Anisakidae in beluga whales Delphinapterus leucas from Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait.

A total of 190 nematodes was isolated from the stomachs of 13 beluga whales Delphinapterus leucas from the Arctic part of Hudson Bay and Hudson Strait. Infection intensity ranged from 1 to 57 specimens and prevalence was 84.62%. Morphological examination of the nematodes revealed the presence of 3 species: Pseudoterranova decipiens sensu lato, Contracaecum osculatum s.l., and Anisakis simplex s.l. Molecular analysis by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) resulted in the identification of 4 species: Pseudoterranova bulbosa, Contracaecum osculatum A and C, and Anisakis simplex sensu stricto. The nematodes were present in 3 developmental stages: L3 (159 specimens), L4 (16 larvae), and adults (15 worms: 11 males and 4 females).

Prevalence of zoonotic anisakid nematodes in Inuit-harvested fish and mammals from the eastern Canadian Arctic.

Human anisakidosis is a recognized Arctic zoonosis that is directly related to the consumption of traditional Inuit foods, particularly raw fish. The epidemiology of infections with the zoonotic anisakid nematodes Anisakis simplex and Pseudoterranova decipiens was investigated from August 2007 to July 2009 in Inuit-harvested fish and marine mammals from Inuit regions of Nunavik, Nunavut, and Nunatsiavut, Canada. Fish were tested for anisakid larvae using the pepsin-HCl digestion method, and the stomachs or stomach contents of beluga whales, walruses, and three seal species were examined for anisakids. Anisakids were found in seven of eight fish species, as well as in ringed seals (18.2%; 31/170), bearded seals (75.0%; 12/16), and beluga whales (78.9%; 15/19), but not walruses (0%; 0/15). In fish, the odds of being infected with A. simplex and/or P. decipiens was 68.6 (95% confidence interval, 11.6-627.7) times higher in marine fish than in anadromous fish, after adjusting for length of fish. Negative binomial models were created for animal species with large enough sample sizes and parasite prevalence estimates to assess risk factors associated with anisakid abundance. In seals, the only risk factor significantly associated with increasing anisakid abundance was increasing length (p < 0.01), while in beluga whales, the only significant risk factor was year of capture (p = 0.03). In fish, length was the variable most commonly associated with increased anisakid larval abundance, with longer fish having significantly higher larval abundances than shorter fish of the same species. The presence of A. simplex and P. decipiens in bearded seals, ringed seals, and beluga whales from Inuit hunting grounds suggests that they likely act as definitive hosts for these parasites in these environments. With respect to zoonotic disease risk associated with Inuit country foods, among the species of fish examined, Atlantic tomcod, polar cod, and sculpins represented the greatest risk of foodborne disease from A. simplex and P. decipiens.

Anisakid nematodes in dolphins (Cetacea: Delphinidae) from the Baltic Sea area.

Dolphins are rarely observed in the Baltic Sea, making only sporadic appearances as a result of their migrations. The study included six specimens: four white-beaked dolphins Lagenorhynchus albirostris and two striped dolphins Stenella coeruleoalba. Their gastrointestinal tracts were found to contain the nematodes Anisakis simplex (in both species) and Contracaecum sp. (only in the white-beaked dolphins). This is the first record of Anisakidae nematodes in dolphins found in the Baltic Sea.

A global checklist of the parasites of the harbor porpoise Phocoena phocoena, a critically-endangered species, including new findings from the Baltic Sea.

The common harbor porpoise is a widely-distributed marine mammal with three known subspecies, including P. phocoena phocoena, with a clearly distinct and critically endangered (CR) subpopulation from the Baltic Sea (Baltic Proper). As part of an assessment of the condition and health threats of these mammals, it is important to conduct parasitological monitoring. The aim of the study was therefore to compare the data on porpoise parasitofauna from this subpopulation with those on porpoises from other areas. The study included 37 individuals from 1995 to 2019; eight species of parasites were found (prevalence 83.8%, mean intensity 724.2, range 2-3940), with a predominance of lung nematodes - Stenurus minor (94.7%), Torynurus convolutus (69.4%), Pseudalius inflexus (63.8%), Halocercus invaginatus (22.2%); the highest intensity was recorded for S. minor (989, 53-2928). Two species of Anisakidae (Anisakis simplex - 33.3%, Contracaecum sp. - 20.0%) were found in the digestive tracts, which were a new record for this population. The fluke Campula oblonga was found in the livers of 31.3% of porpoises. The tapeworm Diphylobothrium stemmacephalum was also recorded in the intestine of one individual; this is typical for these hosts, but previously undetected in the Baltic subpopulation. Parasites coexisted in numerous hosts, constituting a heavy burden for them. The obtained data were compared with those from the P. phocoena parasitofauna from other regions, based on a compiled checklist (1809-2021) including all species of porpoise parasites (55 taxa). Compared to the worldwide porpoise parasitofauna checklist, the number of parasites found in the nominative subspecies (Baltic Proper subpopulation) is small: including only 10 taxa (eight in the current study). These species are typical of porpoises and usually the most common; however, the level of infection of Baltic porpoises (intensity and total parasite load) is very high, which can undoubtedly have a negative impact on their condition and overall health.

The ERalpha coactivator, HER4/4ICD, regulates progesterone receptor expression in normal and malignant breast epithelium.

The HER4 intracellular domain (4ICD) is a potent estrogen receptor (ERalpha) coactivator with activities in breast cancer and the developing mammary gland that appear to overlap with progesterone receptor (PgR). In fact, 4ICD has recently emerged as an important regulator and predictor of tamoxifen response, a role previously thought to be fulfilled by PgR. Here we investigated the possibility that the 4ICD coactivator regulates PgR expression thereby providing a mechanistic explanation for their partially overlapping activities in breast cancer. We show that 4ICD is both sufficient and necessary to potentiate estrogen stimulation of gene expression. Suppression of HER4/4ICD expression in the MCF-7 breast tumor cell line completely eliminated estrogen stimulated expression of PgR. In addition, the HER4/4ICD negative MCF-7 variant, TamR, failed to express PgR in response to estrogen. Reintroduction of wild-type HER4 but not the gamma-secretase processing mutant HER4V673I into the TamR cell line restored PgR expression indicating that 4ICD is an essential PgR coactivator in breast tumor cells. These results were substantiated in vivo using two different physiologically relevant experimental systems. In the mouse mammary gland estrogen regulates expression of PgR-A whereas expression of PgR-B is estrogen independent. Consistent with a role for 4ICD in estrogen regulated PgR expression in vivo, PgR-A, but not PgR-B, expression was abolished in HER4-null mouse mammary glands during pregnancy. Coexpression of PgR and 4ICD is also commonly observed in ERalpha positive breast carcinomas. Using quantitative AQUA IHC technology we found that 4ICD potentiated PgR expression in primary breast tumors and the highest levels of PgR expression required coexpression of ERalpha and the 4ICD coactivator. In summary, our results provide compelling evidence that 4ICD is a physiologically important ERalpha coactivator and 4ICD cooperates with ERalpha to potentiate PgR expression in the normal and malignant breast. We propose that direct coupling of these signaling pathways may have important implications for mammary development, breast carcinogenesis, and patient response to endocrine therapy.

Identification of lipids in the cuticle of the parasitic nematode Anisakis simplex and the somatic tissues of the Atlantic cod Gadus morhua.

The main aim of this work was to assign the cuticular lipids identified in a parasitic nematode and to distinguish those originating from its host. The hypothesis that long-chained fatty acids and sterols are imported by the parasite in the absence of certain enzymes was also tested. The organisms (Anisakis simplex and Gadus morhua) were extracted in petroleum ether and dichloromethane. Matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) was used to identify unknown components, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) to verify recognized groups of lipids. The lipid classes identified in the surface layer were free saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, triacylglycerols, sterols and non-polar sphingolipids (ceramides, sphingoid bases). The most abundant fraction consisted of fatty acids. The predominant saturated acids were tetradecanoic acid in the petroleum ether extract of A. simplex, hexadecanoic acid in the dichloromethane extract of A. simplex, and also the polyunsaturated octadecahexaenoic and octadecatrienoic acids in both extracts of the parasitic nematode. The mass spectrum revealed the presence of fatty acids with different numbers of carbons, and with odd and even numbers of unsaturated bonds. The MALDI-TOF mass spectrum also identified triacylglycerols (TAGs). The dominant short-chain TAGs were CoCoCy:(1), CoCoPg and Bu0:0B:(6). The majority of TAGs were found in the ether and dichloromethane extracts of A. simplex. Sterols were the least common class of lipids found in the nematode extracts; most likely, this is the fraction that is entirely incorporated from the host organism because of the parasite's inability to synthesize them. MALDI-TOF also identified non-polar sphingolipids--ceramides and sphingoid bases. The signals due to N-octanoyl-D-erythro-octasphinganine (m/z 288.3) and N-tetranoyl-D-erythro-tetradecasphinganine (m/z 316.4) were dominant on the mass spectra; quite a large number of short-chain non-polar sphingolipids were also identified.

Effect of temperature, NaCl concentration and aeration of solutions on the survivability of II stage larvae of Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964.

Determinations were carried out for the effect of temperature, NaCl concentration and aeration of solutions on the survivability of stage II larvae of Contracaecum rudolphii nematode. Stage II larvae hatched from egg shells were placed in tap water as well as in 1% and 3% solutions of NaCl. Part of the culture was run on Petri dishes and aerated each day. The second part was transferred into high beakers and left non-aerated. All cultures were run in three replications at temperatures of 4, 10, 20 and 30 degrees C. Microscopic observations of the survivability and activity of the larvae were conducted every day in all samples. The larvae incubated for 30 days at a temperature of 4 degrees C were viable and non-motile. The longest life span was noted in the case of the larvae incubated in the aerated 1% solution of NaCl at a temperature of 10 degrees C, which also recorded the lowest mobility. The shortest life span was reported for the larvae incubated in the non-aerated 3% solution of NaCl at a temperature of 30 degrees C. The results obtained in this study indicate that the II stage larvae of C. rudolphii may live both in both fresh and salt waters and a significant factor determining their life span is water saturation with oxygen.

Experimental infection of Carassius auratus (L., 1758) with the second stage larvae of the nematode Contracaecum rudolphii Hartwich, 1964.

Susceptibility of the goldfish to infection with the newly hatched second stage larvae of Contracaecum rudolphii was investigated under laboratory condition. A week after the larvae had been placed in the fish tank, the autopsied goldfish showed the nematodes in their intestine lumen. The majority of the larvae were dead. In week 2 and 3 of exposure, the larvae were being found exclusively in the intestinal wall; in week 4 and 5, the larvae, in addition to being present in the intestinal wall, were also found in the body cavity. No larvae were found in the fish autopsied in subsequent weeks.

[Antioxidants of Contracaecum rudolphii (Nematoda)]. / Antyoksydanty Contracaecum rudolphii (Nematoda).

Contracaecum rudolphii is the parasitic nematode of fish-eating birds. In the extracts from female, male and larvae L3 and L4 isolated from the alimentary tracts of black cormorants the activity of five antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT) and the content of ascorbate and total antioxidative status (TAS) were determined. They can be put in order according to the activity growth: GPX, SOD, GST, CAT and GR. The activity of GPX were very low in the nematodes' extracts (1.23-7.67 microU/mg). CAT had higher activity (0.47-0.72 U/mg). The activity of GR was the highest (50.51-69.88 U/mg). SOD activity in the female was higher by ca. 50% than in the male while GST activity was at similar levels. GR and CAT activities were higher by ca. 30% in the male than in the female nematodes. GST and GPX activity and TAS in larvae L3 were significantly lower than in the adult nematodes or in L4 larvae. The activity of GPX, GR and CAT was lower in L4 larvae than in the adult male (p<0.05). The content of ascorbate was almost the same in all stages of parasite development (0.21-0.38 mg/g). The above results indicate differences in antioxidant systems related to both the sex and the developmental stage of C. rudolphii.

[Professor Wincenty Wisniewski's complex experiments about circulation of parasites in the ecosystem of Lake Druzno as a model for activities of the Ichtyoparasitological Section of the Student Scientific Association at the University of Gdansk]. / Kompleksowe badania prof. Wincentego Wisniewskiego nad krazeniem pasozytów w ekosystemie jeziora Druzno jako model dzialan Sekcji Ichtioparazytologicznej Studenckiego Kola Naukowego Biologów Uniwersytetu Gdanskiego.

Druzno Lake is hypertrophic basin located on Zulawy polders (delta of Vistula). Due to the high number of free-living and parasitic species, this lake is unique place for parasitological research. Professor Wisniewski valued Druzno Lake as great area for studying the parasitic species life-cycles. He and his research team lead intensive studies on parasites' circulation in environment. Models compiled by prof. Wisniewski are basal for work of Ichtyoparasitological Section of Student Scientific Association at University of Gdansk.

Hydrolases of Hysterothylacium aduncum (Nematoda).

BACKGROUND: Enzymatic activity is an indicator of an organism's metabolic rate which depends on, i.e., environmental conditions, developmental stage, physiological stage, and sex. The API ZYM test was applied to compare activities of 19 hydrolases of female and male Hysterothylacium aduncum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sexually mature nematodes were isolated from eelpout individuals caught in the Gulf of Gdansk. Enzymatic activity of the hydrolases and the protein content was determined in nematode extracts using API ZYM and Bradford's method, respectively. RESULTS: The females and males tested showed a total of 13 enzymes to be active. The males showed additionally the presence of alpha-fucosidase. Acidic and alkaline phosphatases had very high activities in both sexes; short-chain fatty acid esterases, leucine and valine aminopeptidases, alpha-glucosidase, and N-acetylglucosaminidase were highly active. H. aduncum showed no trypsin- and chymotrypsin-specific activities; similarly, no activity of alpha-galactosidase, alpha-mannosidase, and beta-glucuronidase was revealed. Except for lipase (C14), hydrolases were more active in females than in males, which is related to metabolic rate being higher in females due to their reproductive function. CONCLUSION: Comparison of the results obtained with earlier data produced with API ZYM allowed suggesting that the hydrolase pattern may be more affected by habitat in the host than by the taxonomic affiliation of nematode.

[Contamination of playgrounds in Gdansk city with parasite eggs]. / Skazenie placów zabaw Gdanska jajami pasozytów.

INTRODUCTION: Nematodes of Toxocara genus are common parasites of dogs and cats. These animals are the main source of dangerous zoonoses. The main source of toxocarosis among children are sandpits which are contaminated with dog and cat faeces. We examined the contamination of playgrounds with parasite eggs in Gdatisk city, and frequency of infections of dogs and cats in the area under study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples of sand were taken from a surface of sandpits (to depth about 3 cm). All samples were collected in amount of 100 g. Samples of faeces were taken from various places of the playgrounds. Two methods were applied: flotation and decantation by Fülleborn-Willis in modification by W6jcik. RESULTS: Out of 162 sand samples examined 21 (13%) were positive. Out of 54 faeces samples examined 23 (42.6%) were positive. We observed some differences in the degree of parasite species occurrence. The most dominated were Toxocara spp. (6.2% in sand samples and 11% in faeces samples) and Toxascaris leonina (11% in faeces). Eggs of Uncinaria stenocephala and Ancylostoma canimum, as well as proglotides of Dipylidium caninum were found sporadically.

Parasite fauna of the eel, Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758), from the Polish part of the Vistula Lagoon.

INTRODUCTION: Eel is one of the most valuable commercial fish species of the Vistula Lagoon. For this reason its infection by non-indigenous species of parasites is the subject of the interest of sciencists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 90 eel specimens caught in the Polish part of the Vistula Lagoon were examined over the period of May-August 2005. The fish were subjected to standard procedures of parasitological examination and parasite identification. The fish were divided into two length classes: smaller and larger than 50 cm. To assess the effects of parasites on fish condition, the Fulton coefficient, expressed with the formula: WF = G x L(-3) x 100, was calculated. RESULTS: The fish were found to be hosts to 17 parasite taxa. The Ciliophora were represented by Trichodinella epizootica (Raabe, 1950); the Myxozoa by Myxidium giardi Cépede, 1906; the Digenea by Bunodera luciopercae (Müller, 1784), Deropristis inflata (Molin, 1859), Diplostomum spp., and Ichthyocotylurus platycephalus (Creplin, 1852); the Cestoda by Bothriocephalus claviceps (Goeze, 1782), Proteocephalus macrocephalus (Creplin, 1815), and Proteocephalus sp.; the Nematoda by Anguillicola crassus Kuwahara, Niimi et Itagaki, 1974, Camallanus lacustris (Zoega, 1776), C. truncatus (Rudolphi, 1814), and Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802); the Acanthocephala by Acanthocephalus lucii (Müller, 1776) and Corynosoma strumosum (Rudolphi, 1802); the Hirudinea by Piscicola geometra (Linnaeus, 1761); and the Copepoda by Ergasilus sieboldi Nordmann, 1832. All fishes were infected, and the mean intensity of all parasites was 4.8 inds. The nematode Anguillicola crassus was the most frequent parasite (67.8%, 4.2 inds), represented by all developmental stages, but mostly by adult specimens. The fish condition coefficient was somewhat higher in the eel larger than 50 cm (0.1746) than in those smaller than 50 cm (0.1734); in addition, only Anguillicola crassus-free fish showed a higher condition coefficient (0.1861), compared to the infected specimens (0.1715).

Prevalence of anisakin nematodes in fish from Southern Baltic Sea.

Nematodes from the superfamily Ascaridoidea (families Anisakidae and Raphidascarididae) are worldwide distributed parasites. Their live cycles include many species of water invertebrates and teleostean fish as intermediate hosts, and fish, sea mammals or fish-eating birds being definitive hosts. Humans can be infected with some of these parasites after consumption of raw or wrongly processed fish. The parasitological investigations of fish (herring, cod and flatfish) from southern Baltic (ICES 24-26) provided in the years 80 and 90 showed their infection with larvae of several anisakid species: Anisakis simplex s. str., Contracaecum osculatum C and Hysterothylacium auctum. Sporadically Pseudoterranova decipiens and Raphidascaris acus were also found. Larvae of Anisakis simplex were noted mainly in herrings, C. osculatum primarily in cods and H. auctum in flounders. Additionally, preserved herrings (marinated, smoked) were also investigated and sporadically live larvae of A. simplex were found. The main etiological agent of human anisakidosis worldwide is A. simplex. Although the live cycle of this nematode cannot be completed in the Baltic Sea--this nematode is brought to the Baltic by infected herring migrating from the North Sea for spawning in coastal waters of the Southern Baltic--the prevalence and intensity of infection with larvae of this nematode species were the highest in fish investigated by us. The results obtained suggest the possibility of the human infection with A. simplex larvae in Poland.

[The possibility of completing the life cycle of Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802) and Contracaecum rudolphii (Hartwich, 1964) (Nematoda) at the waters of Vistula Lagoon]. / Mozliwosc zamkniecia cyklu rozwojowego Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802) i Contracaecum rudolphii (Hartwich, 1964) (Nematoda) w wodach Zalewu Wislanego.

The probabilities of completing the life cycle of Hysterothylacium aduncum and Contracaecum rudolphii at the water of Vistula Lagoon was considered. Hysterothylacium aduncum is a parasite of some fish species from Vistula Lagoon and Contracaecum rudolphii is common parasite of cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo from colony of Katy Rybackie.

Activity of selected hydrolases in excretion-secretion products and extracts of adult Contracaecum rudolphii.

BACKGROUND: Enzymes contained in excretion-secretion (ES) products of parasites released to the environment play multiple roles: they facilitate hatching and moulting of larvae, enable a parasite to migrate within tissues, inhibit blood coagulation, defend the parasite from host's immunological response, and enhance feeding and nutrition. The aim of the study was to determine hydrolase activity in ES products and extracts from adult Contracaecum rudolphii. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult nematodes were isolated from intestines of black cormorants nesting at Katy Rybackie (the Vistula Lagoon). Nematode batches of 30 individuals each were placed in 5 ml portions of antibiotic-enriched physiological salt solution and incubated for 24 hours at 37 degrees C. After incubation, the solutions containing ES products were collected and dialysed for 24 h at 4 degrees C against distilled water. Extracts were obtained by homogenising the nematodes with the physiological salt solution (0.9% NaCl). The homogenate was centrifuged for 10 minutes at 3000xg. Enzyme activities were assayed in the supernatant. The enzymatic activity in ES products and homogenates was determined with the API ZYM kit (Bio Merieux S.A., Lyon, France). Hydrolase activities were expressed in volumetric units (nmol) of the hydrolysed substrate. RESULTS: The nematode ES products showed 10 hydrolases to be active. The highest activity was that of esterases, except for lipase the activity of which was not detected. Among glucosidases, the highest activity was shown by alpha-glucosidase, much lower activities being typical of beta-galactosidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. The remaining glucosidases proved inactive. Among proteases, leucine arylamidase and valine arylamidase were found to be active only. The nematode extracts revealed activities of 15 hydrolases. The highest activity was typical of esterases. Among glucosidases, the highest activity was typical of alpha-glucosidase, beta-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. Activities of the remaining glucosidases were much lower. No activity of alpha-galactosidase was detected. Among proteolytic enzymes, leucine arylamidase proved the most active, while activities of valine arylamidase and chymotrypsin were much lower. The remaining proteases revealed no detectable activity. CONCLUSIONS: The ES products of adult C. rudolphii were found to contain active hydrolases which may damage the epithelium lining the host's alimentary tract. Activities of almost all glucosidases in the parasite's extracts suggests that, like in most nematodes, the parasite's main energy source is derived from carbohydrate metabolism.

Helminth communities of European eels Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) from the Vistula Lagoon and Puck Bay, Poland.

Within 2001-2002 a total of 621 eel Anguilla anguilla (L., 1758) (488 from the Vistula Lagoon and 133 from the Puck Bay) were examined. Fifteen parasite taxa were recovered: Pseudodactylogyrus anguillae (Yin et Sproston, 1948), Brachyphallus crenatus (Rudolphi, 1802), Deropristis inflata (Molin, 1859), Diplostomum spp., Bothriocephalus claviceps (Goeze, 1782), Proteocephalus macrocephalus (Creplin, 1825), Anguillicola crassus (Kuwahara, Niimi et Itagaki, 1974), Camallanus lacustris (Zoega, 1776), Cystidicola farionis Fischer, 1798, Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802), Raphidascaris acus (Bloch, 1779), Acanthocephalus anguillae (Müller, 1780), A. lucii (Müller, 1776), Echinorhynchus gadi Müller, 1776, and Pomphorhynchus laevis (Müller, 1776), representing Monogenea, Digenea, Cestoda, Nematoda, and Acanthocephala, respectively. Ten of these taxa occurred in the Vistula Lagoon, while fourteen were noted in the Puck Bay. P. anguillae, Diplostomum spp., C. lacustris, C. farionis and P. laevis were not found in the lagoon eels, while B. crenatus did not occur in the bay. Anguillicola crassus was the most frequently found parasite (Vistula Lagoon: prevalence 75%, mean intensity 6.9 specimens; Puck Bay: 74.4%, and 8.3 specimens, respectively). Pseudodactylogyrus anguillae was recorded for the first time in the Puck Bay.

Helminthofauna of Ohrid gudgeon (Gobio ohridanus Karaman, 1924) from the Lake Ohrid, Macedonia.

Total, 94 specimens of gudgeon (Gobio ohridanus Karaman, 1924) from the Macedonian part of the Lake Ohrid were examined and 61 fishes (64.89%) were infected with parasites. The presence of 4 parasite species was established: Dactylogyrus cryptomeres f. typica (Monogenea), Cystidicoloides tenuissima and Philometra ovata (Nematoda), and Pomphorhynchus laevis (Acanthocephala). The highest prevalence and intensity of infection was with Dactylogyrus cryptomeres f. typica (59.57%; mean intensity 6.07). The lowest one was with Cystidicoloides tenuissima and Philometra ovata (2.13%; 1.0). Dactylogyrus cryptomeres f. typica is recorded for the first time in the ichthyoparasitofauna of Lake Ohrid and Macedonia.

Effects of ivermectin and albendazole against Anisakis simplex in vitro and in guinea pigs.

The activity of ivermectin and albendazole against larval Anisakis simplex was tested in vitro and in experimentally infected guinea pigs. Before drug exposure the medium for half of the larvae was adjusted to pH 2.0 with 1 N HCl, whereas the other half was held at pH 7.0. To these solutions, ivermectin was added to full concentrations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, or 200 microg/ml, and for albendazole, 300, 400, and 500 microg/ml. Animals from group I were given 0.1 ml of 1% (3.3 mg/kg) ivermectin, whereas guinea pigs from group II were each given 5-7 mg (16.6-23.3 mg/kg) of albendazole orally. The efficacy of both drugs against L, A. simplex was high in vitro and in vivo against the larvae in different organs of guinea pigs.

The enzymes of glycogen and trehalose catabolism from Hysterothylacium aduncum (Nematoda: Anisakidae).

The activity of alpha-amylase, glucoamylase, maltase, trehalase, glycogen phosphorylase and trehalose phosphorylase was measured in extracts from larval and adult Hysterothylacium aduncum (Rudolphi, 1802), parasitic nematode of marine fish. The content of glycogen and trehalose in the worm's body was also determined. Both the hydrolytic and phosphorolytic paths of sugar decomposition are present in H. aduncum. In the larvae glycogen was utilised mainly via the hydrolytic path. In the adults the activities of phosphorolytic enzymes were higher than in the larvae. In both stages the activity of trehalose phosphorylase is present. In adult nematodes it is uncommonly high. The dominating sugars in the adults were glucose and glycogen, while in the larvae it was trehalose.