is transferred to Paracapillaria as Paracapillaria philippinensis (Chitwood, Velasquez, and Salazar, 1968) n. comb. Crossicapillaria n. subgen. is proposed to accommodate this species.

Records of the bird capillariid nematode Ornithocapillaria appendiculata (Freitas, 1933) n. comb. from freshwater fishes in Mexico, with remarks on Capillaria patzcuarensis Osorio-Sarabia et al., 1986.

Re-examination of capillariid specimens collected from the freshwater fish Chirostoma estor Jordan from Lake Pátzcuaro in 1985-1986 and deposited as paratypes of Capillaria patzcuarensis Osorio-Sarabia, Pérez-Ponce de León & Salgado-Maldonado, 1986 showed that their morphology was in contradiction with the description of this species and, in fact, they could be identified as the species originally described as C. appendiculata Freitas, 1933 from cormorants Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Gm.) in Brazil; conspecific capillariid specimens were later recorded from Chirostoma estor and Cyprinus carpio L. from the same locality. This species and two others are transferred to Ornithocapillaria Barus & Sergeeva, 1990 as O. appendiculata (Freitas, 1933) n. comb., O. carbonis (Dubinin & Dubinina, 1940) n. comb., and O. phalacrocoraxi (Borgarenko, 1975) n. comb. This is the first record of O. appendiculata in Mexico. Its occurrence in fishes suggests that these nematodes may be acquired by their fish hosts accidentally while feeding on cormorant excrement containing mature nematodes. A female capillariid collected from one of 110 Chirostoma estor examined from this locality in April, 1998 was identified as Capillaria patzcuarensis. Both capillariid species are briefly described and illustrated.

Capillaria (Hepatocapillaria) cichlasomae (Nematoda: Capillariidae) from the liver of the cichlid fish Cichlasoma urophthalmus from Yucatan, Mexico.

Capillaria (Hepatocapillaria) cichlasomae sp. n., parasitic in the liver of the cichlid Cichlasoma urophthalmus (Günther) from a small freshwater lake ("aguada") Xpoc in Yucatan, Mexico, is described. The parasite is characterized mainly by its small body size (male 1.8 mm, female 4.5 mm), the structure of the stichosome (markedly short stichocytes in one row) and the male (the presence of a pair of small subventral postanal papillae) and female (anus distinctly subterminal) caudal ends, and by the size and structure of the spicule (spicule 0.068-0.085 mm long, with marked transverse grooves on surface) and eggs (size 0.053-0.058 x 0.023 mm, with protruding polar plugs). This is the second known Capillaria species from the liver of fish and the first one from the liver of a freshwater fish.

Human intestinal capillariasis in an area of nonendemicity: case report and review.

We report a rare case of human intestinal capillariasis in a young Colombian man who presented with abdominal pain and mild, self-limited diarrhea. Capillaria eggs were visualized in the feces, and treatment with mebendazole (200 mg/d for 3 weeks) resulted in clinical and parasitological cure. To our knowledge, this is the first case in a South American person and the second case reported in Europe. This case highlights the acquisition of endemic intestinal parasitosis far away from classically considered areas of endemicity. We review the English-language literature on human intestinal capillariasis and compare findings from other cases with those from the current case.

[The distribution and biology of Capillaria garfiai from Sus scrofa]. / Zur Verbreitung und Biologie von Capillaria garfiai aus Sus scrofa.

The infestation extent of wild boars (Sus scrofa) with Capillaria garfiai Gallégo & Mas-Coma, 1975 in East-Austria and the localisation of the nematodes in the tongue (n = 159) were examined. The infestation extent (prevalence) was between 66.6 and 90.9 percent. Concerning the location of the parasites in the tongue there was a striking difference between C. garfiai males and females. So, the number of C. garfiai females continuously decreased from the first to the fourth quarter of the tongue, whereas C. garfiai males could be found increasingly in the epithelium of the third quarter. Further, we investigated the biology of C. garfiai and could show, that the development is only involving intermediate hosts, which could be identified as earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris, Allolobophora caliginosa, A. rosea). The morphological characteristics of C. garfiai specimens of wild boars and domestic pigs were compared, but no noticeable differences could be detected.

Pseudocapillaria (Ichthyocapillaria) maricaensis n. sp. (Nematoda, Capillariidae) and remarks on the helminthological fauna of Liolaemus lutzae Mertens, 1938 (Lacertilia, Iguanidae)

Pseudocapillaria (Ichthyicapillaria) maricaensis n. sp. is described from the small intestine of the lizard, Liolaemus lutzae Meterns, 1938, collected in the State of Rio de Janeiro Brazil. The author compares the new species with Capillaria crotaliRudolphi, 1819) Travassos, 1915, Capillaria freitaslenti Araujo & Gandra, 1941, Pseudocapillaria (Pseudocapillaria) amarali (Freitas & Lent, 1934) Moravec, 1952, Pseudocapillaria (Pseudocapillaria) cezarpintoi (Freitas & Lent, 1934)

[Capillaria merluccii spec. nov. from the sea hake Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus from the coastal waters of Namibia]. / Capillaria merluccii spec. nov. aus den Seehechten Merluccius capensis und M. paradoxus von Küstengewässern Namibias.

The new nematode species was located in the rectum. It is described and especially compared with Capillaria gracilis (BELLINGHAM, 1844). Its position in the subgenera of the genus Capillaria ZEDER, 1800, proposed by MORAVEC (1987), is discussed.

[Turdus merula L. as a proper host of Capillaria ovopunctata (Nematoda, Capillariidae)]. / Turdus merula L. wlasciwym zywicielem Capillaria ovopunctata (Nematoda: Capillariidae).

Biometrical analysis of four morphometric characters of male and female specimens of Capillaria ovopunctata parasitizing in Sturnus vulgaris, Erithacus rubecula, Turdus philomelos and Turdus merula, i.e. length of body, oesophagus, number of stichocytes or length of spicula and vulvar appendage respectively was carried out. It has been proved, that characters of females C. ovopunctata parasitizing in T. merula significantly differ from those of the nematodes found in other hosts. The present and previous author's results on high extensiveness and intensity of invasion allow to state that T. merula is a proper host for C. ovopunctata.

[Capillaria (Nematoda, Trichuridae) of wild swine (Sus scrofa) in Austria]. / Die Capillarien (Nematoda, Trichuridae) des Wildschweines (Sus scrofa) in Osterreich.

Capillaria (Nematoda, Trichuridae) of wild boar in Austria. In a research on Capillaria species with wild boar in Austria 2 species could be found, C. spec. in the stomach and C. garfiai in the tongue. The morphological characteristics of both species were described and represented C. spec. could only be detected in one of 105 stomachs and intestines. C. garfiai, however, could be proved in 77 (= 69%) of 112 examined tongues. C. garfiai which parasitizes in the tongue epithelium causes pathological changes only to a slight degree, so that it is of almost no pathogenic significance. The frequency of infestation with eggs of Capillaria (with a high probability of C. garfiai) was 14.4% of 319 examined samples of faeces. The validity of C. spec. is discussed. Both species were detected at wild boar in Austria for the first time.