Investigation of Toxoplasma gondii in semen, testicle and epididymis tissues of primo-infected cats (Felis catus).

This study aimed to investigate the presence of Toxoplasma gondii in semen, testicle and epididymis tissues of cats experimentally infected by this coccidium. A total of 12 male felines without a definite breed that were of reproductive age and serologically negative for T. gondii were selected and distributed to the following three experimental groups: GI, inoculated with 600 tissue cysts of the P strain of T. gondii (isolate III); GII, inoculated with 2×105 tachyzoites of the RH strain (isolate I); and GIII, not inoculated (control group). Prior to inoculation (day -7 and 0) and on post inoculation days (PIDs) 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 70, all felines were subjected to assessments of anti-T. gondii IgG by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and assessments of parasitemia. Collection of semen (electroejaculation) was performed on the specified dates, followed by nested PCR and bioassays in mice to detect T. gondii. On PID 70, all 12 felines were orchiectomized, and the presence of the parasite in the testicles and epididymides was evaluated by nested PCR, murine bioassay, and histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. All felines inoculated with T. gondii (GI and GII) seroconverted to the toxoplasmic infection after PID 14; on PID 7, seroconversion of three felines (P4, RH2 and RH4) could observed, and all exhibited detectable titers by PID 64. The GII felines exhibited greater serological titers compared with GI felines. The maximum serological titer (IgG) was observed in feline RH3 (titer 1024), while in other experimental felines, a maximum titer of 256 was detected. Parasitemic peaks were diagnosed in all felines of groups I and II from PIDs 7-42. A total of five parasitemic peaks were diagnosed in GI and nine in GII. In none of the experimental time points was the presence of T. gondii diagnosed in seminal samples collected from the felines or in the testicle or epididymis tissues collected from these animals. Thus, sexual transmission in domestic cats does not appear to be a major route of T. gondii infection, possibly demonstrating the tendency of this protozoan to develop a response directed to the formation and excretion of oocysts in the feces of these definite hosts, which act as its main route of perpetuation in the environment.

Parasitism and inflammation in ear skin and in genital tissues of symptomatic and asymptomatic male dogs with visceral leishmaniasis.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is transmitted through vector, although venereal transmission has been suggested. This study aimed to compare the parasitic loads and inflammatory processes in genital tissues with ear skin from seropositive male dogs. Forty-five seropositive dogs were separated into groups containing symptomatic (n = 23) and asymptomatic (n = 22) animals. The control group (n = 2) healthy animals with seronegative and negative results in direct parasitological test. Samples of ear tip skin, prepuce, glans penis, testis, epididymis, and prostate were collected for evaluation of parasitic load and inflammatory infiltrate. Although ear tip skin was the most intensely parasitized, prepuce and epididymis revealed no difference in parasitism when compared with ear tip skin (P > 0.05). Parasitic loads in testis and prostate were lower than other tissues (P < 0.05). Parasitism in glans penis was high, similar to prepuce and epididymis, but lower than ear tip skin. High parasitism was more frequent in symptomatic dogs than asymptomatic animals. Severe inflammatory processes were more frequent within the symptomatic animals compared with asymptomatic and more predominant in prepuce and epididymis. Ear tip skin and genital tissues presented signs of chronic inflammation. There were weak and moderate positive correlations between parasitic loads and inflammatory processes. Our results demonstrate that, likewise with the ear tip skin, the genital of seropositive dogs can carry a large number of Leishmania infantum amastigotes and this process are more intense in symptomatic animals. These data have important implications for understanding the possibility of venereal transmission of CVL.

Dioctophyma renale in dog's testicle / Dioctophyma renale em testículo de cão

Background: Dioctophyma renale is a giant worm, nematode parasite, which infest dogs, rarely humans or other domestic and wild species. The life cycle is complex and infestation occurs by ingestion of aquatic oligochaete (annelid), fish and frogs. This nematode normally installs in the right kidney of dog, however, there are reports of ectopic migration, such as, for example, in the stomach, abdominal cavity, liver, bladder, ureters, urethra, scrotum, uterus, ovaries, mesenteric lymph nodes, mammary gland, thoracic and pericardial cavity. The aim of this work is to report the location of erratic Dioctophyma renale in the left testicle of a dog. Case: A mongrel dog, about 4 years old, weighing 7.7 kg, rescued from the street after being hit by a car was admitted at the Veterinary Clinical Hospital of CAV / UDESC. Clinical examination showed no significant changes, except for the crackling of pelvic bones, suggesting pelvic fracture. Pelvic radiography and abdominal ultrasound were requested, and complete blood count as pre-anesthetic evaluation was performed. The blood count showed leukocytosis with neutrophilia with a regenerative left shift. The patient was referred for pelvic fixation and in the same procedure orchiectomy was performed. The premedication was acepromazine 0.05 mg/kg and morphine 0.5 mg/kg, administrated intramuscularly. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and [...]

Dioctophyma renale in dog's testicle / Dioctophyma renale em testículo de cão

Background: Dioctophyma renale is a giant worm, nematode parasite, which infest dogs, rarely humans or other domestic and wild species. The life cycle is complex and infestation occurs by ingestion of aquatic oligochaete (annelid), fish and frogs. This nematode normally installs in the right kidney of dog, however, there are reports of ectopic migration, such as, for example, in the stomach, abdominal cavity, liver, bladder, ureters, urethra, scrotum, uterus, ovaries, mesenteric lymph nodes, mammary gland, thoracic and pericardial cavity. The aim of this work is to report the location of erratic Dioctophyma renale in the left testicle of a dog. Case: A mongrel dog, about 4 years old, weighing 7.7 kg, rescued from the street after being hit by a car was admitted at the Veterinary Clinical Hospital of CAV / UDESC. Clinical examination showed no significant changes, except for the crackling of pelvic bones, suggesting pelvic fracture. Pelvic radiography and abdominal ultrasound were requested, and complete blood count as pre-anesthetic evaluation was performed. The blood count showed leukocytosis with neutrophilia with a regenerative left shift. The patient was referred for pelvic fixation and in the same procedure orchiectomy was performed. The premedication was acepromazine 0.05 mg/kg and morphine 0.5 mg/kg, administrated intramuscularly. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and [...](AU)

Relationship between testicular lesion and hormone levels in male rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between testicular lesions and hormone levels in rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi. For that, the measurement of reproductive hormones, histopathology and biomarkers of cellular injury were carried out in twenty-four animals, which were divided into two groups with 12 animals each. Group A was the negative control, or uninfected, while group B was composed by animals infected with T. evansi. Both groups were divided again into two other subgroups (n=6), from which serum and testicular fragments were collected on days 5 (A1 and B1) and 15 (A2 and B2) post-infection (PI). The morphological analysis showed increased alterations of head and tail of sperm in infected rats when compared with those of the control group. A significant reduction (P<0.01) in the levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and estradiol, associated with an increase in cortisol, was observed in serum of group B when compared with negative control. Additionally, NOx, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were enhanced in testicles, indicating the occurrence of cellular lesion. On histopathology, it was possible to observe testicular degeneration, among other disorders in infected animals. Therefore, based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the experimental infection with T. evansi caused changes in the levels of the main hormones of male rats associated with cellular injury.

Three new gonad-infecting species of Philometra (Nematoda: Philometridae) parasitic in Lutjanus spp. (Lutjanidae) in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Florida, USA.

Based on light and scanning electron microscopical studies, three new gonad-infecting species of Philometra Costa, 1845 (Nematoda: Philometridae) are described from marine fishes of the genus Lutjanus Bloch (Perciformes: Lutjanidae) in the northern Gulf of Mexico: P. longispicula sp. n. from the ovary of the northern red snapper L. campechanus (Poey) (type host) and silk snapper L. vivanus (Cuvier); P. latispicula sp. n. from the ovary and rarely testes of the grey snapper L. griseus (Linnaeus); and P. synagridis sp. n. (only males available) from the ovary of the lane snapper Lutjanus synagris (Linnaeus). These species are mainly characterised by the lengths of spicules (378-690 microm, 135-144 microm and 186-219 microm, respectively) and spicule shapes, structure of the distal portion of the gubernaculum and the structure of the male caudal end. These are the first valid, nominal species of gonad-infecting philometrids reported from fishes of the family Lutjanidae in the western Atlantic region.

Testicular swelling due to lymphatic filariasis after brief travel to Haiti.

After 6 months of a trip to Haiti, a 25-year-old healthy man presented with a 6-week history of a very slow progressive intermittent bilateral testicular pain and swelling. The biopsies in both testicles revealed the presence of a dead filarial parasite. Polymerase chain reaction products of the DNA from the biopsy were shown to have a 100% identity to Wuchereria bancrofti. Despite being uncommon in travelers, this presentation of W. bancrofti highlights the possibility of acquiring W. bancrofti during short-term trips to highly endemic regions of the world (i.e., Haiti).

Reproductive disruption in Fasciola hepatica associated with incomplete efficacy of a new experimental formulation of triclabendazole.

The objective of the present study was to analyse the reproductive viability (using histopathologic studies) of Fasciola hepatica from cattle artificially infected and treated subcutaneously with a new experimental formulation of triclabendazole (8mg/kg b.w.). The results of the efficacy controlled test, which only takes into account the presence of live adult flukes, indicated that, whilst in the control group (n=7) 533 live specimens were recovered, in the test groups (doses of 8 and 12mg/kg b.w.) only 195 and 47 adults were recovered, respectively. These numbers indicate efficacies of 69% and 95.6%, respectively. It was observed in that dose of 8mg/kg b.w. some specimens remained viable, but they were infertile, which severely compromises the biological cycle of the trematode. In the testis tubules of flukes treated with the low dose of TCBZ (8mg/kg), very few cells were present and the vitelline follicles were markedly reduced in size and each follicle contained very few cells. This would have direct implications for the pathogenesis of the parasitosis since the remaining parasites would produce little clinical-productive manifestations, would stimulate the immune response and would find it difficult to establish future re-infestations/re-infections. Consequently, these observations will also prompt a review of certain methodological and interpretative aspects related to efficacy tests, where the only discriminative factor is the reduction of the adult parasite load. On one hand, histopathological studies could be complementary to the efficacy controlled test for TCBZ or other BZD formulations.

Trypanosoma cruzi and myoid cells from seminiferous tubules: interaction and relation with fibrous components of extracellular matrix in experimental Chagas' disease.

The main transmission route of Trypanosoma cruzi is by triatomine bugs. However, T. cruzi is also transmitted through blood transfusion, organ transplantation, ingestion of contaminated food or fluids, or is congenital. Sexual transmission, although suggested since the discovery of Chagas' disease, has remained unproven. Sexual transmission would require T. cruzi to be located at the testes and ovaries. Here we investigated whether T. cruzi is present in the gonads of mice infected with 10(4) T. cruzi trypomastigotes from the CL strain. Fourteen days after experimental infection, histopathological examination showed alterations in the extracellular matrix of the lamina propria of the seminiferous tubules. Furthermore, amastigotes were present in seminiferous tubules, within myoid cells, and in the adjacencies of the basal compartment. These results indicate that T. cruzi is able to reach seminiferous tubule lumen, thus suggesting that Chagas' disease could potentially be transmitted through sexual intercourse. Complementary studies are required to demonstrate that Chagas' disease can be transmitted by coitus.

Genital lesions associated with visceral leishmaniasis and shedding of Leishmania sp. in the semen of naturally infected dogs.

Although visceral leishmaniasis is primarily transmitted by a biological invertebrate vector, transmission in the absence of the vector has been reported, including venereal transmission in humans. Considering the possibility of venereal transmission, we studied genital lesions in dogs naturally infected with visceral leishmaniasis and shedding of Leishmania sp. in the semen. Approximately 200 dogs were serologically tested for anti-Leishmania antibodies and divided into three groups: 1) serologically negative dogs (n = 20), 2) asymptomatic serologically positive dogs (n = 20), and 3) symptomatic serologically positive dogs (n = 20). Samples from both testes, all segments of both epididymes, prostate gland, glans penis, and prepuce were histologically evaluated and processed for immunodetection of Leishmania sp. Semen samples were obtained from 22 symptomatic serologically positive dogs and processed for detecting Leishmania DNA by polymerase chain reaction. A significantly higher frequency of inflammation was observed in the epididymes, glans penis, and prepuce of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis, which was associated with a high frequency of immunohistochemically positive tissues (up to 95% of tissues from symptomatic dogs were positive by immunohistochemistry). Leishmania DNA was detected in eight of 22 semen samples from symptomatic dogs. Together these findings indicate that genital lesions and shedding of Leishmania sp. (donovani complex) in the semen are associated with visceral leishmaniasis. Additional studies should address the possibility of venereal transmission of the disease in the dog.

Genitourinary changes in hamsters infected and reinfected with Trypanosoma cruzi.

Authors describe genitourinary changes in male hamsters infected and reinfected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Changes in genital organs have been described in human and in experimental chagasic infection. Genital dysfunctions in chronic chagasic patients affect ejaculation, libido and sexual potency, and testis biopsies may show arrested maturation of germ cells, oligozoospermia and azoospermia. Sixty-five male hamsters were inoculated and reinoculated with 2x10 trypomastigotes of T. cruzi VIC strain, and 22 non-infected animals constituted the control group. Animals were necropsied and fragments from testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and bladder were collected and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Peroxidase anti-peroxidase procedure was utilized to detect tissue parasitism. T. cruzi nests were found in testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle of these hamsters. Such parasitism plays a role in the origin of genital lesions observed in humans and laboratory animals during chronic chagasic infection.

Myxosporeans and coccidians parasitic on engraulid fishes from the coasts of Argentina and Uruguay.

Two new species of the genus Sphaeromyxa (Myxosporea) from the gall bladder and one new species of the genus Eimeria (Coccidia) parasitizing the testes, are reported from engraulid fishes from the Argentinian shelf (including the Argentinean-Uruguayan Common Fishing Zone): Sphaeromyxa bonaerensis n. sp., found in Engraulis anchoita Hubbs & Marini, 1935 (argentine anchovy) (prevalence 0.2%) and in Anchoa marini Hildebrand, 1943 (anchovy) (prevalence 24.2%) caught in the Bonaerense region of the Argentinian Sea; Sphaeromyxa argentinensis n. sp. found in E. anchoita from all the sampled localities between 34 degrees S and 46 degrees S (prevalence 26.8%) and from A. marini at Mar del Plata coastal zone (prevalence 1.01%). Eimeria patagonensis n. sp. was found in E. anchoita living in the Patagonian region of the Argentine Sea (prevalence 0.45%). Details of some ultrastructural features of S. argentinensis are provided.

Frequency of schistosomiasis mansoni, of its clinicopathological forms and of the ectopic locations of the parasite in autopsies in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

The frequency of schistosomiasis mansoni, of its clinicopathological forms, and of the distribution of Schistosoma mansoni eggs in ectopic locations in each clinicopathological form were studied in 1863 complete consecutive autopsies performed in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in the period from 1971 to 1990. Three hundred and thirteen cases of S. mansoni infection (16.8%) were found. The intestinal form was the most frequent (67.4%), followed by the hepatosplenic form without pulmonary hypertension (24.9%). The intestinal form showed a smaller number of ectopic sites and a lower percentage of involvement of these sites compared to the more severe forms, particularly the hepatosplenic form with pulmonary hypertension. The distribution of the frequency of schistosomiasis mansoni cases, of the clinicopathological forms of the disease, and of the ectopic sites of S. mansoni eggs over the decades considered showed a marked reduction in all of these parameters, particularly in the more severe forms. These findings can be explained only by earlier diagnosis of the disease and the greater efficacy of the specific chemotherapy used today, preventing progression to the more severe forms of the parasitosis.

Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907: comparative morphological studies of some Brazilian strains.

The morphology of Schistosoma mansoni adult male worms from three strains which have been maintained in albino mice for several generations, was compared to a strain that has been isolated from the natural host Nectomys squamipes (Rodentia:Muridae) captured in Sumidouro (Rio de Janeiro State) and have been maintained in the same sylvatic rodent under laboratory conditions. Total length of specimens, distance between suckers, the number of testes and extention of testes grouping were the taxonomic characters analysed. The worms recovered from N. squamipes showed expressive differences (p < 0.01) compared to the other strains regarding the considered morphological characters. The strains that were maintained in mice presented statistical differences (p < 0.01) in several characters. Some adult worms besides the normal position of the testes also showed an atypical arrangement of these glands. It can be concluded that the morphology of adult worms may be used to distinguish S. mansoni strains and that morphological changes in adult worms are not induced by successive inoculations of a strain in mice.

Trypanosoma cruzi: histopathology of endocrine system in immunocompromised mice.

Naturally immunocompromised athymic mice, neonatal mice and adult outbred OFI mice treated with the immunosuppressive agents cyclophosphamide (CY), dexamethasone (DM) and indomethacin (IM) were infected with trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi Y and CL strains. 10(4) parasites were used, except in the case of IM treatment, where mice received 10(3) trypomastigotes in one group and 10(5) in another. The course of parasitaemia, tissue distribution of amastigotes and time of mortality were compared with an infected thymus intact control group. Neonate and indomethacin treated mice presented the same pattern of parasitaemia. Death occurred as early as 9-10 days after infection. A single dose of CY 200 mg/kg given 5 days after infection enhanced the parasitaemia and increased the number of parasites in the tissues. All groups were similar in terms of colonization of the endocrine system by parasites and the adrenals showed the highest density of amastigotes nests. The thyroid gland (analysed only in neonates) showed intense amastigote accumulation. Colonization of the ovary was observed with amastigotes in both the theca interna and in the stroma. The testes (also examined only in the neonate) showed that the interstitial cells, the tunica albuginea of the seminiferous tubules and the loose connective tissue were infected. Athymic nude mice showed the most intense parasite colonization of the islets of Langerhans.

Experimental paracoccidioidomycosis in hamster: transmission electron microscopy of inoculation site lesion.

Interaction between Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) and inflammatory cells in hamster testis was studied sequentially by transmission electron microscopy. In early lesions (six hours after inoculation), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were the major and mononuclear cells and eosinophils were the minor constituents of the inflammatory cells. PMNs were later replaced by mononuclear cells. Viable Pb cells were phagocytosed or surrounded by inflammatory cells. Preserved Pb cells usually had broad host-parasite interphases, whereas dying ones had narrow interphases. The outer layer of the fungus wall was sometimes broken by PMN in some focal points, broken pieces being peeled off and phagocytosed. Small Pb cells were uninuclear, and were often related to broad interphase. Large Pb cells were multinucleated with irregularly shaped wall, and sometimes had lomasome and/or myelin like structures. Different interaction patterns of Pb with inflammatory cells may be due to functionally different host cell flow to the inoculation site or due to the age of Pb cells or both.

The male reproductive organs in experimental Chagas' disease. I. Morphometric study of the vas deferens in the acute phase of the disease.

Amastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi (Bolivia strain) were detected in the sex organs of male mice 15 days after inoculation. The presence of the parasite close to the lumen of the seminiferous tubules and mixed with spermatozoa in the lumen of the epididymal duct suggests the possibility of transmission of Chagas' disease through coitus. Morphological analysis of the vas deferens revealed structural alterations compatible with the early form of chagasic esophagopathy.