Current status of cystic echinococcosis control in the Falkland Islands: has elimination been achieved?

Attempts to control cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by Echinococcus granulosus in the Falkland Islands have been ongoing for over 50 years. No human cases have been recorded since the 1980s but there is a need to establish if the parasite has been completely eliminated from domestic animals. A study was carried out in 2018/2019 to identify dogs infected with E. granulosus using copro-antigen and copro-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. In addition, annual slaughter data were analysed to establish infection levels of E. granulosus and 2 other taeniid parasites. Results showed that 4 out of 589 dogs (0.7%) tested positive by copro-antigen analysis. Results from similar surveys carried out in 2010, 2012 and 2014 showed 17 (3%), 0 and 6 (1%) copro-antigen-positive dogs, respectively, with 8 dogs being confirmed by PCR in 2010. Annual abattoir data showed that from 2006 to 2020, 36 sheep were identified with E. granulosus (mean 0.0055%), 14 186 sheep with Taenia hydatigena (mean 2.2%) and 465 with Taenia ovis (mean 0.072%). Prevalences of T. hydatigena and T. ovis showed spontaneous rises in certain years where the infections could also be detected in lambs indicating that viable taeniid eggs were present. Observations of farm management procedures indicated that there were occasions when dogs could get access to infective taeniid material. In conclusion, E. granulosus is still present in sheep and dogs but at low prevalences. The increasing presence of T. hydatigena however, indicates that control measures are defective in some areas and there is potential for a re-emergence of CE.

Legacy of supervolcanic eruptions on population genetic structure of brown kiwi.

Supervolcanoes are volcanoes capable of mega-colossal eruptions that emit more than 1,000 km3 of ash and other particles.1 The earth's most recent mega-colossal eruption was the Oruanui eruption of the Taupo supervolcano 25,580 years before present (YBP) on the central North Island of New Zealand.2 This eruption blanketed major swaths of the North Island in thick layers of ash and igneous rock,2,3 devastating habitats and likely causing widespread population extinctions.4-7 An additional devastating super-colossal eruption (>100 km3) of the Taupo supervolcano occurred approximately 1,690 YBP.8 The impacts of such massive but ephemeral natural disasters on contemporary population genetic structure remain underexplored. Here, we combined data for 4,951 SNPs with spatially explicit demographic and coalescent models within an approximate Bayesian computation framework to test the drivers of genetic structure in brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli). Our results strongly support the importance of eruptions of the Taupo supervolcano in restructuring pre-existing geographic patterns of population differentiation and genetic diversity. Range shifts due to climatic oscillations-a frequent explanation for genetic structure9-are insufficient to fully explain the empirical data. Meanwhile, recent range contraction and fragmentation due to historically documented anthropogenic habitat alteration adds no explanatory power to our models. Our results support a major role for cycles of destruction and post-volcanic recolonization in restructuring the population genomic landscape of brown kiwi and highlight how ancient and ephemeral mega-disasters may leave a lasting legacy on patterns of intraspecific genetic variation.

Demographic decline and lineage-specific adaptations characterize New Zealand kiwi.

Small and fragmented populations may become rapidly differentiated due to genetic drift, making it difficult to distinguish whether neutral genetic structure is a signature of recent demographic events, or of long-term evolutionary processes that could have allowed populations to adaptively diverge. We sequenced 52 whole genomes to examine Holocene demographic history and patterns of adaptation in kiwi (Apteryx), and recovered 11 strongly differentiated genetic clusters corresponding to previously recognized lineages. Demographic models suggest that all 11 lineages experienced dramatic population crashes relative to early- or mid-Holocene levels. Small population size is associated with low genetic diversity and elevated genetic differentiation (FST), suggesting that population declines have strengthened genetic structure and led to the loss of genetic diversity. However, population size is not correlated with inbreeding rates. Eight lineages show signatures of lineage-specific selective sweeps (284 sweeps total) that are unlikely to have been caused by demographic stochasticity. Overall, these results suggest that despite strong genetic drift associated with recent bottlenecks, most kiwi lineages possess unique adaptations and should be recognized as separate adaptive units in conservation contexts. Our work highlights how whole-genome datasets can address longstanding uncertainty about the evolutionary and conservation significance of small and fragmented populations of threatened species.

Adverse effects of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine in dairy cattle / Efeitos adversos da vacina contra febre aftosa em bovinos de leite

Foot-and-mouth disease represents an important barrier to the international commerce of animal products, potentially associated with significant economic losses. The systematic vaccination of bovines and buffaloes was fundamental for the eradication of this disease; however, the use of vaccines can lead to reactions at the application site. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of the vaccination protocol to the production of dairy cows and to observe the occurrence of vaccinal reactions in the animals. At one property located in the municipality of Salvador do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, 270 dairy cows were vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease in May 2019. The vaccine was administered via a subcutaneous application using disposable syringes and needles for each animal. Inspection of the animals was performed before and 20 days after the vaccination to verify the presence of reactions to the vaccine. The study's sample was set by convenience, including 203 lactating animals with or without bovine somatotropin (BST) administration during the data collection period, which was limited to 20 days before and 20 days after the vaccination. Milk production data was obtained through SmartDairy® HerdMetrix™ software, tabulated in electronic spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel® and processed using the program SAS®, considering a 5% significance level for mixed model statistical analysis. A total of 160 animals (78.82%) presented local lesions at the application site, even when the recommended vaccination practices were followed, suggesting that the high reaction power was provoked by the vaccinal components. In regards to milk production, a statistically significant (p<0.05) decrease of 0.30kg of milk per animal/day was observed in the average daily production in the 20 days post-vaccination. These results demonstrate the local and systemic effects caused by the foot-and-mouth disease vaccine, evidenced by reduced levels of milk production and the occurrence of vaccine reactions, implying significant economic losses.(AU)

A febre aftosa representa uma importante barreira no comércio internacional de produtos de origem animal, podendo acarretar em significativas perdas econômicas. A vacinação sistemática de bovinos e bubalinos foi fundamental para a erradicação da doença. No entanto, a utilização de vacinas pode causar reações no local da aplicação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da vacina em bovinos leiteiros e observar a incidência de reações vacinais no local de aplicação. O estudo foi realizado numa propriedade leiteira do município de Salvador do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, onde foram vacinados 270 bovinos contra febre aftosa no mês de maio de 2019. A vacina foi administrada por via subcutânea, com seringas e agulhas descartáveis para cada animal. Foi realizada inspeção dos animais antes da vacinação e 21 dias após a vacinação, para verificar a presença de reações vacinais. A amostra foi definida por conveniência, incluindo 203 vacas em lactação com ou sem administração de somatotropina bovina (BST) durante o período de coleta de dados, que l foi de 20 dias antes e 20 dias após a vacinação. Estes dados de produção de leite foram obtidos através do software SmartDairy® HerdMetrix™, tabulados em planilhas eletrônicas do Microsoft Excel® e processados usando o programa SAS®, considerando 5% de nível de significância para uma análise estatística modelo misto. Foi observado que 160 (78,82%) vacas apresentaram lesões no local de aplicação, mesmo quando a aplicação era realizada de acordo com as boas práticas de vacinação, o que indica o alto poder de reação provocada pelos componentes da vacina. Em relação à produção de leite, observou-se uma redução significativa (p<0,05) na produção média diária de 0,30kg de leite por animal/dia nos 21 dias após a vacinação. Esses resultados demonstram os efeitos locais e sistêmicos provocados pela vacina da febre aftosa, evidenciados pela redução na produção de leite e pela incidência de reações vacinais, o que implica em significativas perdas econômicas.(AU)

Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid enhances epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Cystic echinococcosis is characterized by fluid-filled hydatid cysts in the liver and lungs. The cysts are surrounded by a host fibrous layer (the pericyst) which acts to isolate the parasite from surrounding tissues. Previous studies in liver cysts have indicated that the parasite may be a stimulating fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) could influence the potential for fibrosis to occur in lung tissue by stimulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a human lung epithelial cell line. An adenocarcinoma-derived alveolar basal epithelial cell line (A549) was used as a model for human alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II). These were cultured in vitro with HCF (UK sheep origin). Assays to investigate cell proliferation, cell migration and expression of cytoskeletal markers showed that HCF could stimulate changes indicative of EMT, including enhanced cell proliferation and migration; increased expression of mesenchymal cytoskeletal markers (fibronectin and vimentin) accompanied by a down-regulation of an epithelial marker (E-cadherin). Molecules within hydatid cyst fluid are capable of inducing phenotypic changes in A549 cells indicating that the parasite has the potential to modify lung epithelial cells which could contribute to fibrotic reactions.

Cryptic inbreeding depression in a growing population of a long-lived species.

Genetic effects are often overlooked in endangered species monitoring, and populations showing positive growth are often assumed to be secure. However, the continued reproductive success of a few individuals may mask issues such as inbreeding depression, especially in long-lived species. Here, we test for inbreeding depression in little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) by comparing a population founded with two birds to one founded with 40 birds, both from the same source population and both showing positive population growth. We used a combination of microsatellite genotypes, nest observations and modelling to examine the consequences of assessing population viability exclusively via population growth. We demonstrate (i) significantly lower hatching success despite significantly higher reproductive effort in the population with two founders; (ii) positive growth in the population with two founders is mainly driven by ongoing chick production of the founding pair; and (iii) a substantial genetic load in the population founded with two birds (10-15 diploid lethal equivalents). Our results illustrate that substantial, cryptic inbreeding depression may still be present when a population is growing, especially in long-lived species with overlapping generations.

Explosive ice age diversification of kiwi.

Molecular dating largely overturned the paradigm that global cooling during recent Pleistocene glacial cycles resulted in a burst of species diversification although some evidence exists that speciation was commonly promoted in habitats near the expanding and retracting ice sheets. Here, we used a genome-wide dataset of more than half a million base pairs of DNA to test for a glacially induced burst of diversification in kiwi, an avian family distributed within several hundred kilometers of the expanding and retracting glaciers of the Southern Alps of New Zealand. By sampling across the geographic range of the five kiwi species, we discovered many cryptic lineages, bringing the total number of kiwi taxa that currently exist to 11 and the number that existed just before human arrival to 16 or 17. We found that 80% of kiwi diversification events date to the major glacial advances of the Middle and Late Pleistocene. During this period, New Zealand was repeatedly fragmented by glaciers into a series of refugia, with the tiny geographic ranges of many kiwi lineages currently distributed in areas adjacent to these refugia. Estimates of effective population size through time show a dramatic bottleneck during the last glacial cycle in all but one kiwi lineage, as expected if kiwi were isolated in glacially induced refugia. Our results support a fivefold increase in diversification rates during key glacial periods, comparable with levels observed in classic adaptive radiations, and confirm that at least some lineages distributed near glaciated regions underwent rapid ice age diversification.

Rodentolepis straminea (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) in an urban population of Apodemus sylvaticus in the UK.

The presence of the cyclophyllidean cestode Rodentolepis straminea (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae), was confirmed by molecular DNA analysis from a wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) population inhabiting urban woodland in Salford, Greater Manchester (UK) with a prevalence of 27.8%. It would appear that the only previously published record of this species in A. sylvaticus in the British Isles is that from south-west Ireland, where 24% of the wood mice examined were infected with R. straminea. This species has been recorded in studies on A. sylvaticus in continental Europe. The current report represents a new record for R. straminea on mainland Britain and a first study of helminth parasites in an urban wood mouse population.

Risk factors for Echinococcus coproantigen positivity in dogs from the Alay valley, Kyrgyzstan.

Echinococcosis, caused by the zoonotic cestodes Echinococcus granulosus (sensu lato) and Echinococcus multilocularis, is highly endemic in the Central Asian Republic of Kyrgyzstan, and is being identified increasingly as a public health problem, especially amongst pastoral communities. As domestic dogs are considered to be the main source of human infection, the identification of potential transmission pathways is of relevance when considering implementing an echinococcosis control scheme. The current report describes the results of an analytical study of canine Echinococcus coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) prevalence in the Alay valley of southern Kyrgyzstan prior to the commencement of regular praziquantel dosing of dogs. A logistic regression model using a form of Bayes modal estimation was used to identify possible risk factors for coproantigen positivity, and the output was interpreted in a Bayesian context (posterior distributions of the coefficients of interest). The study found that sheepdogs had lower odds of coproantigen positivity, as did dogs in households with donkeys, where owners had knowledge of echinococcosis, and households which engaged in home slaughtering. Surprisingly, there was no evidence of an association between free roaming or previous praziquantel dosing and coproantigen positivity, as has been found in previous studies. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed in the context of the epidemiology of echinococcosis and potential intervention approaches.

The clinical impact of coronavirus infection in patients with hematologic malignancies and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Compared to other respiratory viruses, relatively little is known about the clinical impact of coronavirus (CoV) infection after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) or in patients with hematologic malignancies. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the role of CoV in respiratory tract infections among HSCT and hematologic malignancy patients. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective review of all cases of CoV infection documented by polymerase chain reaction, (PCR)-based testing on nasopharyngeal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples between June 2010 and 2013. Cases of CoV infection occurring in HSCT and hematologic malignancy patients were identified and the clinical characteristics of these cases were compared to other respiratory viruses. RESULTS: CoV was identified in 2.6% (n=43) of all samples analyzed (n=1661) and in 6.8% of all samples testing positive for a respiratory virus (n=631). 33 of 38 (86.8%) of patients in whom CoV was identified were HSCT and hematologic malignancy patients. Among these patients, CoV was detected in 9.7% of unique infection episodes, with only rhinovirus/enterovirus (RhV/EnV) infection being more common. Group I CoV subtypes accounted for 76.3% of cases, and 57% of infections were diagnosed between December and March. CoV infection was associated with upper respiratory tract symptoms in most patients, similar to other respiratory viruses. Possible and proven lower respiratory tract disease was less common compared to other respiratory viruses except RhV/EnV. CONCLUSIONS: CoV is frequently detected in HSCT and hematologic malignancy patients in whom suspicion for a respiratory viral infection exists, but is less likely to progress to lower respiratory tract disease than most other respiratory viruses.

Health risks and informal employment in South Africa: does formality protect health?

BACKGROUND: The association between work and health has not been well explored in the context of economically developing countries, largely due to inadequate data. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify the association between informal wage work and health in South Africa using a newly available data set that includes detailed information on both employment and health. METHODS: To explore the relationship between formality, work, and health in South Africa, data from the first (2008) wave of the National Income Dynamic Study (NIDS) were analyzed. We constructed a "formality index" which represents work arrangements on a continuum of formality to informality allowing for a more nuanced analysis of the association between wage work and health. RESULTS: We found that formality of employment was significantly associated with health in South Africa, but that the protective effect of formality in employment on health was largely derived from the higher levels of income earned through more formal types of employment. Nevertheless, we did find that the association between informality and poor health was significantly greater for women in wage employment than for males.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in localized populations of Apodemus sylvaticus is linked to population genotype not to population location.

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed parasite infecting humans and warm-blooded animals. Although many surveys have been conducted for T. gondii infection in mammals, little is known about the detailed distribution in localized natural populations. In this study, host genotype and spatial location were investigated in relation to T. gondii infection. Wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) were collected from 4 sampling sites within a localized peri-aquatic woodland ecosystem. Mice were genotyped using standard A. sylvaticus microsatellite markers and T. gondii was detected using 4 specific PCR-based markers: SAG1, SAG2, SAG3 and GRA6 directly from infected tissue. Of 126 wood mice collected, 44 samples were positive giving an infection rate of 34.92% (95% CI: 27.14-43.59%). Juvenile, young adults and adults were infected at a similar prevalence, respectively, 7/17 (41.18%), 27/65 (41.54%) and 10/44 (22.72%) with no significant age-prevalence effect (P = 0.23). Results of genetic analysis of the mice showed that the collection consists of 4 genetically distinct populations. There was a significant difference in T. gondii prevalence in the different genotypically derived mouse populations (P = 0.035) but not between geographically defined populations (P = 0.29). These data point to either a host genetic/family influence on parasite infection or to parasite vertical transmission.

Post-encystment/established immunity in cystic echinococcosis: is it really that simple?

In 1982, Rickard & Williams stated that immunity to larval taeniid cestodes could be divided into two different phases: the establishment phase, operating against oncospheres, and the established phase, operating against established metacestodes in the tissues. These concepts were largely based on experimental and veterinary data. As a result of subsequent research combined with clinical data, we can consider that, for metacestodes of Echinococcus spp, a single established phase is probably too simple a concept. These parasites show developmental changes in different hosts over time, the most significant being growth, fertility and degeneration. Recent clinical cyst classifications (WHO/IWGE) have highlighted that all hydatid cysts are morphologically not the same. This is important for treatment but fails to completely address variation in the host/parasite response and the understanding of parasite survival. This review attempts to relate the immunological and developmental data obtained from experimental, veterinary and medical studies to update our understanding of established immunity against E. granulosus. It proposes that a single 'Established' phase for E. granulosus could be subdivided into four additional phases: maturing; stable; unstable and degenerative. Combining this type of information with existing cyst classification systems could significantly benefit our understanding of the parasites immunobiology.

A molecular and ecological analysis of the trematode Plagiorchis elegans in the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus from a periaquatic ecosystem in the UK.

The prevalence of the digenean Plagiorchis sp. was investigated in a natural wood mouse population (Apodemus sylvaticus) in a periaquatic environment. Classical identification was complemented with the use of molecular differentiation to determine prevalence and verify species identity. Use of the complete ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 and partial 28S rDNA gene sequences have confirmed that the species reported at this location was Plagiorchis elegans and not Plagiorchis muris as reported previously. This underlines the difficulties in identification of these morphologically similar parasites. Plagiorchis elegans is typically a gastrointestinal parasite of avian species but has also been reported from small mammal populations. Although the occurrence of this digenean in A. sylvaticus in the UK is rare, in the area immediately surrounding Malham Tarn, Yorkshire, it had a high prevalence (23%) and a mean worm burden of 26.6 ± 61.5. The distribution of P. elegans followed a typically overdispersed pattern and both mouse age-group and sex were determined to be two main factors associated with prevalence. Male mice harboured the majority of worms, carrying 688 of 717 recovered during the study, and had a higher prevalence of 32.4% in comparison to only 8.7% in the small intestine of female mice. A higher prevalence of 43% was also observed in adult mice compared to 14% for young adults. No infection was observed in juvenile mice. These significant differences are likely to be due to differences in the foraging behaviour between the sexes and age cohorts of wood mice.

Genetic consequences of a century of protection: serial founder events and survival of the little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii).

We present the outcome of a century of post-bottleneck isolation of a long-lived species, the little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii, LSK) and demonstrate that profound genetic consequences can result from protecting few individuals in isolation. LSK were saved from extinction by translocation of five birds from South Island, New Zealand to Kapiti Island 100 years ago. The Kapiti population now numbers some 1200 birds and provides founders for new populations. We used 15 microsatellite loci to compare genetic variation among Kapiti LSK and the populations of Red Mercury, Tiritiri Matangi and Long Islands that were founded with birds from Kapiti. Two LSK native to D'Urville Island were also placed on Long Island. We found extremely low genetic variation and signatures of acute and recent genetic bottleneck effects in all four populations, indicating that LSK have survived multiple genetic bottlenecks. The Long Island population appears to have arisen from a single mating pair from Kapiti, suggesting there is no genetic contribution from D'Urville birds among extant LSK. The Ne/NC ratio of Kapiti Island LSK (0.03) is exceptionally low for terrestrial vertebrates and suggests that genetic diversity might still be eroding in this population, despite its large census size.

Identification of a new species of digenean Notocotylus malhamensis n. sp. (Digenea: Notocotylidae) from the bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and the field vole (Microtus agrestis).

Notocotylus malhamensis n. sp. is described from the caecum of the bank vole (Myodes glareolus) and the field vole (Microtus agrestis) from Malham Tarn Nature Reserve in North Yorkshire, UK. In total, 581 specimens were collected from rodents trapped at a wetland site (Tarn Fen) between July 2010 and October 2011 with a prevalence of 66·7% and mean intensity of 94·6 in the bank vole and 50% prevalence and a mean intensity of 4·3 in the field vole. This species appears to be most closely related to other previously described Notocotylus species infecting rodents in Europe but differs principally by the metraterm to cirrus sac ratio (1:1·5-1:1·2) in combination with a densely spinulated cirrus, simple caeca and a greater number of ventral glands in the lateral rows (14-17). The use of molecular differentiation was of limited use in this study due to a paucity of relevant information in the DNA sequence databases. However, the complete ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 and partial 28S gene sequences have been generated to provide a definitive tool for identification of this species in future studies. As far as we know this is the first report of a notocotylid infection in M. glareolus in the UK.

Prevalence and co-infection of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in Apodemus sylvaticus in an area relatively free of cats.

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent worldwide and can infect a remarkably wide range of hosts despite felids being the only definitive host. As cats play a major role in transmission to secondary mammalian hosts, the interaction between cats and these hosts should be a major factor determining final prevalence in the secondary host. This study investigates the prevalence of T. gondii in a natural population of Apodemus sylvaticus collected from an area with low cat density (<2·5 cats/km2). A surprisingly high prevalence of 40·78% (95% CI: 34·07%-47·79%) was observed despite this. A comparable level of prevalence was observed in a previously published study using the same approaches where a prevalence of 59% (95% CI: 50·13%-67·87%) was observed in a natural population of Mus domesticus from an area with high cat density (>500 cats/km2). Detection of infected foetuses from pregnant dams in both populations suggests that congenital transmission may enable persistence of infection in the absence of cats. The prevalences of the related parasite, Neospora caninum were found to be low in both populations (A. sylvaticus: 3·39% (95% CI: 0·12%-6·66%); M. domesticus: 3·08% (95% CI: 0·11%-6·05%)). These results suggest that cat density may have a lower than expected effect on final prevalence in these ecosystems.

Microbiomic comparison of the intestine of the earthworm Eisenia fetida fed ergovaline.

Tall fescue toxicosis and ergot alkaloids cost U.S. livestock producers approximately one billion dollars in annual livestock production loss annually. Ergovaline (EV) is the tall fescue alkaloid primarily responsible for clinical disease in livestock. Since native ruminal microorganisms have not been attributed to the detoxification of EV, finding detoxifying microbes from other environments is desirable. One possible source for potential microorganisms that can degrade EV is the anaerobic gut of the earthworm, Eisenia fetida. This study describes a comparative microbial analysis of earthworm digestive tracts receiving 10,000 ppb EV (E+ treatment) when compared with a control treatment with no detectable amounts of EV (E- treatment). An HPLC assay determined a 25% loss of EV from the E+ treatment was microbial in nature. A community microbiomic approach of constructing 16S-rRNA gene clone libraries was used to compare the microbes affected by the two treatments. RDPII tools such as Classifier and Libcompare were used in the analysis of 16S sequences. DOTUR analysis was used to examine the richness and diversity of the two microbial populations in these experiments. The results indicate there are few significant differences in the microbial community structure between the two microbiomes.

Fractured closed suction catheter: an unusual cause of endobronchial obstruction in a ventilated patient.

BACKGROUND: A 32-year-old HIV-positive man required ventilation for seizures secondary to viral encephalitis. He had a prolonged care unit stay and had percutaneous tracheostomy performed on day 14 of his admission. He subsequently developed persistent right basal infiltrates and atelectasis on chest radiographs that were slow to respond to antibiotic treatment. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed the cause of his infiltrates to be a 14-cm tip section of closed suction catheter tubing that had presumably fractured during suctioning and became lodged in his trachea and right main bronchus. LEARNING POINT: Foreign body aspiration should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persisting lung infiltrates or atelectasis in all patients. CONCLUSION: This case describes a rare cause of endobronchial obstruction in a ventilated patient. Medical staff requires education about the importance of ensuring that suction catheters and other airway adjuncts are intact following use to prevent possible airway foreign bodies.

Helminth species richness in wild wood mice, Apodemus sylvaticus, is enhanced by the presence of the intestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus.

We analysed 3 independently collected datasets of fully censused helminth burdens in wood mice, Apodemus sylvaticus, testing the a priori hypothesis of Behnke et al. (2005) that the presence of the intestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus predisposes wood mice to carrying other species of helminths. In Portugal, mice carrying H. polygyrus showed a higher prevalence of other helminths but the magnitude of the effect was seasonal. In Egham, mice with H. polygyrus showed a higher prevalence of other helminth species, not confounded by other factors. In Malham Tarn, mice carrying H. polygyrus were more likely to be infected with other species, but only among older mice. Allowing for other factors, heavy residual H. polygyrus infections carried more species of other helminths in both the Portugal and Egham data; species richness in Malham was too low to conduct a similar analysis, but as H. polygyrus worm burdens increased, so the prevalence of other helminths also increased. Our results support those of Behnke et al. (2005), providing firm evidence that at the level of species richness a highly predictable element of co-infections in wood mice has now been defined: infection with H. polygyrus has detectable consequences for the susceptibility of wood mice to other intestinal helminth species.