Morphological and molecular genetic characterization of three Capillaria spp. (Capillaria anatis, Capillaria pudendotecta, and Capillaria madseni) and Baruscapillaria obsignata (Nematoda: Trichuridae: Capillariinae) in avians.

Morphological and genetic analyses were performed on four avian species of the subfamily Capillariinae (Nematoda: Trichuridae), i.e., Capillaria anatis from chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Japan and the Philippines, Baruscapillaria obsignata from chickens and captive swans (Cygnus olor and Cygnus atratus) in Japan, Capillaria pudendotecta from captive swans in Japan, and Capillaria madseni from carrion and jungle crows (Corvus corone and Corvus macrorhynchos) in Japan. Although morphometric variations of male and female worms from different hosts and/or localities made the species identification difficult, the 18S ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) sequences clarified their taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships. Species of the same genus clustered robustly into a single clade in the phylogenetic tree based on the 18S rDNA, demonstrating to the extent possible the validity of the latest classification of the subfamily following Moravec's rearrangement in 1982. Male worms of C. pudendotecta are described here for the first time.

Calodium hepaticum (Nematoda: Capillaridae) in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Italy with scanning electron microscopy of the eggs.

Calodium hepaticum (Bancroft, 1893) Moravec, 1982 (syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a cosmopolitan capillariid nematode, infecting mainly rodents and occasionally other mammals, including humans. Reports of C. hepaticum in canids are rare and the present one is, to the best of our knowledge, the first reported case in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus) in Italy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the eggs of C. hepaticum allowed a precise description of the egg morphology, which is one of the most relevant specific characteristics of capillariid nematodes. The egg shell showed a fibrous beam-like network which differs from that of the eggs of closely related trichinelloid species. This characteristic can be useful especially in case of spurious infection, when misdiagnosis among different trichinelloids species can occur.

Fatal toxoplasmosis and concurrent Calodium hepaticum infection in Korean squirrels (Tanias sibericus).

Four Korean squirrels (Tanias siberius) imported in Spain from People's Republic of China died 2 days after their arrival at a pet shop. They had neurological signs associated with generalized toxoplasmosis involving brain, lungs, liver, and the heart. Toxoplasma gondii-like tachyzoites and tissue cysts were found in organs of all four squirrels. The protozoa stained positively with T. gondii polyclonal antibodies and were ultrastructurally similar to T. gondii. Calodium (Capillaria) hepaticum infection was found in the liver of one squirrel.

Hepatic capillariasis: first case report in the Republic of Korea.

We report a case of massive hepatic infection by Capillaria hepatica in a 14-month-old girl who presented with the symptom triad of persistent fever, hepatomegaly, and leukocytosis with eosinophilia. Twenty-five cases of human infection with this parasite, mostly in children, have been reported in the literature. This is the first case of hepatic capillariasis reported in the Republic of Korea. The diagnosis was made by needle biopsy of the liver. Scanning electron microscopic examination of the biopsy specimen was also performed. Thiabendazole therapy was initiated and the patient developed liver disease-related IgA nephropathy during the therapy. The literature dealing with proven cases of infection with C. hepatica is briefly reviewed.

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.

Bacillary band ultrastructure of the fish parasite Capillaria pterophylli (Nematoda: Capillariidae).

In Capillaria pterophylli Heinze, 1933, two lateral bacillary bands extend along the whole body in female and male worms. A ventral bacillary band is present in females only. The bacillary bands consist of glandular and non-glandular cells, in the region between the nerve ring and the end of the stichosome, ciliated sense receptors in tight connection with gland are present.

Sense organs of the nematodes Trichinella pseudospiralis Garkavi, 1972 and T. nativa Britov et Boev, 1972.

The structure and distribution of the sense organs of the head and the tail of two day-old Trichinella species (females) have been determined by transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy. In both species occur 16 cephalic sense organs, which contain three modified dendritic processes, in addition to the amphids. The nerve cell bodies are situated in the area above the nerve ring. The amphid contains ten dendritic processes. The sense organs open to the external environment by pores through the cuticle. Above the bulbous tip, the dendritic processes are surrounded by hypodermal cells. They enter posteriorly the pseudocoelom and join in subventral, subdorsal and two sublateral nerves, with transparent nuclei, in the area above the nerve ring. The distribution of the sense organs of larvae from the muscles and from the uterus is similar to that of the adults. The dendritic processes are short, most of their distal chamber is compacted with a dense, filamentous material. The rectum in the tail end of the female is innervated from the dorsal ganglion composed by multipolar cells with numerous dendrites and a single axon. Close to the excretory pore occurs a hemizonid which consists of six to eight dendrites and is situated between the hypodermis and the muscles. This organ has not been found in the larva.

Stichosome ultrastructure of the fish nematode Capillaria pterophylli Heinze, 1933.

The stichosome (posterior glandular esophagus) of Capillaria pterophylli Heinze, 1933 consists of large gland cells (stichocytes) and lumenal epithelium with cuticular lining. Both structures are enclosed in a reticulum of muscle cells. The stichocyte cytoplasm contains small cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, one kind of electron dense secretory granules, mitochondria and a branching system of intracellular collecting ducts without filament bundles around them.

[Morphological characteristics of the shell of the ova of Capillariidae (Nematoda, Capillariidae)]. / Morfologicheskie osobennosti skorlupy iaits Kapilliariid (Nematoda, Capillariidae).

Peculiarities of the surface architectonics of the egg shell in 18 species of capillariids (Nematoda, Capillariidae) were studied. Capillariids were found in mammals of 5 orders: Insectivora, Chiroptera, Muridae, Carnivora and Arctiodactyla. A correlation between the structure of the external surface of egg shell of these nematodes on one hand, and localization in the organism of the definitive host and its biology on the other, was established. On the basis of these characters capillariids of the genera Capillaria, Eucoleus, Calodium, Liniscus, Thominx and Scrjabinocapillaria were arranged into 6 groups: 1 - the genus Capillaria (luman of the stomach and gut), 2 - the genus Eucoleus (mucous membrane of oesophagus and stomach), 3 - the genus Calodium (parenchima of the liver), 4 - the genus Liniscus (urinary bladder), 5 - the genus Thominx (lungs), 6 - the genera Thominx and Scrjabinocapillaria (lumen of the stomach). The classification suggested makes more precise and supplements the known systems of nematodes of the fam. Capillariidae.

Capillaria plectropomi n. sp. (Nematoda: Capillariidae), a new intestinal parasite of the leopard coral grouper Plectropomus leopardus (Serranidae) off New Caledonia.

A new nematode species, Capillaria plectropomi n. sp. (Capillariidae), is described from the intestine of the leopard coral grouper Plectropomus leopardus (Lacepède) from coral reefs off New Caledonia. The new species, belonging to the subgenus Neocapillaria Moravec, 1987, differs from other congeneric species of this subgenus from marine fishes mainly in the length (168-186 µm), shape and structure of the spicule. It is characterized, in the male, by the presence of two well-developed dorsolateral caudal lobes, a pair of lateral papillae, a heavily sclerotized spicule with many rough transverse grooves in the middle part, a spinose spicular sheath, and in the female, by eggs measuring 60-66 × 27 µm without protruding polar plugs. The buccal cavity contains a small finger-shaped stylet. Capillaria plectropomi n. sp. is the first known species of this genus parasitizing fishes of the perciform family Serranidae.

Capillaria philippinensis in Upper Egypt: has it become endemic?

The goal of this study was to present an overview of human infections with Capillaria philippinensis, a new emerging parasite in Upper Egypt. The study included 21 inpatients who had been admitted to the Assiut University Hospital. Patients suffered from intermittent abdominal pain, borborygmi, chronic diarrhea lasting for several weeks, and marked weight loss. Hypoalbuminemia and low serum levels of potassium, calcium, and sodium were detected in most patients. A stool examination was performed using direct smears and the formalin-ether concentration method. Intact adult worms and/or eggs were evaluated using a light microscope and processed for scanning electron microscopy. The examination by light microscopy illustrated the general morphology of different stages. Using scanning electron microscopy, intestinal villi were found partially covering the cuticle of the adult worms, which provided evidence for the invasion of adult worms into the jejunal mucosa. Two distinct types of eggs, thick-shelled and thin-shelled, were identified and measured.

Redescription of the male and first description of the female of Capillaria carioca Freitas et Lent, 1935 (Nematoda: Capillariidae), a parasite of the marine fish Sphoeroides testudineus.

A redescription of the male and the first description of the female of the intestinal nematode Capillaria carioca Freitas et Lent, 1935 are presented on the basis of specimens collected from the type host, the marine fish Sphoeroides testudineus (Linnaeus) (Teleostei, Tetraodontoidei), from the Lagoon of Yucalpetén in the northern coast of Yucatan (Gulf of Mexico), Mexico. This species is characterized by a well-sclerotized spicule and by the presence of two large ventrolateral lobe-like papillae on the male caudal end and, therefore, is assigned to the subgenus Neocapillaria Moravec, 1987. C. carioca is reported from Mexico for the first time.

Effect of Capillaria hepatica infection on Schistosoma mansoni challenge in mice.

The combined infection between Capillaria hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni was studied. The results of this work revealed that C. hepatica infection induced significant reduction of S. mansoni worm load in the two groups infected with C. hepatica and challenged with S. mansoni either during worm maturation period of C. hepatica, or at the time of presence of C. hepatica eggs in the liver Reduction in total and tissue egg count was also reported, but eggs excreted in the stool showed no difference in count from that of S. mansoni-infected controls. Oogram pattern of the experimental groups revealed a higher percentage of dead eggs and absence of mature and some developing stages. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated severe destruction of adult worm of both groups. All these data showed the vigorous destructive effect of C. hepatica infection on the challenged S. mansoni.

[Severe liver involvement by Capillaria hepatica]. / Schwerer Leberbefall durch Capillaria hepatica.

Human hepatic capillariasis is a rare disease, which predominantly affects children aged 1 to 4 years and has a poor prognosis in extensive infections. This is the first case observed in Germany. The main symptoms are those of severe parasitosis: persistent high fever, hepatomegaly, and excessive hypereosinophilia. Diagnosis is confirmed by the finding of intracellular typical eggs in liver biopsy. There is a lack of established therapy; our 18 months old girl developed liver fibrosis. She survived under a prolonged treatment with high doses of Thiabendazole and two single doses of Ivermectine. Decortin was given to inhibit further granulomatous processes in the liver.

Scaning electron microscopy of Capillaria muris sylvatici from Clethrionomys glareolus with reference to the zoonotic species.

Species of the genus Capillaria are numerous. Many of them are parasites of different species of vertebrates, including man, causing various pathological manifestations. The taxonomy of the capillariids is a complicated one. In the present study, light and scanning electron microscopes were used to illustrate and clarify the taxonomic features of Capillaria muris sylvatici. This capillus or hair nematode was recovered from the vole Clethrionomys glareolus. The results were discussed with reference to the species encountered in the medical and veterinary fields.

[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.

Effect of mebendazole and ivermectin in experimental hepatic capillariasis: parasitological, scanning electron microscopy and immunological studies.

In this study, mebendazole and ivermectin were tried during three different phases of C. hepatica infection. At an early phase, when immature forms were present both drugs were effective in causing destruction and degeneration of the larvae, thus preventing subsequent growth and maturation and consequently the complete absence of eggs. During the second phase, which is found to be the most critical period the two drugs used led to degeneration and resorption of most of adult worms. In the third phase both mebendazole and ivermectin were effective in decreasing the mean number of eggs. After treatment the topographic changes were in the form of disorganized cuticle of the worms and absence of surface uniformity. Such a disorganized cuticle is vulnerable to be attacked. C. hepatica eggs showed irregularities and longitudinal grooves indicated shrinkage of the shell. The effect of the two drugs indicate that both of them were effective in the treatment of hepatic capillariasis.

Examen paleoparasitológico de sedimentos de un sitio arqueológico, Río Mayo, Chubut, Argentina / Paleoparasitological analysis of sediments of an archaeological site, Río Mayo, Chubut, Argentina

En este trabajo, que tiene como objetivo el estudio paleoparasitológico, se analizan sedimentos procedentes del rescate arqueológico de un entierro múltiple en un alero rocoso, cercano a la localidad de Río Mayo, al sudoeste del Chubut. Se obtuvieron sedimentos extraídos de la región pélvica de un esqueleto humano procedente de Patagonia y vinculado al período de contacto europeo-aborigen. Mediante técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas se registraron huevos de anoplocefálidos y de Trichuris sp. La inspección macroscópica previa de la muestra evidenció fecas de roedor y su examen paleoparasitológico evidenció huevos de anoplocefálidos, Trichuris sp, Capillaria sp y un ascadidido no identificado. Por lo tanto, se advierte la posible contaminación del depósito con parásitos de roedores.