Workshop on research priorities for management and treatment of angiostrongyliasis(1).

In a concluding session of the workshop, the participants developed a list of 115 research and outreach needs, outlining the top 5-7 needs in each of 8 areas (Table). For complete information, including presenter details and abstracts, visit the workshop website at www.hawaii.edu/cowielab/Angio%20website%20home.htm.

Population distribution and zoonotic potential of gastrointestinal helminths of wild rats Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus from Jamaica.

The population distribution and zoonotic potential of gastrointestinal helminths in a naturally infected population of wild rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) in Jamaica are described. One hundred and thirty (29.7%) of 437 rats captured in the study were infected: 104 (35%) of 297 R. rattus compared with 26 (18.6%) of 140 R. norvegicus. Nine species of gastrointestinal helminths were recovered: Raillietina sp. (0.2%), Trichuris sp. (0.2%), Rictularia sp. (0.7%), Syphacia obvelata (1.1%), Strongyloides ratti (1.4%), Hymenolepis diminuta (3.8%), Protospirura muricola (4.3%), Moniliformis moniliformis (11.2%), and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (14.2%). In a logistic model, the single risk factor identified for both M. moniliformis and P. muricola was R. rattus, compared with R. norvegicus (OR = 8.369 and 9.714, respectively). In comparison, the risk factor predicted for infection with N. brasiliensis was the northeastern section of Jamaica (OR = 11.000) compared with western Jamaica. Rictularia sp. represents a new geographic distribution record for the Caribbean region. Hymenolepis diminuta, M. moniliformis, Raillietina sp., and Rictularia sp. are potentially zoonotic, but only human infection with H. diminuta has been previously reported in the Caribbean.

Associations between two trematode parasites, an ectosymbiotic annelid, and Thiara (Tarebia) granifera (Gastropoda) in Jamaica.

This work describes associations of Thiara (Tarebia) granifera, its larval trematode community, and Chaetogaster limnaei limnaei at a freshwater reservoir in Jamaica. Larvae of 2 trematodes were present, i.e., a notocotylid (15.3%) and Philophthalmus sp. (1.3%), in 3,575 T. granifera examined. The prevalence of both infections increased with snail shell length (H  =  56, P < 0.01, H  =  23.1, P < 0.01, respectively). Only 3.0% (n  =  595) of infected snails possessed reproductive stages, compared with 90.3% (n  =  2,980) of uninfected snails (χ(2)  =  2,059.8, df  =  1, P < 0.001); both trematodes negatively impacted snail reproduction. Chaetogaster l. limnaei occurred within the mantle cavity of T. granifera with a prevalence of 2.3% (n  =  3,575); intensity ranged from 1 to 6 annelids. Notocotylid larvae occurred in 32.5% (n  =  83) of snails also harboring C. l. limnaei, compared with 14.9% (n  =  3,492) of snails lacking the annelid (χ(2)  =  18.127; P < 0.001). Chaetogaster l. limnaei appears not to influence the recruitment of egg-transmitted, notocotylid infections to snails. Ingestion of emergent cercariae by the annelid was observed; this may impact transmission of the parasite. The article presents the first report of a notocotylid and C. l. limnaei in T. granifera, and of Philophthalmus sp. in Jamaica.

Enzootic Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rats and snails after an outbreak of human eosinophilic meningitis, Jamaica.

After an outbreak in 2000 of eosinophilic meningitis in tourists to Jamaica, we looked for Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rats and snails on the island. Overall, 22% (24/109) of rats harbored adult worms, and 8% (4/48) of snails harbored A. cantonensis larvae. This report is the first of enzootic A. cantonensis infection in Jamaica, providing evidence that this parasite is likely to cause human cases of eosinophilic meningitis.

Parasitic infections associated with HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean

This review article seeks to highlight the significance for the Caribbean of major parasitic infections associated with AIDS, encourage awareness of these opportunistic parasites, and promote familiarity with appropriate diagnostic techniques and their clinical relevance. Specific agents considered include Pneumocystis carinii; Toxoplasma gondii; the enteric coccidians Crytosporidium spp., Isospora belli, and Cyclospora cayetanensis; the hemoflagellates Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi; the fungi Histoplasma capsulatum and Cryptococcus neoformans; the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis; and the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. These disease agents can be divided into two groups, the immune-regulated "endogenous" parasites (the protozoans P. carinii and T. gondii, and possibly the roundworm S. stercoralis) and intracellular parasites (including the enteric coccidia, hemoflagellates, and fungi). Both in the Caribbean and elsewhere, the endogenous parasites (particularly P. carinii and T. gondii) are the most troublesome for AIDS patients, partly because they are likely to be transmitted and establish a benign immunoregulated presence early in the subjects's life. Indeed, health management programs for AIDS patients often routinely include P. carinii prophylaxis, since nearly all such patients who survive long enough are expected to experience an episode of acute P. carinii infection. In contrast, there is no known epidemiologic association between AIDS and strongyloidiasis in the Caribbean, and the prevalence there of potentially opportunisitc hemoflagellates such as Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi is relatively low (AU)

Endoreplication in the ovary, testis, and intestine of strongyloides sterocalis

During development of the free-living adults of the human parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis, cells in certain tissues grow by endoreplication in which rounds of DNA replication occur without cell or nuclear division. The DNA content of individual nuclei was measured by microdensitometry of Feulgenstained preparations. In females, some ovarian cells have up to 800 times the haploid DNA content (800C). In males, some cells of the testis have up to 100C. Intestinal cells in both sexes have up to 16C, whereas most other somatic cells have 2C (AU)

Protein-losing enteropathy and trichuriasis - abstract

The phenomenon of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is defined as the abnormal loss of serum proteins into the gastrointestinal tract resulting from a variety of gastrointestinal abnormalities. Infestation of the large bowel and terminal ileum by adult Trichuris trichiura results in inflammatory reactions surrounding the sites of attachment. This study establishes Trichuris dysentery syndrome as one of the clinical disorders characterized by PLE. The clearance by the gut alpha-1-antitrypsin (OAT), a serum protein that resists proteolysis by digestive enzymes, was assessed in (i) subjects infected by the parasitic nematode and presenting with the Trichuris dysentery syndrome, and (ii) subjects manifesting no gastrointestinal diseases nor having conditions or receiving drugs likely to cause PLE. All subjects were within the age range 3 through 11 years, inclusive. A linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between clearance of O AT and adult worm count (r = 0.4, p<0.05). The daily loss of this amount of serum protein is likely to be a considerable part of the cost to the host of this chronic parasitic infection (AU)

The human public health significance of well-cared for dogs in Jamaica - abstract

It is axiomatic that straying and neglected domestic fissipeds represent a health risk to the human population in tropical zones through transmission of parasitic infection. The object of this study was to investigate the level of helminthic infection in better-cared-for dogs in a middle-class suburban community in Jamaica and to analyse the data in the context of human health risk. The study area was located adjacent to the Mona Campus of the UWI. A canine demographic survey was conducted, and fresh faecal deposits collected and analysed, using the modified Ritchie formol-ether technique. Replication of faecal samples was minimised as far as possible. Seventy-three per cent (n=93) of the households owned one or more dogs (av. = 1.2; range = 1-4); there were 82 dogs resident in the study area. The attitude of residents towards canine management suggests that the dog population was, in general, restricted to the residential estate, and most owners claimed to have dewormed their dogs at least as young animals. The following represents the prevalence and intensity of canine helminthic infection as determined by coproscopic analyses of 141 specimens; the prevalence was 26 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 19 for the parasite, uncinaria stenocephala; prevalence was 23 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 16 for the parasite, ancylostoma spp.; prevalence was 9 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 4 for the parasite, trichuris vulpis; prevalence was 8 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 9 for the parasite, toxocara canis; prevalence was 6 percent and mean intensity (epg/1pg) 10 for the parasite, strongyloides stercoralis; prevalence was 6 percent and mean intensity 15 for the parasite, spirocerca lupi; prevalence was 4 percent and mean intensity 13 for the parasite, apophallus sp.; prevalence was 1 percent and mean intensity 1 for the parasite, taeniid eggs. Apart from Apophallus sp. and, possibly, the Taeniid organisms,all these parasites infect humans. The comparatively high prevalence and intensity, and the multiple infections in dogs which are otherwise well-cared for, indicates the need for comprehensive canine and environmental monitoring in order to control pollution by eggs and larvae of helminth parasites with the indiscriminate defaecation by dogs in peri-domestic areas (AU)

A survey of intestinal helminths of well-cared-for dogs in Jamaica, and their potential public health significance

This study investigates the level of helminthic infestation in better-cared-for dogs in a middle-class community in suburban Kingston. A canine zoographic study was conducted, and fresh faecal deposits were collected and analysed for helminth life-cycle stages. The survey indicated that 73 percent (n=93) of households in the study area owned one dog or more (mean=1.4). Resident's attitudes towards canine management suggested that the dog population was, in general, restricted to the residential estate, and most owners claimed to have dewormed their dogs at least as young animals. Of 141 faecal specimens, 58 percent contained eggs or larvae of one or more of eight helminths: Uncinaria stenocephala (26 percent), Ancylostoma sp. (23 percent), Trichuris vulpis (9 percent), Toxocara canis (8 percent), Spirocerca lupi (6 percent), Strongyloides sp. (6 percent), Apophallus sp. (4 percent) and taeniids (1 percent). There was a high level of multiple infection in the host animals, with approximately one fifth of the infected samples containing three or more helminth types. Infection intensity was apparently low, but some dogs harboured heavy worm loads. (AU)