Parasitic Ulcerous Caseous Gastroesophagitis Associated with Rameshwarotrema uterocrescens Rao, 1975 (Digenea: Pronocephalidae) in a Juvenile Green Turtle ( Chelonia mydas , Linnaeus 1758 [Testudines: Cheloniidae]): A Case Report.

Here we report a case of ulcerative caseous gastroesophagitis associated with Rameshwarotrema uterocrescens, Rao, 1975 (Digenea: Pronocephalidae), in a juvenile green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) from southern Brazil. Similar pathologies have been reported only in adult green turtles from Costa Rica. This paper presents the second report of parasitic esophagitis due to R. uterocrescens and the first occurrence in juvenile green turtles along coastal Brazil.

Myenteric plexus is differentially affected by infection with distinct Trypanosoma cruzi strains in Beagle dogs

Chagasic megaoesophagus and megacolon are characterised by motor abnormalities related to enteric nervous system lesions and their development seems to be related to geographic distribution of distinct Trypanosoma cruzi subpopulations. Beagle dogs were infected with Y or Berenice-78 (Be-78) T. cruzi strains and necropsied during the acute or chronic phase of experimental disease for post mortem histopathological evaluation of the oesophagus and colon. Both strains infected the oesophagus and colon and caused an inflammatory response during the acute phase. In the chronic phase, inflammatory process was observed exclusively in the Be-78 infected animals, possibly due to a parasitism persistent only in this group. Myenteric denervation occurred during the acute phase of infection for both strains, but persisted chronically only in Be-78 infected animals. Glial cell involvement occurred earlier in animals infected with the Y strain, while animals infected with the Be-78 strain showed reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive area of enteric glial cells in the chronic phase. These results suggest that although both strains cause lesions in the digestive tract, the Y strain is associated with early control of the lesion, while the Be-78 strain results in progressive gut lesions in this model.

Myenteric plexus is differentially affected by infection with distinct Trypanosoma cruzi strains in Beagle dogs.

Chagasic megaoesophagus and megacolon are characterised by motor abnormalities related to enteric nervous system lesions and their development seems to be related to geographic distribution of distinct Trypanosoma cruzi subpopulations. Beagle dogs were infected with Y or Berenice-78 (Be-78) T. cruzi strains and necropsied during the acute or chronic phase of experimental disease for post mortem histopathological evaluation of the oesophagus and colon. Both strains infected the oesophagus and colon and caused an inflammatory response during the acute phase. In the chronic phase, inflammatory process was observed exclusively in the Be-78 infected animals, possibly due to a parasitism persistent only in this group. Myenteric denervation occurred during the acute phase of infection for both strains, but persisted chronically only in Be-78 infected animals. Glial cell involvement occurred earlier in animals infected with the Y strain, while animals infected with the Be-78 strain showed reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactive area of enteric glial cells in the chronic phase. These results suggest that although both strains cause lesions in the digestive tract, the Y strain is associated with early control of the lesion, while the Be-78 strain results in progressive gut lesions in this model.

Fatal verminous pharyngitis and esophagitis caused by Streptocara incognita in mute swans (Cygnus olor).

Streptocara spp. infections are reported to cause gastritis, proventriculitis, esophagitis, and pharyngitis in various waterfowls, especially diving ducks. In the present paper, we describe severe fatal diphtheritic pharyngitis and esophagitis caused by Streptocara incognita in three female mute swans (Cygnus olor) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Prior to death, the swans were showing signs of lethargy, anorexia, and reluctance to move. At necropsy, in all swans severe diphtheritic pharyngitis and esophagitis with deep, dark red hemorrhagic ulcerations were observed. Numerous thin, white, up to 1-cm-long nematodes, identified as S. incognita, were observed embedded in the pharyngeal and esophageal mucosa under the diphtheritic membranes. Histopathology revealed severe fibrinonecrotic inflammation with numerous cross-sections of the parasites. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of severe, fatal streptocariasis in mute swans.

First report of parasitic esophagitis by Streptocara incognita in Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata domesticus) in Italy.

This work describes the first outbreak of streptocariasis by Streptocara incognita reported from Italy. The disease was observed in a backyard flock of 62 ducks (Cairina moschata domesticus) located in Treviso, northeastern Italy. Fifteen birds died in a period of 2 wk, showing debilitation and emaciation. Two ducks were submitted for postmortem examination and an esophagitis associated with nematodes was observed. The nematodes were identified as Streptocara incognita.

[Infection with Gnathostoma spinigerum as a cause of eosinophilic oesophagitis]. / Infektion mit Gnathostoma spinigerum als Ursache einer eosinophilen Osophagitis.

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 63-year-old man, who had travelled extensively in Asia and had lived in South Africa, presented with increasing dysphagia. Physical examination showed no abnormalities. EXAMINATIONS: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a concentric oesophageal stenosis, 5 cm long, consisting of thickening of the wall without any sign of malignancy or mucocutaneous lesions. The histological examination of this lesion demonstrated infiltrations of eosinophilic cells. Serology was positive for Gnathostoma spinigerum. TREATMENT AND CLINICAL COURSE: After treatment with albendazole 400 mg per day for 3 weeks the clinical, histological and serological symptoms resolved completely. CONCLUSION: In case of any eosinophilia or local infiltrations of eosinophilic cells, parasitic disease have to be considered.

[Eosinophilic esophagitis associated with recurrent urticaria: is the worm Anisakis simplex involved?]. / Eosinophile Osophagitis assoziiert mit rezidivierender Urtikaria: Steckt da der Wurm Anisakis simplex drin?

Anisakis simplex, a fish parasite of the nematode family, typically infects marine mammals such as whales, dolphins and seals. Human anisakiasis, which is acquired by eating raw or insufficiently heated fish or squid, has gained world-wide importance. Infestation with living larvae caused by eating parasitised fish results in acute upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting and may be confused with acute abdomen due to appendicitis and other inflammatory abdominal disorders. Extraintestinal organ manifestations are rare. Endoscopically, inflammation, oedema, erosions and ulcerations may be found. The parasite can been found in up to 50% of patients. Histologically, an eosinophilic inflammation is typical. Acute anisakiasis may be prevented by thorough cooking or deep-freezing the parasitised fish for at least 48 h. IgG-antibodies specific for Anisakis simplex are thought to represent an immunological host reaction against parasitic antigens. More recently, allergic reactions to Anisakis ingestion or exposure, such as urticaria, anaphylaxis and even occupational asthma, have been reported. These allergic reactions may also occur when the fish has been properly cooked, and hence these allergens are thought to be heat-stable. Such cases may be diagnosed by skin tests and the determination of specific Anisakis-IgE. However, the specificity of IgE is low, since they may also be present in exposed asymptomatic individuals. Since the eliciting allergens are temperature-stable, prophylactic dietetic measures are indicated. We report a case from Switzerland acquired during a holiday in Portugal. The patient suffered from recurrent dysphagia and urticaria, and histologically eosinophilic oesophagitis was found. IgG-antibodies and a positive skin prick test to Anisakis simplex support its aetiologic role for the symptoms.

Scanning electron microscopy of adult Gongylonema pulchrum (Nematoda: Spirurida).

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the surface ultrastructure of adult worms of Gongylonema pulchrum. The anterior end in both sexes was covered by numerous cuticular platelets. There was a pair of lateral cervical papillac. The buccal opening was small and extended in the dorsoventral direction. Around the mouth a cuticular elevation enclosed the labia, and eight papillae were located laterodorsally and lateroventrally. Two large lateral amphids were seen. On the lateral sides of the female's tail, phasmidal apertures were observed. The caudal end of the male was asymmetrically alate and bore 10 pairs of papillae and two phasmidal apertures.

Cytologic detection of Trichomonas esophagitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Trichomonads are pathogens of the female genital tract and colonizers of the oropharynx. Gastrointestinal and pulmonary diseases have been reported in association with Trichomonas species, but a direct pathogenic effect of this organism in these organ systems remains controversial. Esophageal disease due to trichomonads has not been previously reported. A 43-yr-old man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with odynophagia and esophageal erosions was evaluated by endoscopy. Cytologic brushings from three of four sites in the esophagus were positive for trichomonads. Treatment with metronidazole resulted in clearance of the organism from the esophagus and improvement in clinical symptoms. We report esophageal trichomoniasis diagnosed on esophageal brush cytology in a man with AIDS. Clinical response was confirmed by cytologic studies and odynophagia improved with metronidazole treatment. Study of cytologic preparations was superior to biopsy for identification of this organism and was particularly useful in following the post-treatment course of disease.

Mucosal alterations in human chronic chagasic esophagopathy.

Patients diagnosed as having chronic chagasic esophagopathy were divided into three groups on the basis of radiologic findings: group I, no dilation; group II, moderate dilation, and group III, extensive dilation. Stasis esophagitis was more frequent in group III, with a significant increase in basal layer thickness when compared with groups I and II. The pathogenesis of basal layer hyperplasia may have been due to stasis of ingested food and to myenteric denervation of the viscera. This hyperplasia may be an intermediate condition explaining the higher frequency of cancer among patients with chagasic megaesophagus.