New occurrences, mean infestation intensity and prevalence of parasitic isopods (Isopoda, Cymothoida, Bopyridae) associated with Macrobrachium amazonicum (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from the mouth of the Amazon River.

The Amazon prawn or Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862) is widely distributed in South America, occurring in the Orinoco and Amazon rivers, and forms an important source of income for riverside families. This prawn hosts crustacean ectoparasites of the genus Probopyrus (Giard & Bonnier, 1888) (Bopyridae) that infest its gill cavity. The aim of the present study was to report new occurrences of Probopyrus in Amazon prawns caught in the Amazon River. Macrobrachium amazonicum prawns were collected between May 2017 and April 2018, and again from July 2021 to May 2022 in the regions of Ilha de Santana and Rio Mazagão, state of Amapá, Brazil. Among the 5,179 prawn specimens caught, 133 were parasitized by the ectoparasites Probopyrus pandalicola (Packard, 1879), Probopyrus bithynis (Richardson, 1904), Probopyrus floridensis (Richardson, 1904) and Probopyrus palaemoni (Lemos de Castro & Brasil Lima, 1974). These occurrences of P. floridensis and P. palaemoni in M. amazonicum were the first records of this on the northern coast of Brazil. These four ectoparasites are not limited to specific host species or genera, as observed in this study, which reports four species of Probopyrus infesting M. amazonicum.

Prevalence of two Entamoeba gingivalis ST1 and ST2-kamaktli subtypes in the human oral cavity under various conditions.

Advances in molecular biology have facilitated analyses of the oral microbiome; however, the parasites role is poorly understood. Periodontal disease is a multifactorial process involving complex interactions among microorganisms, the host, and environmental factors. At present, the precise composition of the mouth parasites microbiota is unclear. Two protozoan species have been detected in the oral microbiota: Trichomonas tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis, and a new variant, E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli, was recently identified by us. In this study, both E. gingivalis and the new E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli variant were detected in the oral cavities of people with healthy periodontium, individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment, and patients with periodontal disease. In the group with healthy periodontium, the prevalence of E. gingivalis-ST1 was 48.6% and that of E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli 29.5%, with a combined prevalence of 54.3%. In patients undergoing orthodontics treatment, 81.2% carried both amoebas, with 47.5% having E. gingivalis-ST1 and 73.8% E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli. In people with periodontal disease, the prevalence of E. gingivalis-ST1 was 57.8%, and that of E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli 50.0%, with a combined prevalence of 73.5%; hence, E. gingivalis-ST1 and E gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli were detected in all three groups. The question arises, what are E. gingivalis-ST1 and E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli doing in the oral cavity? Although, the answer remains unclear, our results suggest that each amoeba subtype is genetically distinct, and they exhibit different patterns of infectious behavior. We hypothesize that E. gingivalis-ST1 and E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli may represent separate species. Our data contribute to better understanding of the roles of E. gingivalis-ST1 and E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli in the oral microbiota.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 in the skin of dogs with visceral leishmaniasis.

The skin is the first organ to be infected by the parasite in canine visceral leishmaniasis. The enzyme matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) acts towards degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and modulation of the inflammatory response against many kinds of injuries. The aims of this study were to evaluate the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 through immunohistochemistry and zymography on the skin (muzzle, ears, and abdomen) of dogs that were naturally infected by Leishmania spp. and to compare these results with immunodetection of the parasite and with alterations to the dermal ECM. Picrosirius red staining was used to differentiate collagen types I and III in three regions of the skin. The parasite load, intensity of inflammation, and production of MMP-2 (latent) and MMP-9 (active and latent) were higher in the ear and muzzle regions. MMP-9 (active) predominated in the infected group of dogs and its production was significantly different to that of the control group. Macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells predominated in the dermal inflammation and formed granulomas in association with degradation of mature collagen (type I) and with discrete deposition of young collagen (type III). This dermal change was more pronounced in dogs with high parasite load in the skin. Therefore, it was concluded that the greater parasite load and intensity of inflammation in the skin led consequently to increased degradation of mature collagen, caused by increased production of MMPs, particularly active MMP-9, in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis. This host response profile possibly favors systemic dissemination of the parasite.

A new subtype of Entamoeba gingivalis: "E. gingivalis ST2, kamaktli variant".

Entamoeba gingivalis is a protozoan that resides in the oral cavity. Using molecular biology techniques, we identified a novel organism that shares the same ecological niche as E. gingivalis. To differentiate this organism from E. gingivalis, we named it "kamaktli variant." By sequencing the 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rRNA region, we demonstrated that kamaktli variant is 89% identical to E. gingivalis. To elucidate the relationship between kamaktli variant and E. gingivalis, we performed a phylogenetic analysis. Both taxa clustered in the same clade with high support, indicating that the amoebas are closely related (98/99/1.00, maximum parsimony/maximum likelihood/MrBayes, respectively). Given this information, we propose that these molecular differences between kamaktli variant and E. gingivalis ST1 are sufficient to distinguish them as independent subtypes, and we name the new subtype "E. gingivalis ST2, kamaktli variant."

Portación de Candida spp. en cavidad oral en diabéticos y no diabéticos / Carrying of Candida spp. in the oral cavity in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Introducción: Candida spp. es un habitante normal de la microbiota humana, que puede originar infecciones superficiales y sistémicas de carácter oportunista. En pacientes diabéticos se incrementa el riesgo de infecciones por esta levadura, lo cual estaría determinado por la portación de Candida spp. Esta portación es variable, así se observa en cavidad oral desde 13,7 al 64 por ciento. Objetivo: establecer los porcentajes de colonización y posibles factores asociados en este grupo de alto riesgo. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo en un total de 172 pacientes diabéticos y no diabéticos. Las muestras de enjuague bucal se sembraron en agar Sabouraud y CHROMagar Candida. Los aislamientos se sometieron a pruebas fenotípicas y a reacción en cadena de la polimerasa múltiple para su identificación. Las variables demográficas, los hábitos de higiene oral, el uso de prótesis dental, así como los niveles de hemoglobina glucosilada se evaluaron para determinación de frecuencias y asociación por chi2 y análisis multivariado, mediante el programa SPSS versión 19.0. Resultados: el porcentaje de colonización en el total de la población diabética y no diabética (n= 172) fue de 33,7 por ciento. La distribución por especies fue de Candida albicans (63,8 por ciento), Candida glabrata (10,3 por ciento), Candida tropicalis (6,9 por ciento), Candida krusei (5,2 por ciento), Candida dubliniensis (3,4 por ciento), Candida parapsilosis (3,4 por ciento), Candida lusitaniae (1,7 por ciento), Candida guilliermondii (1,7 por ciento) y Candida spp. (no identificada, 3,4 por ciento). En sujetos no diabéticos el porcentaje de colonización fue de 27,9 por ciento y en diabéticos de 36,9 por ciento. En los sujetos del estudio se encontró que 14,9 por ciento tenía control glúcemico por los niveles de hemoglobina glucosilada, el 57,6 por ciento utilizaba prótesis dentales y el 63,9 por ciento practicaba higiene oral regular. Conclusión: Candida albicans es la especie predominante en ambos grupos, con un porcentaje significativo de las especies no albicans en estos pacientes. El uso de prótesis dental es un factor coadyuvante para la colonización por especies del género Candida(AU)

Introduction: Candida spp. is a normal inhabitant of the human microbiota, which can cause superficial and systemic infections of an opportunistic nature. In diabetic patients the risk of infections by this yeast increases, which would be determined by the carrying of Candida spp. This carrying is variable, as observed in the oral cavity from 13.7 to 64 percent. Objective: to establish the percentages of colonization and possible associated factors in this high-risk group. Method: a descriptive study was carried out in a total of 172 diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Mouthwash samples were seeded on Sabouraud agar and CHROMagar Candida. The isolates were subjected to phenotypic tests and to a multiple polymerase´s chain reaction for identification. Demographic variables, oral hygiene habits, the use of dental prostheses, as well as glycosylated hemoglobin levels were evaluated for frequency and association determination by chi2 and multivariate analysis, using the SPSS program version 19.0. Results: the percentage of colonization in the total of the diabetic and non-diabetic population (n= 172) was 33.7 percent. The distribution by species was Candida albicans (63.8 percent), Candida glabrata (10.3 percent), Candida tropicalis (6.9 percent), Candida krusei (5.2 percent), Candida dubliniensis (3.4 percent), Candida parapsilosis (3.4 percent), Candida lusitaniae (1.7 percent), Candida guilliermondii (1.7 percent), and Candida spp. (unidentified, 3.4 percent). In non-diabetic patients the percentage of colonization was 27.9 percent and in diabetics 36.9 percent. In the study´s patients, it was found that 14.9 percent had glycemic control by glycosylated hemoglobin levels, 57.6 percent used dental prostheses, and 63.9 percent practiced regular oral hygiene. Conclusion: Candida albicans was the predominant specie in both groups, with a significant percentage of the non-albicans species in these patients. The use of dental prostheses was a contributory factor for colonization by species of the genus Candida(AU)

Portación de Candida spp. en cavidad oral en diabéticos y no diabéticos / Carrying of Candida spp. in the oral cavity in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Introducción: Candida spp. es un habitante normal de la microbiota humana, que puede originar infecciones superficiales y sistémicas de carácter oportunista. En pacientes diabéticos se incrementa el riesgo de infecciones por esta levadura, lo cual estaría determinado por la portación de Candida spp. Esta portación es variable, así se observa en cavidad oral desde 13,7 al 64 por ciento. Objetivo: establecer los porcentajes de colonización y posibles factores asociados en este grupo de alto riesgo. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo en un total de 172 pacientes diabéticos y no diabéticos. Las muestras de enjuague bucal se sembraron en agar Sabouraud y CHROMagar Candida. Los aislamientos se sometieron a pruebas fenotípicas y a reacción en cadena de la polimerasa múltiple para su identificación. Las variables demográficas, los hábitos de higiene oral, el uso de prótesis dental, así como los niveles de hemoglobina glucosilada se evaluaron para determinación de frecuencias y asociación por chi2 y análisis multivariado, mediante el programa SPSS versión 19.0. Resultados: el porcentaje de colonización en el total de la población diabética y no diabética (n= 172) fue de 33,7 por ciento. La distribución por especies fue de Candida albicans (63,8 por ciento), Candida glabrata (10,3 por ciento), Candida tropicalis (6,9 por ciento), Candida krusei (5,2 por ciento), Candida dubliniensis (3,4 por ciento), Candida parapsilosis (3,4 por ciento), Candida lusitaniae (1,7 por ciento), Candida guilliermondii (1,7 por ciento) y Candida spp. (no identificada, 3,4 por ciento). En sujetos no diabéticos el porcentaje de colonización fue de 27,9 por ciento y en diabéticos de 36,9 por ciento. En los sujetos del estudio se encontró que 14,9 por ciento tenía control glúcemico por los niveles de hemoglobina glucosilada, el 57,6 por ciento utilizaba prótesis dentales y el 63,9 por ciento practicaba higiene oral regular. Conclusión: Candida albicans es la especie predominante en ambos grupos, con un porcentaje significativo de las especies no albicans en estos pacientes. El uso de prótesis dental es un factor coadyuvante para la colonización por especies del género Candida(AU)

Introduction: Candida spp. is a normal inhabitant of the human microbiota, which can cause superficial and systemic infections of an opportunistic nature. In diabetic patients the risk of infections by this yeast increases, which would be determined by the carrying of Candida spp. This carrying is variable, as observed in the oral cavity from 13.7 to 64 percent. Objective: to establish the percentages of colonization and possible associated factors in this high-risk group. Method: a descriptive study was carried out in a total of 172 diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Mouthwash samples were seeded on Sabouraud agar and CHROMagar Candida. The isolates were subjected to phenotypic tests and to a multiple polymerase´s chain reaction for identification. Demographic variables, oral hygiene habits, the use of dental prostheses, as well as glycosylated hemoglobin levels were evaluated for frequency and association determination by chi2 and multivariate analysis, using the SPSS program version 19.0. Results: the percentage of colonization in the total of the diabetic and non-diabetic population (n= 172) was 33.7 percent. The distribution by species was Candida albicans (63.8 percent), Candida glabrata (10.3 percent), Candida tropicalis (6.9 percent), Candida krusei (5.2 percent), Candida dubliniensis (3.4 percent), Candida parapsilosis (3.4 percent), Candida lusitaniae (1.7 percent), Candida guilliermondii (1.7 percent), and Candida spp. (unidentified, 3.4 percent). In non-diabetic patients the percentage of colonization was 27.9 percent and in diabetics 36.9 percent. In the study´s patients, it was found that 14.9 percent had glycemic control by glycosylated hemoglobin levels, 57.6 percent used dental prostheses, and 63.9 percent practiced regular oral hygiene. Conclusion: Candida albicans was the predominant specie in both groups, with a significant percentage of the non-albicans species in these patients. The use of dental prostheses was a contributory factor for colonization by species of the genus Candida(AU)

Unraveling Chagas disease transmission through the oral route: Gateways to Trypanosoma cruzi infection and target tissues.

Oral transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, is the most important route of infection in Brazilian Amazon and Venezuela. Other South American countries have also reported outbreaks associated with food consumption. A recent study showed the importance of parasite contact with oral cavity to induce a highly severe acute disease in mice. However, it remains uncertain the primary site of parasite entry and multiplication due to an oral infection. Here, we evaluated the presence of T. cruzi Dm28c luciferase (Dm28c-luc) parasites in orally infected mice, by bioluminescence and quantitative real-time PCR. In vivo bioluminescent images indicated the nasomaxillary region as the site of parasite invasion in the host, becoming consistently infected throughout the acute phase. At later moments, 7 and 21 days post-infection (dpi), luminescent signal is denser in the thorax, abdomen and genital region, because of parasite dissemination in different tissues. Ex vivo analysis demonstrated that the nasomaxillary region, heart, mandibular lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain, epididymal fat associated to male sex organs, salivary glands, cheek muscle, mesenteric fat and lymph nodes, stomach, esophagus, small and large intestine are target tissues at latter moments of infection. In the same line, amastigote nests of Dm28c GFP T. cruzi were detected in the nasal cavity of 6 dpi mice. Parasite quantification by real-time qPCR at 7 and 21 dpi showed predominant T. cruzi detection and expansion in mouse nasal cavity. Moreover, T. cruzi DNA was also observed in the mandibular lymph nodes, pituitary gland, heart, liver, small intestine and spleen at 7 dpi, and further, disseminated to other tissues, such as the brain, stomach, esophagus and large intestine at 21 dpi. Our results clearly demonstrated that oral cavity and adjacent compartments is the main target region in oral T. cruzi infection leading to parasite multiplication at the nasal cavity.

Value of the oral swab for the molecular diagnosis of dogs in different stages of infection with Leishmania infantum.

This study was based on the need to employ a sensitive and specific method with samples that could be easily collected for diagnosing dogs infected with Leishmania infantum. To this end, we used real time-PCR (qPCR) to assess the value of the oral swab (OS) in detecting infected sick dogs (SD; n=62), including, for the first time, the analysis of apparently healthy infected dogs (AD; n=30), both from endemic areas for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). For comparison, we also evaluated the performance of the conjunctival swab (CS), blood (BL), lymph node (LN) and serology. We detected the presence of Leishmania DNA in the oral cavity in 62 out of the 92 dogs studied. The OS positivity (67.4%) was equivalent to the CS (68.5%) (p>0.05), higher than BL (52.2%) (p≤0.05), and lower than LN (84.8%) (p≤0.05). OS and CS performed well in SD dogs (82.3% and 83.9%, respectively) but not in AD dogs (36.7% for both samples). BL showed the lowest positivity (52.2%) and provided equivalent results between AD (60.0%) and SD (48.4%) dogs (p>0.05). LN yielded the highest positivity (84.8%), and it was also higher in the SD population (93.5%) compared to the AD population (66.7%) (p≤0.05). Parasite load was high in LN, moderate in OS and CS, and low in BL, showing the relationship between the levels of parasitism and the positivity rates found in these samples. Serology was positive in 82.2% of the SD group and in 70% of the AD dogs (p>0.05). Among the 20 seronegative dogs, seven (35%) were positive in either OS or CS, and 12 (60%) were positive when both noninvasive samples were jointly considered. The OS/CS combination resulted in a significant increase of positivity (p≤0.05) for the AD dogs (from 36.7% to 63.4%), as well as OS/serology (80%) and OS/CS/serology (83.4%). For the SD population, positivity reached up to 95.2% with the same combinations, showing that combination of samples and/or tests is required for the identification of dogs infected with L. infantum and that the OS and CS combination based on qPCR notably improves the detection of both AD and SD dogs. In conclusion, OS proved to be a suitable sample for the molecular diagnosis of infected dogs with clinical signs of VL, but not for dogs with inapparent infection. For these, we recommend the combination of OS results with CS and/or serology in order to reach relevant positivity for L. infantum. Finally, another advantage of using OS or both noninvasive samples is the increased likelihood of diagnosing seronegative dogs.

A new species of Leposphilus Hesse, 1866 (Copepoda: Philichthyidae) parasitic in the interorbital canals of the whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest) (Sciaenidae) off Brazil with an amended diagnosis of the genus.

A new species of the monotypic genus Leposphilus Hesse, 1866 (Cyclopoida: Philichthyidae), Leposphilus vogti n. sp., is described based on adult female and male specimens from the interorbital canals of Micropogonias furnieri (Desmarest) (Sciaenidae) in Sepetiba Bay, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The new species differs from its only congener, L. labrei Hesse, 1866, by the following combination of characters in the adult female: a globular cephalosome, a two-segmented maxilla, and fourth abdominal somite fused to caudal ramus; and in the adult male: presence of maxilliped, leg 3 with five setae, and caudal rami tipped with six setae. In addition, an amendment of diagnosis of Leposphilus is provided based on the characters of the new species. Previous records of philichthyid copepods from actinopterygians in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans off the American continent are also given.

Gyrodactylus gasterostei a difficult meal to swallow for the three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus L.

This study examines the transmission strategies employed by parasites in order to colonize new hosts. Three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus L., were challenged with Gyrodactylus gasterostei Gläser, 1974 in a chamber and the colonization of new hosts was observed. Live-video recording indicates that gyrodactylid transmission possibly maximizes the chances of contact with an alternatively feeding response from dead parasitized hosts to predatory stickleback. It is proposed that host scavenge feeding may comprise an additional route for gyrodactylid transmission, although its relative importance with respect to other recognized routes remains uncertain. Although it was clearly demonstrated that G. gasterostei can reside in the mouth of its host, the study revealed that scavenging-feeding upon dead parasitized hosts did not contribute significantly to the level of infection in 3 h and parasite transmission observed on the feeding fish. A series of experimental exposures and scanning electron microscope images suggest that once ingested, the parasites can attach to the lining of the buccal cavity and then migrate to their preferred colonization site on the outer surface of the fish. In addition to the direct contact infection pathway normally associated with many. This study highlights that diagnosticians should be aware of the fact that the oral cavity may act as temporary transmission location for gyrodactylid fauna.

Huffmanela markgracei sp. n. (Nematoda: Trichosomoididae) from buccal cavity of Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae), in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico off Texas.

Eggs of Huffmanela markgracei sp. n. infected one of three Atlantic sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae (Richardson) (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae) captured by bottom long-line in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico off Padre Island, Texas. Eggs in the skin formed sinuous tracks (1-8 eggs wide; 1-4 eggs deep; 150 eggs/mm2) occupying a swath of the skin 22 cm x 2 cm on the tongue, branchial arches and the dorsal surface of the buccal cavity. Eggs had transverse eggshell ridges (branching and non-branching), had shells that were clear, amber or brown, and measured 90-113 microm (x = 102 +/- 4; n = 190) long, 38-54 microm (43 +/- 3; 190) wide, 3-5 microm (4 +/- 0; 190) in eggshell thickness with protruding polar plugs 8-12 microm (10 +/- 1; 190) wide. Apparently fully developed larvae in eggs were 255-335 microm (299 +/- 26; 30) long, 8-10 microm (9 +/- 1; 30) wide, and in-folded 5-6 (6 +/- 0; 30) times. Some of these larvae were emerging from eggs in the skin. The new species differs from congeners by the combination of having a large, spindle-shaped egg, transverse eggshell ridges, an envelope that is smooth, tightly-apposed to the eggshell and surrounds the entire eggshell inclusive of the polar plugs, and a large larva. This is the first report of a species of Huffmanela Moravec, 1987 from a chondrichthyan in the Gulf of Mexico and from a shark not assigned to Carcharhinus.

Nasal, oral and ear swabs for canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis: new practical approaches for detection of Leishmania infantum DNA.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of nasal, oral, and ear swabs for molecular diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in an endemic urban area in Brazil. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Sixty-two naturally infected and ten healthy dogs were enrolled in this study. Bone marrow aspirates, peripheral blood, skin biopsy, and conjunctival, nasal, oral, and ear swabs were collected. All samples, except blood, were submitted to conventional PCR (cPCR) and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) to detect and quantify Leishmania infantum DNA, respectively. All dogs were submitted to thorough clinical analysis and were included based on a combination of serological (ELISA immunoassay and immunofluorescent antibody test) and parasitological methods. The cPCR positivity obtained from nasal swab samples was 87% (54/62), equivalent to those from other samples (P>0.05). Positive results were obtained for 79% (22/28) in oral swabs and 43% (12/28) in ear swab samples. A significant difference was observed between these data (P=0.013), and the frequency of positive results from oral swab was equivalent to those from other samples (P>0.05). The use of ear swab samples for cPCR assays is promising because its result was equivalent to skin biopsy data (P>0.05). The qPCR data revealed that parasite loads in mucosal tissues were similar (P>0.05), but significantly lower than the parasite burden observed in bone marrow and skin samples (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nasal and oral swab samples showed a high potential for the qualitative molecular diagnosis of CVL because their results were equivalent to those observed in samples collected invasively. Considering that mucosae swab collections are painless, noninvasive, fast and practical, the combination of these samples would be useful in massive screening of dogs. This work highlights the potential of practical approaches for molecular diagnosis of CVL and human leishmaniasis infections.

[Elimination of juvenile stages of Ascaris lumbricoides (Linnaeus, 1758) by mouth. Report of a case and some epidemiological considerations]. / Eliminación de estadios juveniles de Ascaris lumbricoides (Linneo, 1758) por via oral. Reporte de un caso y algunas consideraciones epidemiológicas.

Ascariosis is a parasitic disease caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, a large geohelmint endemic in our country. At present, ascariosis is a rare infection in Chile. We present a case of an adult, resident of the Villa Alemana municipality, Valparaiso Region, who spontaneously expelled two juvenile nematodes by mouth. We review the manifestations produced by the larval and adult stages of this parasite including their diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiological considerations.

MIF participates in Toxoplasma gondii-induced pathology following oral infection.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is essential for controlling parasite burden and survival in a model of systemic Toxoplasma gondii infection. Peroral T. gondii infection induces small intestine necrosis and death in susceptible hosts, and in many aspects resembles inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Considering the critical role of MIF in the pathogenesis of IBD, we hypothesized that MIF participates in the inflammatory response induced by oral infection with T. gondii. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Mif deficient (Mif(-/-)) and wild-type mice in the C57Bl/6 background were orally infected with T. gondii strain ME49. Mif(-/-) mice had reduced lethality, ileal inflammation and tissue damage despite of an increased intestinal parasite load compared to wt mice. Lack of MIF caused a reduction of TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ and IL-23 and an increased expression of IL-22 in ileal mucosa. Moreover, suppressed pro-inflammatory responses at the ileal mucosa observed in Mif(-/-) mice was not due to upregulation of IL-4, IL-10 or TGF-ß. MIF also affected the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) but not MMP-2 in the intestine of infected mice. Signs of systemic inflammation including the increased concentrations of inflammatory cytokines in the plasma and liver damage were less pronounced in Mif(-/-) mice compared to wild-type mice. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, our data suggested that in susceptible hosts MIF controls T. gondii infection with the cost of increasing local and systemic inflammation, tissue damage and death.

Eliminación de estadios juveniles de Ascaris lumbricoides (Linneo, 1758) por via oral: Reporte de un caso y algunas consideraciones epidemiológicas / Elimination of juvenile stages of Ascaris lumbricoides (Linnaeus, 1758) by mouth: Report of a case and some epidemiological considerations

Ascariosis is a parasitic disease caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, a large geohelmint endemic in our country. At present, ascariosis is a rare infection in Chile. We present a case of an adult, resident of the Villa Alemana municipality, Valparaiso Region, who spontaneously expelled two juvenile nematodes by mouth. We review the manifestations produced by the larval and adult stages of this parasite including their diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiological considerations.

La ascariosis es una parasitosis provocada por Ascaris lumbricoides, el geo-helminto de mayor tamaño que afecta al ser humano en nuestro país. En Chile, la ascariosis es una infección poco frecuente en la actualidad. Se presenta el caso de un adulto residente en la comuna de Villa Alemana, Región de Valparaíso, que eliminó en forma espontánea dos ejemplares del nemátodo en estado juvenil por vía oral. Se revisan las manifestaciones producidas por este parásito en la fase larvaria y adulta, el diagnóstico, el tratamiento y algunas consideraciones epidemiológicas.

New species of Acanthochondria (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) infecting the longtail southern cod, Patagonotothen ramsayi (Perciformes: Nototheniidae), from Patagonian waters, Argentina.

Acanthochondria lilianae n. sp. (Copepoda: Chondracanthidae) is described and illustrated based on specimens of both sexes collected from inner surface of the operculum of the longtail southern cod, Patagonotothen ramsayi (Regan) (Perciformes: Nototheniidae), from the Patagonian Shelf, Argentina (42-48°S, 60-63°W). Acanthochondria lilianae n. sp. is characterized by the combination of a Type B-III antennule and Type A leg 2, in addition to both the cephalosome and the trunk being wider than long. The new species most closely resembles Acanthochondria incisa Shiino, 1955, Acanthochondria ophidii (Krøyer, 1863), Acanthochondria priacanthi Shiino, 1964, and Acanthochondria tasmaniae Heegaard, 1962, but differs from these species in the general measurements and proportions of the body, shape and size of head, shape and size of genitoabdomen, and fine details of appendages such as the armature of antennule, ornamentation of both pairs of legs, number of teeth on mandible and maxilla, and ornamentation on maxilliped. This is the first Acanthochondria species recorded from a nototheniid and the second southernmost record of a species of this genus in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.

Polystomoides magdalenensis n. sp. (Monogenoidea: Polystomatidae), a parasite of buccal cavity of Trachemys callirostris callirostris (Testudinata: Emydidae) from Colombia.

Polystomoides magdalenensis n. sp. is described from the buccal cavity of the Colombian slider Trachemys callirostris callirostris (Gray, 1856) in the middle of Magdalena River drainage, Colombia. The new species is characterized by a combination of traits, i.e., 29-35 genital spines, outer and inner hamuli length (123-150 and 54-63, respectively), testis size (261.4-554.5 x 388.2-768.4), marginal hook lengths (45-51), and pharynx length (150-333), as well as testis length/oral sucker length, testis length/pharynx length, and testis width/pharynx width ratios. This is the first species described from turtles in Colombia and the fifth reported in chelonians from South America.