Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in a captive lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris): case report, morphological and molecular genetic mite identification.

Sarcoptes scabiei (Acari: Sarcoptidae) is a globally distributed parasitic mite species, which causes mange in a broad spectrum of domestic and wild mammals. In the present study, we report a case of chronic S. scabiei infestation in a captive lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) held in a multi-species exhibit at Vienna Zoo. The adult male showed clinically manifested mange flare-ups three times at an interval of up to 12 months, diagnosed by positive deep-skin scrapings and successfully treated by oral applications of ivermectin (0.1-0.2 mg/kg body weight) and washings with antimicrobial solutions. Clinical symptoms including pruritus, alopecia, erythema, crusts, and superficial bleedings were limited to the axillar and pectoral region, as well as distal limbs. The affected tapir died from underlying bacterial pneumonia during general anesthesia. Skin scrapings, necropsy, and histopathological analysis of mite material (eggs, larvae, and adults) permitted further morphological and molecular identification. The morphological features described here matched the characteristics for the species S. scabiei and molecular data verified morphological identification. Cross-species transmission plays a key role in the expansion of this neglected emerging panzootic disease and urban wildlife could potentially bridge the gap between free-ranging wildlife reservoirs and zoo animals. However, further examinations are needed to detect the primary source of infestation and discover transmission pathways within the zoo.

First confirmed record of Trichobilharzia franki Müller & Kimmig, 1994, from Radix auricularia (Linnaeus, 1758) for Austria.

Avian schistosomes are of medical and veterinary importance as they are responsible for the annually occurring cercarial dermatitis outbreaks. For Austria, so far, only Trichobilharzia szidati Neuhaus 1952 was confirmed on species level as causative agent of cercarial dermatitis. Here we present the first record of Trichobilharzia franki Müller & Kimmig 1994 in Austria. The species was detected during a survey of digenean trematodes in Upper Austrian water bodies. Furthermore, we provide DNA barcodes of T. franki as well as measurements of several parasite individuals to indicate the intraspecific diversity. We also recommend the usage of an alternative primer pair, since the "standard COI primer pair" previously used for Schistosomatidae amplified an aberrant fragment in the sequence of T. franki. Overall, our study shows how limited our knowledge about occurrence and distribution of avian schistosomes in Austria is and how important it is to acquire such a knowledge to estimate ecological and epidemiological risks in the future.

First molecular data on the human roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides species complex from the Bronze and Iron Age in Hallstatt, Austria.

Palaeoparasitological studies can provide valuable information on the emergence, distribution, and elimination of parasites during a particular time in the past. In the prehistoric salt mines of Hallstatt, located in the Austrian Alps, human faeces have been conserved in salt. The aim of this study was to recover ancient DNA of intestinal parasites from these coprolites. Altogether, 35 coprolites from the Hallstatt salt mines, dating back to the Bronze Age mining phase (1158-1063 BCE) and the Iron Age mining phase (750-662 BCE), respectively, were analysed by microscopy and molecular methods. In 91% of the coprolite samples, eggs of soil-transmitted helminths (STH), namely of Trichuris and/or Ascaris were detected by light microscopy. The Ascaris eggs were exceptionally well preserved. For further analysis, DNA was extracted from the palaeofaecal samples and species-specific primers targeting different genes were designed. While amplification of Trichuris DNA remained unsuccessful, sequence data of A. lumbricoides species complex were successfully obtained from 16 coprolites from three different genes, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1), the mitochondrial cytochrome B gene (cytB) and the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene (nadh1). Importantly, these included two Ascaris sequences from a coprolite from the Bronze Age, which to the best of our knowledge are the first molecular data of this genus from this period.

First Record of Trichobilharzia physellae (Talbot, 1936) in Europe, a Possible Causative Agent of Cercarial Dermatitis.

Several species of avian schistosomes are known to cause dermatitis in humans worldwide. In Europe, this applies above all to species of the genus Trichobilharzia. For Austria, a lot of data are available on cercarial dermatitis and on the occurrence of Trichobilharzia, yet species identification of trematodes in most cases is doubtful due to the challenging morphological determination of cercariae. During a survey of trematodes in freshwater snails, we were able to detect a species in the snail Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805) hitherto unknown for Austria, Trichobilharzia physellae; this is also the first time this species has been reported in Europe. Species identification was performed by integrative taxonomy combining morphological investigations with molecular genetic analyses. The results show a very close relationship between the parasite found in Austria and North American specimens (similarity found in CO1 ≥99.57%). Therefore, a recent introduction of T. physellae into Europe can be assumed.

Genetic homogeneity of Fascioloides magna in Austria.

The large American liver fluke, Fascioloides magna, is an economically relevant parasite of both domestic and wild ungulates. F. magna was repeatedly introduced into Europe, for the first time already in the 19th century. In Austria, a stable population of F. magna has established in the Danube floodplain forests southeast of Vienna. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity of F. magna in Austria. A total of 26 individuals from various regions within the known area of distribution were investigated for their cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and nicotinamide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) gene haplotypes. Interestingly, all 26 individuals revealed one and the same haplotype, namely concatenated haplotype Ha5. This indicates a homogenous population of F. magna in Austria and may argue for a single introduction. Alternatively, genetic homogeneity might also be explained by a bottleneck effect and/or genetic drift.

Cercarial dermatitis in Austria: questionnaires as useful tools to estimate risk factors?

Cercarial dermatitis is a worldwide occurring skin disease characterized by itching and skin papulation. It is caused by cercariae of the fluke family Schistosomatidae. In the tropics and subtropics species of the genus Schistosoma can cause severe diseases of man. However, several genera (e.g. Trichobilharzia, Bilharziella) of medical significance are prevalent in Europe as well; they are also known as "bird schistosomes", because waterfowl is the final host. Pulmonate snails act as intermediate hosts. Humans are accidental hosts; they get infested by penetration of the cercariae into the skin of swimmers/bathers in ponds and lakes. They can not mature in humans, but die shortly after penetration. Cercarial dermatitis is known in Austria since 1969, with regularly occurrences nearly every summer. In early 2003 we created a homepage to provide information about the causative agents for the public/patients, to document the occurrences and to get data about the distribution of this parasitic disease. We therefore created a questionnaire and asked people for the following parameters: personal data, information about the waters, activity in the water and details about the dermatitis itself. A total of 34 questionnaires were returned. The results will be discussed according to their relevance as risk factors. The way how people interact with the water seems to be essential, but not demographic features. In addition, this approach revealed a new segment of the public that is at risk - owners/users of swimming ponds.

A new species of the South East Asian genus Sarax Simon, 1892 (Arachnida: Amblypygi: Charinidae) and synonymization of Sarax mediterraneus Delle Cave, 1986.

A new species of the whip spider genus Sarax Simon, 1892 from Cebu Island in the Philippines is described: Sarax huberi sp. nov. With the description of this species, the diversity of the genus is increased to three species in the Philippines. Some additional data on their natural environment and their specific habitat are presented and compared with sibling species. The synonymization of Sarax mediterraneus Delle Cave, 1986 with Sarax buxtoni (Gravely, 1915) is carried out.

[Johann Gottfried Bremser (1767-1827) as a protagonist of the cowpox vaccine]. / Johann Gottfried Bremser (1767-1827) und die Kuhpockenimpfung.

Vienna was the first city on the European continent where the cowpox vaccination was applied in 1799, shortly after Jenner's (1798) publication of his encouraging results in England. Nevertheless, substantial denial and distrust was evident among doctors and patients in Europe as well, particularly in Austria. The medical doctor Johann Gottfried Bremser remains well known even today among parasitologists as a pioneer of helminthological research in Austria. He founded, in Vienna, one of the richest parasitic worm collections worldwide and published perceptive papers about helminthology. But his role as a protagonist of the cowpox vaccine has been buried in oblivion. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Bremser worked as a medical doctor in Vienna and was influenced by the major proponents of the vaccine in Austria, Pascal Joseph Ferro, Jean de Carro, Johann Peter Frank and others. Beyond his practical contribution as vaccinator, he excelled as a propagandist, mainly through his publications on cow pox vaccination. Bremser used his expert knowledge and sophisticated argumentation to prompt people to accept the prophylactic treatment, especially for their children. He argued for an obligatory cowpox vaccination for all. On one hand, his argumentation summarizes the contrarian opinions of that time, on the other hand the discussion shows striking analogies with the controversies of today. In a way, Bremser's commitment was a forerunner for future health policies that led to vaccination laws and ultimately to the eradication of smallpox worldwide in the second half of the 20th century.

Wherefrom and whereabouts of an alien: the American liver fluke Fascioloides magna in Austria: an overview.

The giant liver fluke Fascioloides magna, an invasive species originating from North America, was recorded in Austria in the wild for the first time in 2000. Since then, various data concerning the epidemiology in snail intermediate hosts and cervid final hosts have been reported. Galba truncatula acts as snail intermediate host, and red deer, roe deer and fallow deer act as final hosts. G. truncatula is abundant throughout the region, especially along muddy shores of slow-flowing branches of the river system. Prevalence in deer (20-100 %) is much higher than in snails (0.03-0.2 %). Despite medical treatment of parts of the deer population, the parasite has successfully established itself on both sides of the Danube floodplain environments southeast of Vienna. Genetic analysis revealed that the infection of Austrian deer populations apparently originated from foci in the Czech Republic or from populations of Danube tributaries. Areas adjacent southwards, which will soon be joined through wildlife crossings, have not yet evidenced F. magna. Nonetheless, these environments are inhabited by host snails and deer and therefore constitute suitable habitats for F. magna. Invading alien parasites not only threaten native individual hosts but also influence host populations, thus potentially also modifying parasite communities and interactions. The host range of F. magna includes a variety of potential hosts, notably other Lymnaeidae as potential intermediate hosts and various ungulates, including sheep and cattle, as final hosts. Because eradication after medical treatment was unsuccessful, and due to the risk of further spread of the parasite into unaffected regions, enhanced control strategies need to be developed. We recommend assessment of introduction pathways and dispersal, continuous monitoring of host abundance and distribution and the prevalence of flukes in intermediate and final hosts, as well as coordinated and concerted actions with neighbouring countries. This strategy could help to reduce potential negative impacts of this and other invasive parasites on host populations in Europe.

Recovery of Fascioloides magna (Digenea) population in spite of treatment programme? Screening of Galba truncatula (Gastropoda, Lymnaeidae) from Lower Austria.

During the past decade, Fascioloides magna, the large American liver fluke, has spread within free-living deer in wetlands of the Danube in Lower Austria. The aim of this study was to determine the current infection rates with F. magna and other digenean parasites in the intermediate host snail Galba truncatula from risk areas in Lower Austria. A total of 3444 G. truncatula were collected and examined microscopically for the presence of digenean trematodes. A set of randomly selected snails and isolated trematode stages were also investigated molecular biologically by PCR and sequencing. Digenean parasites were detected with a prevalence of 2.41% (1.83% Paramphistomoidea; 0.46% Echinostomatoidea; 0.09% Strigeida; 0.06% Plagiorchiida). F. magna was found with an overall prevalence of 0.23%, which may indicate a recovery of the parasite population in spite of an ongoing triclabendazole treatment programme. Moreover, high risk areas and a seasonality of infections were observed.

[Dreaded miasmas: Austrian scientists on board the frigate Novara pursue the secret of malaria]. / Der Schrecken der Miasmen: Österreichische Forscher an Bord der Fregatte Novara auf den Spuren der Malaria.

The term miasma was coined by Hippocrates of Kos. He introduced it to describe dangerous fumes from the ground that are transported by winds and can cause serious illnesses. Up until the late 19th century, miasmas from swamps were blamed for giving rise to and spreading so-called intermittent fever, cold fever, swamp fever or malaria. It was not until 1898 that the mosquito genus Anopheles was identified as the agent responsible for transmitting malaria. On 30 April 1857, the Austrian frigate Novara left Trieste to circumnavigate the globe. One of the medical officers on board, Dr. Eduard Schwarz, studied the composition of miasmas in detail and published his investigations in the medical section of the "Novara Chronicles" in 1861. Schwarz attributed the dreaded Nicobar fever to decomposition processes of organic material, which released dangerous miasmas that could only be eliminated by draining the swamps. Karl von Scherzer, the scientific director of the Novara expedition, collected exact information about the distribution range of the cinchona tree, which was said to be threatened with extinction, a rumor that later proved to be false. Quinine was gained from the bark of the tree and was used worldwide to treat malaria, pains, and fever.