Comparison of the diagnostic performance of microscopic examination, Copro-ELISA, and Copro-PCR in the diagnosis of Capillaria philippinensis infections.

Intestinal capillariasis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by the tiny nematode parasite Capillaria philippinensis. It is a major health problem that may lead to death if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. The difficulties in the diagnosis of C. philippinensis highlight the importance of developing accurate, sensitive, and specific methods for early diagnosis. This study aimed to detect the presence of C. philippinensis infection among 42 clinically suspected patients with certain criteria that are highly suggestive of capillariasis and to compare the diagnostic yield of microscopy, copro-ELISA, and PCR for the detection of copro-DNA. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data were also described for the infected group. Out of 42 patients, 10 were microscopically positive, 40 samples were positive by copro-ELISA, nested PCR detected 35 positive cases, with total detection rates of 23.8%, 95.2%, and 83.3% using direct microscopic examination, copro-ELISA, and PCR, respectively. The majority of positive cases were females, middle-aged people, and people from rural areas. The real number of cases infected with C. philippinensis may far exceed those estimated using microscopy. The diagnosis by copro-ELISA for the detection of C. philippinensis coproantigen and by nested PCR to identify parasite DNA revealed a higher number of positive cases. Using ELISA for the detection of coproantigen is a sensitive test that identifies the infection, yet it is not specific. Copro-DNA offers a satisfactory sensitive and specific method for the detection of infection in clinically suspected patients. The most susceptible individuals to C. philippinensis infection are females, middle-aged people, and people of low social standards. Intestinal capillariasis needs to be considered in patients who present with symptoms of chronic diarrhea and hypoalbuminemia because if these cases are left undiagnosed and untreated, they may suffer from lethal complications.

Discovery of two highly divergent negative-sense RNA viruses associated with the parasitic nematode, Capillaria hepatica, in wild Mus musculus from New York City.

Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing technology have led to a rapid expansion in the number of viral sequences associated with samples from vertebrates, invertebrates and environmental samples. Accurate host identification can be difficult in assays of complex samples that contain more than one potential host. Using unbiased metagenomic sequencing, we investigated wild house mice (Mus musculus) and brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from New York City to determine the aetiology of liver disease. Light microscopy was used to characterize liver disease, and fluorescent microscopy with in situ hybridization was employed to identify viral cell tropism. Sequences representing two novel negative-sense RNA viruses were identified in homogenates of wild house mouse liver tissue: Amsterdam virus and Fulton virus. In situ hybridization localized viral RNA to Capillaria hepatica, a parasitic nematode that had infected the mouse liver. RNA from either virus was found within nematode adults and unembryonated eggs. Expanded PCR screening identified brown rats as a second rodent host for C. hepatica as well as both nematode-associated viruses. Our findings indicate that the current diversity of nematode-associated viruses may be underappreciated and that anatomical imaging offers an alternative to computational host assignment approaches.

Immune responses induced by co-infection with Capillaria hepatica in Clonorchis sinensis-infected rats.

Clonorchis sinensis and Capillaria hepatica are zoonotic parasites that mainly infect the liver and cause serious liver disorders. However, immunological parameters induced by co-infection with these parasites remain unknown. In this study, for the first time, we investigated immunological profiles induced by co-infection with C. hepatica (CH) in C. sinensis (CS)-infected rats (Sprague-Dawley). Rats were infected primarily with 50 metacercariae of C. sinensis; 4 weeks later, they were subsequently infected with 1000 infective C. hepatica eggs. Significantly higher levels of C. sinensis- or C. hepatica-specific IgG antibodies were found in the sera of rats. Interestingly, no cross-reacting antibody was observed between C. sinensis and C. hepatica infections. Significantly raised eosinophil levels were found in the blood of C. sinensis/C. hepatica co-infected rats (CS + CH) compared to the blood of rats infected singly with C. sinensis. Co-infected rats showed significantly higher levels of lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production compared to a single C. sinensis infection. The worm burden of C. sinensis was significantly reduced in co-infected rats compared to the single C. sinensis infection. These results indicate that the eosinophils, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production induced by subsequent infection with C. hepatica in C. sinensis-infected rats might contribute to the observed C. sinensis worm reduction.

Efficacy of a novel topical combination of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel against feline urinary bladder worm (Capillaria plica) infection.

Infection with urinary capillarid bladder worms has been observed in cats worldwide. Although considered as generally causing no or little harm, infection with urinary capillarids may be associated with clinical disease which requires an appropriate treatment including the use of anthelmintics. Therefore, the efficacy of a novel topical combination formulation of fipronil 8.3% (w/v), (S)-methoprene 10% (w/v), eprinomectin 0.4% (w/v), and praziquantel 8.3% (w/v) (BROADLINE(®), Merial) was evaluated against urinary capillarids in naturally infected cats. Sixteen European Short Hair cats (5 male, 11 female) with capillarid eggs in their urine pre-treatment were included in the study. At the time of treatment, the cats were approximately ten months to eight years old and weighed 1.6-3.6 kg. Cats were ranked based on decreasing bodyweight and then randomly allocated within replicates of two animals to one of the treatment groups. Each cat in the treated group received one topical application of the combination product at the minimum therapeutic dose of 0.12 mL/kg body weight delivering 10mg fipronil+12 mg (S)-methoprene+0.5mg eprinomectin+10mg praziquantel per kilogram of body weight while the cats allocated to the control group remained untreated. For parasite recovery, identification and count, cats were euthanized humanely 14 days after treatment. All untreated cats harboured Capillaria plica in their urinary bladders (range 4-12), while no capillarids were recovered from the eight treated cats. Thus, the efficacy of the novel topical combination against C. plica was 100%. All cats accepted the treatment well based on post-treatment observations and daily observations thereafter. No adverse events or other health problems were observed during the study.

Molecular phylogeny of Pseudocapillaroides xenopi (Moravec et Cosgrov 1982) and development of a quantitative PCR assay for its detection in aquarium sediment.

We used high-fidelity PCR to amplify a portion of the small ribosomal subunit (18S rRNA) of Pseudocapillaroides xenopi, a nematode that parasitizes the skin of Xenopus laevis. The 1113-bp amplicon was cloned, sequenced, and aligned with sequences from 22 other nematodes in the order Trichocephalida; Caenorhabditis elegans was used as the outgroup. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian inference phylogenetic analyses clustered P. xenopi in a clade containing only members of the genus Capillaria. Our analyses support the following taxonomic relationships: 1) members of the family Trichuridae form a clade distinct from those in the family Trichocephalida; 2) members of the genera Trichuris and Capillaria form 2 distinct clades within the family Trichuridae; and 3) the genus Trichuris includes 2 distinct clades, one representing parasites that infect herbivores and the other representing parasites that infect omnivores and carnivores. Using 18S rRNA sequence unique to P. xenopi, we developed a Taq Man quantitative PCR assay to detect this P. xenopi sequence in total DNA isolated from aquarium sediment. The assay's lower limit of detection is 3 copies of target sequence in a reaction. The specificity of our assay was validated by using negative control DNA from 9 other pathogens of Xenopus. Our quantitative PCR assay detected P. xenopi DNA in the sediment of 2 of 12 aquaria from the source institution of the specimen used to develop the assay; these aquaria had been treated with ivermectin 6 mo previously.

[Investigation of Capillaria hepatica infection in rodents from Wuhan section of Yangtze River marshland].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of Capillaria hepatica in rodents from Wuhan section of the Yangtze River marshland. METHODS: Rodents were trapped in Jiang'an section of Wuhan marshland of the Yangtze River. The livers of the rodents were examined for pathological changes by unaided eyes and the liver tissues were examined for the eggs of C. hepatica by a microscope. RESULTS: According to the natural conditions, the investigation was carried out in 6 survey areas. Each survey area was placed with 60 mousetraps, and all 360 mousetraps were recovered. A total of 31 rodents (rodent density 8.61%) were captured and examined, including 24 Apodemus agrarius, 3 Rattus norvegicus, 4 Sorex caecutiens, and C. hepatica eggs were found in 1 R. norvegicus (1/3) and not found in A. agrarius, and S. caecutiens. CONCLUSION: This study has documented a prevalence of C. hepatica in rodents from Wuhan section of the Yangtze River marshland where is a natural epidemic focus of capillariasis hepatica.

Calodium hepaticum (Nematoda: Capillariidae) in synanthropic rodents (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) in Eastern Amazonia.

Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a trichurid nematode that parasitizes the hepatic parenchyma of rodents and other mammals. Infections in humans are rare, although they have been reported worldwide. A number of factors contribute to the distribution of this zoonosis, particularly the presence of dense populations of rodents associated with relatively poor urban environments, such as those found in parts of the northern Brazilian city of Belém in the eastern Amazon Basin. This study quantified Calodium infections in commensal synanthropic rodents in Belém. Rodents were captured in three neighborhoods characterized by poor public sanitation and the city's highest incidence of human leptospirosis. A total of 50 rodents were captured (26 Rattus rattus and 24 R. norvegicus), and 23 (10 R. rattus and 13 R. norvegicus) presented macroscopic lesions typical of C. hepaticum. Light microscopy of fresh samples and histological specimens permitted the identification of larvae and adult specimens containing numerous eggs with a double-striated shell and bipolar opercula with plugs. This is the first report of C. hepaticum in R. rattus and R. norvegicus from the Amazon Basin, and it shows a considerable risk of transmission to the local human population.

A simple method to count total faecal Capillaria worm eggs in racing pigeons (Columba livia).

Capillaria columbae and C. longicollis are fine threadworms found in racing pigeons' small intestines that produce a characteristic lemon shaped bipolar egg. Clinically, capillariasis in racing pigeons can present as severe illness and it has been suggested that worms may affect race performance. A major aim of this study was to validate a cheap, simple to perform flotation technique for counting Capillaria worm eggs in racing pigeon droppings. Trials using reference samples of pigeon droppings laced with 348, 275 and 129 Capillaria eggs per gram, found a typical flotation method based on the modified Wisconsin technique to be inaccurate at counting worm eggs. The main sources of error were due to the loss of eggs in the faecal discard and insufficient flotation time. A new technique, using 0.15 g sample size and 8h flotation time resulted in significantly improved test accuracy. On average the new technique recovered 93% of eggs from reference samples with 129-348 epg concentration, recovering 197 times more eggs than the modified Wisconsin technique. Typical percentage error, as a measure of absolute reliablility, was 10% for the new technique and 50% for the modified Wisconsin technique. The regression line on a test-retest series of samples over a range of egg counts from 0 to 573 epg had a gradient of 0.96 (y=0.96x+6.28; r(2)=0.8408) for the new technique and 0.54 (y=0.54x+0.06; r(2)=0.4249) for the modified Wisconsin technique. The Pearson product moment correlations of the new technique and the modified Wisconsin technique were 0.92 and 0.65 respectively. As measures of relative reliability both the gradient of the regression line and the Pearson product moment correlation further suggested better repeatability of the new technique. It was concluded that the new technique would be an appropriate quantitative method of assessing worm egg burdens in racing pigeons.

Calodium hepaticum (Nematoda: Capillariidae) in synanthropic rodents (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) in Eastern Amazonia / Primeiro relato de Calodium hepaticum (Nematoda:Capillariidae) em roedores sinantrópicos (Rattus norvegicus e Rattus rattus) na amazonia oriental

Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a trichurid nematode that parasitizes the hepatic parenchyma of rodents and other mammals. Infections in humans are rare, although they have been reported worldwide. A number of factors contribute to the distribution of this zoonosis, particularly the presence of dense populations of rodents associated with relatively poor urban environments, such as those found in parts of the northern Brazilian city of Belém in the eastern Amazon Basin. This study quantified Calodium infections in commensal synanthropic rodents in Belém. Rodents were captured in three neighborhoods characterized by poor public sanitation and the city's highest incidence of human leptospirosis. A total of 50 rodents were captured (26 Rattus rattus and 24 R. norvegicus), and 23 (10 R. rattus and 13 R. norvegicus) presented macroscopic lesions typical of C. hepaticum. Light microscopy of fresh samples and histological specimens permitted the identification of larvae and adult specimens containing numerous eggs with a double-striated shell and bipolar opercula with plugs. This is the first report of C. hepaticum in R. rattus and R. norvegicus from the Amazon Basin, and it shows a considerable risk of transmission to the local human population.

Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) é um nematódeo trichurídeo parasito de parênquima hepático de roedores e outros mamíferos. As infecções em humanos são raras, mas são relatadas em diversas regiões do mundo. Numerosos fatores contribuem para a distribuição desta zoonose, particularmente, uma densa população de roedores associada com ambientes urbanos com carência de saneamento básico, tais como aqueles encontrados em algumas cidades da região Norte do Brasil, como a cidade de Belém, localizada na Amazônia Oriental. Este estudo quantifica e demonstra a infecção por Calodium em roedores comensais sinantrópicos, de três bairros da cidade de Belém, Estado do Pará, com carência de saneamento público e alta incidência de leptospirose humana. Um total de 50 roedores foram capturados para análise (26 Rattus rattus e 24 R. norvegicus) e destes, 23 (10 R. rattus e 13 R. norvegicus) apresentaram típicas lesões hepáticas, macroscópicas, causadas por C. hepaticum. A análise de amostras por microscopia de luz direta e histopatológica do fígado dos roedores permitiu a identificação de espécimes desse parasito em fase larvar e adulta, além de numerosos ovos apresentando dupla casca estriada e dois tampões operculares. Este é o primeiro registro da ocorrência de C. hepaticum in R. rattus and R. norvegicus na região Amazônica, alertando para um considerável risco de transmissão para a população humana.

Capillaria hepatica in man--an overview of hepatic capillariosis and spurious infections.

Capillaria hepatica (syn. for Calodium hepaticum) is a zoonotic nematode parasitizing in the livers of rodents as main hosts and in numerous other mammals including humans. It is the causative agent of the rare conditions of hepatic capillariosis and spurious C. hepatica infections in humans. In this review, 163 reported cases of infestations with this parasite (72 reports of hepatic capillariosis, 13 serologically confirmed infestations and 78 observations of spurious infections) are summarized with an overview on the distribution, symptoms, pathology, diagnosis, serology and therapy of this rare human pathogen.

[Fecundity of Thominx neopulchra (Nematoda:Capillariidae) from bats of the genus Myotis (Chiroptera:Vespertilionidae)].

Variability of absolute fecundity of nematode Thominx neopulchra from three species of genus Myotis was studies on the territory Zhiguli State Reserve in 2007, 2008. Significant differences in the fecundity of the nematode females depending on host species and sex, size of the parasite, number of the helminthes in a given host, and season of year were revealed.

Splenic mass of masked shrews, Sorex cinereus, in relation to body mass, sex, age, day of the year, and bladder nematode, Liniscus (=Capillaria) maseri, infection.

The spleen is an important organ of vertebrates. Splenic mass can change in response to a variety of factors. We tested whether splenic mass of masked shrews, Sorex cinereus, was related to sex, age, time of the year, or intensity of bladder nematode (Liniscus [=Capillaria] maseri) infection, after controlling for host body mass. For females, body mass was a strong predictor of splenic mass. For males, splenic masses were greater later in the year and in more heavily infected males. The latter appeared to represent a threshold response wherein only the most heavily infected individuals had enlarged spleens.

Mortality associated with fenbendazole administration in pigeons (Columba livia).

A group of 12 domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) was treated for capillariasis by use of fenbendazole at 30 mg/kg orally once daily for 5 d. After treatment, 8 of the 12 pigeons exhibited signs of anorexia, lethargy, and dehydration; these birds died within 2 d after the onset of clinical signs. A total of 6 birds were necropsied, and all had unremarkable gross findings. Microscopic examination of tissues revealed acute hemorrhagic enteritis, diffuse lymphoplasmacytic enteritis, small intestinal crypt necrosis, periportal lymphoplasmacytic hepatitis, bile duct hyperplasia, and renal tubular necrosis. Erythrocytes in blood samples collected from surviving birds demonstrated polychromasia compatible with a regenerative anemia. The clinical and histopathologic findings in these pigeons were consistent with recent reports of fenbendazole toxicity in domestic pigeons and other columbiform birds.

Pathogenesis of septal fibrosis of the liver. (An experimental study with a new model.).

Septal fibrosis is an important, frequent, and non-specific type of fibrosis associated with chronic liver diseases, but its pathogenesis is still poorly understood. An interesting model of septal fibrosis occurs in rats infected with the nematode Capillaria hepatica. This model was used to investigate the pathogenesis, site of origin, structure, and cell-types of septal fibrosis. Forty young adult Wistar rats were inoculated with 800 embryonated eggs of C. hepatica. Daily liver samples were obtained from the 20th to the 39th day after inoculation to cover the critical period when septal fibrosis usually starts. Routine histology, electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and indirect immunofluorescence were applied to the study of liver sections. Septal blood vessels were demonstrated by India ink perfusion of the portal vein system. Prominent angiogenesis was observed to precede collagen deposition. Besides angiogenesis and mesenchymal-cell mobilization, septal fibrosis was seen to originate from portal spaces and to course through acinar zone I in between sinusoids, inducing no alterations in them, with no evident participation of stellate hepatic cells. Septal fibrosis appeared as an adaptative type of response of the liver to chronic injury, which resulted in a new structure that is normal to other species and creates accessory vessels that drain portal blood into hepatic sinusoids.

Helminth fauna of Talpa spp. in the Palaearctic Realm.

The helminth fauna of the genus Talpa in the Palaearctic Realm is reviewed. Several helminth species reported in Talpa spp. by a number of authors are discussed, with reference to host specificity, parasite biology, and host ethology, ecology and phylogeny. Twelve species of cestodes were found, two of which exhibit stenoxenous specificity (Staphylocystis bacillaris and Multitesticulata filamentosa). Only three species of trematodes, Ityogonimus lorum, Ityogonimus ocreatus and Combesia macrobursata, are exclusive parasites of Talpa spp. The largest group are nematodes, with 37 species. Species of Tricholinstowia are parasites of holarctic talpids and several species of distinct genera, such as Capillaria, Soboliphyme and Trichuris, are found only in Talpa spp. Only acanthocephalans of the genus Moniliformis have been reported in moles of the genus Talpa. On the basis of these helminthological findings, the close phylogenetic relationship between moles (Talpidae) and shrews (Soricidae) supports the separation of the ordinal levels Soricomorpha and Erinaceomorpha.

Parasitic lesions of bovine liver attributed to capillaria species.

Among meat inspectors in Hokkaido, Japan, the term "bovine parasitic hepatitis" (BPH) has long been used to refer to a hepatic disorder characterized by multiple small yellowish lesions. However, the aetiology is unknown. By means of detailed histopathological examination, fragments of parasitic worms resembling Capillaria were detected in nine (2.25%) of 400 livers showing BPH lesions. Histologically, the degenerative lesions showed eosinophilic papillary endothelial hyperplasia of the interlobular veins and eosinophilic membranous structures in the eosinophilic granulomatous areas of inflammation. These characteristic findings differed from those of hepatic capillariasis of other animal species. BPH was found in 5-20% of milk cows examined throughout Hokkaido, and was also detected in cattle from another prefecture and from Australia. Possibly the same parasitic disorder, albeit undiagnosed, is more widespread.

[Biodiversity of Capillariinae]. / Róznorodnós biologiczna kapilarii.

The subfamily Capillariinae includes about 300 species of nematodes parasitizing all groups of vertebrates. Taxonomy and systematics of this parasites have been changed many times because of a difficulty in designation of particular species' features. That's why there are a lot of synonyms in this group. Nowadays most authors accept the systematics, of Capillariinae according to Moravec. Biology and ecology of species parasitizing breeding birds and mammals is well known, however data relative to capillaria of wild animals are fragmentary. Capillariinae parasitize in various part of alimentary system: mainly in intestine, stomach, duodenum, rarely in oesophagus, rectum or bursa of Fabricius and liver as well as respiratory and excretory systems. Pathogenicity depends on localization of nematodes and the age of the hosts, and on infection intensity. Species recorded in human beings are: Aonchotheca philippinensis, Eucoleus aerophilus and Calodium hepaticum. They are a cause of intestinal, lung and hepatic capillariosis.

Parasite biodiversity in Rattus spp caught in wet markets.

Rattus spp trapped in wet markets in Quiapo, Manila and Balayan, Batangas had ectoparasites, Echinolaelaps echidnius (mite), and Polyplax spinulosa (louse). The endoparasites identified were Hymenolepis diminuta; the acanthocephalan Moniliformis moniliformis; Taenia taeniaeformis strobilocercus larvae and Capillaria hepatica in liver; Trichosomoides crassicauda of the urinary bladder; Sarcocystis sp of muscle tissue; and two different species of stronglyloid-looking intestinal nematodes. Rats had 100% infection with C. hepatica and T. taeniaeformis, exhibiting high parasitemia. The co-existence of rats with diverse parasitic species is reflective of the host's capability to support parasites' behavioral, physiological, and developmental needs. Despite heavy infection with intestinal parasites, and marked hepatic tissue damage owing to severe capillariasis and strobilocercus larval infection, all rats appeared healthy and agile, suggestive of a well-established rat host-parasite relationship. In view of the diversity and zoonotic nature of rat parasites, and the impoverished conditions prevailing in communities where Rattus spp survive and proliferate, they can readily facilitate parasite transmission to humans and other susceptible animal hosts.

[Immune response of jackdaw (Corvus monedula) to antigens of Capillaria resecta (Nematoda)-western blotting analysis]. / Odpowiedz immunologiczna kawki (Corvus monedula) przeciwko antygenom nicienia Capillaria resecta--technika western blotting.

Biotinylated surface and somatic protein extracts of the nematode Capillaria resecta were analysed by SDS-PAGE followed by Western blotting in order to examine their antigenic character. The antigens were probing with serum of C. resecta naturally infected birds (jackdaws). Surface and somatic antigens were recognised by serum IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies. The most intense reactivity of sera was evident with TBS-soluble surface proteins. The present paper has shown that surface proteins of C. resecta are more immunogenic than somatic and they are able to elicit stronger immune response in the bird's body.

Physiological responses of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) to infection with Capillaria hepatica (Nematoda).

Negative effects due to infection have not been documented for most natural host-parasite associations. I performed an infection experiment to measure the physiological consequences of infection by Capillaria hepatica in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis). Compared to their uninfected siblings, infected mice displayed increased serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase and total proteins and reduced concentrations of albumin. Infected mice also had higher hematocrits and enlarged livers and spleens. There was no difference in swimming endurance between infected and control animals, possibly because mice did not perform at maximum aerobic capacity. Sex differences in alkaline phosphatase and albumin levels suggest that females are more sensitive to similar burdens of C. hepatica. Different hematocrit responses between mice from 2 localities suggest that historical associations can lead to evolutionary change in pathophysiology caused by this nematode. Further experiments would reveal whether these disturbances lead to reductions in host fitness.