The role of chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) as intermediate hosts in the transmission of Hymenolepis microps (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) from the willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus (Aves: Tetraonidae).

The cestode Hymenolepis microps is an intestinal parasite of tetraonid birds, including the willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus). This parasite is able to maintain a high prevalence and intensity throughout the year, even in a subarctic environment in bird populations with relatively low host densities, indicating effective transmission routes. Willow ptarmigan consume mainly vegetal material and active consumption of invertebrates is confined to the first two or three weeks of life. Ptarmigan are infected by different species of ectoparasites, of which two species of feather lice, Lagopoecus affinis and Goniodes lagopi, are the most abundant. In this study, we explored the hypothesis that feather lice may be suitable intermediate hosts for H. microps. We applied histological techniques and light microscopy to investigate lice for the presence of larval cestode stages (cysticercoids). We found 12 cysticercoid-like structures inside chewing lice collected on L. lagopus hosts harbouring H. microps. In addition, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of Ischnocera lice DNA, targeting the 18S rRNA gene of the cestode, showed positive results for two different short fragments of the 18S rRNA gene of H. microps which were sequenced from lice collected on birds. Both independent lines of evidence support the hypothesis that Ischnocera lice might be suitable intermediate hosts in the life cycle of H. microps in L. lagopus.

[A rare case of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a small child]. / Nadir bir olgu olarak küçük bir çocukta Hymenolepis diminuta enfeksiyonu.

Unlike Hymenolepis nana that transmits directly from person to person, the transmission of Hymenolepis diminuta to human is via accidentally ingesting of arthropods carrying cysticercoid larvae as intermediate host. In places with poor hygienic conditions, this cestod may cause seldom infections especially in children. Studies carried out on various populations have reported the prevalence rate of H.diminuta between 0.001% and 5.5%. Although the reported cases are mostly children, the disease can be seen in every age group. In this report, a pediatric case of H.diminuta infection is presented. A twenty one-month-old male patient with the symptoms of vomiting 3-4 times a day along with mud-like diarrhea continuing for a week was admitted to the pediatric outpatient clinic. According to the history, it was learned that the house where he lived was above a barn and there was a history of insect swallowing. Laboratory findings revealed iron-deficiency anemia. The macroscopic appearance of the stool was in a pale clay-like form, and by direct microscopic examination with lugol solution, 70-75 µm in diameter, thick-shelled and six central hookleted eggs that are characteristic for H.diminuta were identified. A six-day course of oral niclosamide was administered to the patient beginning with 500 mg on the first day and 250 mg on the following five days, together with the treatment for the iron deficiency anemia. After fifteen days, the oral niclosamide treatment was repeated. No H.diminuta eggs were detected in the parasitological examination performed one month after completion of the second round of treatment. This case has been presented to call attention to the importance of patient anamnesis and microscopic examination in the diagnosis of H.diminuta infection which is a rarely seen parasitosis.

[Parasitological monitoring as part of epidemiological surveillance of helminthiasis in the Russian Federation].

The paper presents data on the prevalence of helminthiasis in Russia on the basis of the State Reports on the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Russian Federation. It comparatively characterizes morbidity rates in 2010-2012. Morbidity analysis has revealed the main reasons for the prevalence of parasitic diseases and the possible ways of their elimination.

[An analysis of the results of clinical trials of praziquantel analogs in intestinal cestode and trematode infections. 1. The treatment of intestinal cestode infections (diphyllobothriasis, taeniasis, hymenolepiasis)]. / Analiz rezul'tatov klinicheskikh ispytanii analogov prazikvantelia pri kishechnykh tsestodozakh i trematodozakh. 1. Lechenie kishechnykh tsestodozov (difillobrotrioz, teniidozy, gimenolepidoz).

The studies have demonstrated a high efficacy of prasiquantel in therapy of enteric cestodiases. No differences in the efficacy and tolerance of prasiquantel analogs manufactured by various pharmaceutic firms (azinox, CIS; pikiton, China; biltricide, Bayer, India; cesol, Merk, India; cisticide, Merk India) were detected. Prasiquantel single dose (15 mg/kg) efficacies in diphyllobothriasis, taeniarhynchiasis, and taeniasis made up 91.4, 98.5, and 100%, respectively. In hymenolepiasis the efficacy of a total dose (40 and 50 mg/kg given twice with a 10-day interval) was 88.9%.

[Parasitoses of food origin in Tunisia]. / Les parasitoses d'origine alimentaire en Tunisie.

About diet parasitosis, the author distincts three origins of contamination: telluric, proteinic, and both. The telluric parasitosis are the most frequent, intestinal (by helminths or protozoairs) as visceral (hydatidosis). The frequence of these parasitosis is subjected to changes in the different areas, in intensity, but also in the nature of identified parasite. Toxoplasmosis, transmitted by the two mods occurs in Tunisia. The population average percentage protection is however no sufficient to prevent the risk of contamination during pregnancy.

[Reinfection and recidive in Hymenolepis nana infections (author's transl)]. / Reinfektion und Rezidiv bei Hymenolepis nana-Infektionen

The excretion of Hymenolepis nana eggs begins in CF-1 mice between the 11th and 12th day irrespective of the wormload. In Swiss mice, however, the onset of egg excretion can be retarded up to the 15th day if the number of parasites is high. The re-appearance of eggs after treatment occurs between the 6th and 9th day using an exact diagnostic method. If the number of parasites is low, than re-appearance of eggs occurs later than if it is high. An infection with eggs protects mice for several months against a re-infection with eggs but not against one with cysticercoids. If cysticercoids are used to establish the primary infection no immune reaction against a re-infection develops. If eggs reappear in the faeces after treatment then the following conclusion can be drawn: Eggs reappear within a week after treatment then it must be a relapse. Eggs reappear during the second week then it can be either a relapse or a re-infection. Eggs reappear at three weeks or later then it can only be due to a re-infection.