New Parabasalia symbionts Snyderella spp. and Daimonympha gen. nov. from South American Rugitermes termites and the parallel evolution of a cell with a rotating "head".

Most Parabasalia are symbionts in the hindgut of "lower" (non-Termitidae) termites, where they widely vary in morphology and degree of morphological complexity. Large and complex cells in the class Cristamonadea evolved by replicating a fundamental unit, the karyomastigont, in various ways. We describe here four new species of Calonymphidae (Cristamonadea) from Rugitermes hosts, assigned to the genus Snyderella based on diagnostic features (including the karyomastigont pattern) and molecular phylogeny. We also report a new genus of Calonymphidae, Daimonympha, from Rugitermes laticollis. Daimonympha's morphology does not match that of any known Parabasalia, and its SSU rRNA gene sequence corroborates this distinction. Daimonympha does however share a puzzling feature with a few previously described, but distantly related, Cristamonadea: a rapid, smooth, and continuous rotation of the anterior end of the cell, including the many karyomastigont nuclei. The function of this rotatory movement, the cellular mechanisms enabling it, and the way the cell deals with the consequent cell membrane shear, are all unknown. "Rotating wheel" structures are famously rare in biology, with prokaryotic flagella being the main exception; these mysterious spinning cells found only among Parabasalia are another, far less understood, example.

Identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in preputial washes of bulls in Brazil / Identificação de Pentatrichomonas hominis em lavado prepucial de touros no Brasil

The parabasalid Pentatrichomonas hominis is generally considered to represent a symbiotic component of the gastrointestinal microbiota in a wide variety of vertebrate hosts including humans. Nevertheless, a limited number of studies have raised the possibility that it may act as a pathogen of humans, dogs, and pigs and that some human infections may have a zoonotic origin. Data from North America revealed an association between P. hominis and the bovine urogenital tract, principally in bulls and rarely in cows. The importance of this observation is linked to possible interference in the accurate diagnosis of the economically important venereal pathogen Tritrichomonas foetus. The current study employed culture-based and molecular methods to examine the preputial cavities of four breeding bulls, raised in open pasture in southeastern Brazil, for the presence of trichomonads. Motile protozoa were isolated from three of the bulls and were definitively identified as P. hominis based on nucleotide sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons derived from the ribosomal RNA operon (ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2) of the parasite. The potential implications of these findings for bovine and human health are discussed.(AU)

O parabasalídeo Pentatrichomonas hominis é geralmente considerado um componente simbiótico da microbiota gastrointestinal em uma ampla variedade de hospedeiros vertebrados, incluindo os humanos. No entanto, um número limitado de estudos levantou a possibilidade de que possa atuar como patógeno de humanos, cães e suínos, e que algumas infecções humanas possam ter origem zoonótica. Dados da América do Norte revelaram uma associação entre P. hominis e o trato urogenital bovino, principalmente, em touros e raramente em vacas. A importância dessa observação está ligada a uma possível interferência no diagnóstico preciso do patógeno venéreo de importância econômica Tritrichomonas foetus. O presente estudo empregou métodos baseados em cultura em combinação com técnicas moleculares, para examinar as cavidades prepuciais de quatro touros, criados em pastagem aberta no sudeste do Brasil, quanto à presença de tricomonas. Protozoários móveis foram isolados de três dos touros e foram definitivamente identificados como P. hominis com base no sequenciamento de nucleotídeos de amplicons geradas pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), empregando a região RNA ribossômico (ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2) do parasita como alvo. Os potenciais implicações desses achados para a saúde bovina e humana são discutidas.(AU)

[Lung infection by lophomonas spp. in a female patient with acute myeloid leukemia]. / Infección pulmonar por Lophomonas sp en una paciente con leucemia mieloide aguda.

Protozoic infections are prevalent worldwide, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. We reported the case of a patient from the city of Viña del Mar, Chile, a carrier of acute myeloid leukemia in whom an infection by Lophomonas sp. was confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage. She was treated with antibiotics but died of complications of the underlying disease. There is little literature available on this microorganism. We conclude that Lophomonas sp. should be considered as a diagnostic possibility if protozoa are found in bronchoalveolar lavage of immunosuppressed patients.

Las infecciones por protozoos son prevalentes a nivel mundial, en particular en pacientes inmunosuprimidos. Comunicamos el caso de una paciente procedente de la ciudad de Viña del Mar, Chile, portadora de leucemia mieloide aguda en quiense confirmó una infección por Lophomonas sp. en lavado bronquioalveolar. Se manejó con antibióticos, pero falleció decomplicaciones de su enfermedad de base. Existe poca literatura disponible respecto a este microorganismo. Concluimos que debe considerarse a Lophomonas sp. como posibilidad diagnóstica si se encuentran protozoos en lavados bronquioalveolares de pacientes inmunosuprimidos.

Infección pulmonar por Lophomonas sp en una paciente con leucemia mieloide aguda / Lung infection by lophomonas spp. in a female patient with acute myeloid leukemia

RESUMEN Las infecciones por protozoos son prevalentes a nivel mundial, en particular en pacientes inmunosuprimidos. Comunicamos el caso de una paciente procedente de la ciudad de Viña del Mar, Chile, portadora de leucemia mieloide aguda en quiense confirmó una infección por Lophomonas sp. en lavado bronquioalveolar. Se manejó con antibióticos, pero falleció decomplicaciones de su enfermedad de base. Existe poca literatura disponible respecto a este microorganismo. Concluimos que debe considerarse a Lophomonas sp. como posibilidad diagnóstica si se encuentran protozoos en lavados bronquioalveolares de pacientes inmunosuprimidos.

ABSTRACT Protozoic infections are prevalent worldwide, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. We reported the case of a patient from the city of Viña del Mar, Chile, a carrier of acute myeloid leukemia in whom an infection by Lophomonas sp. was confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage. She was treated with antibiotics but died of complications of the underlying disease. There is little literature available on this microorganism. We conclude that Lophomonas sp. should be considered as a diagnostic possibility if protozoa are found in bronchoalveolar lavage of immunosuppressed patients.

Parasitic profiling of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) on two farms with conventional production system in the Amazon region / Perfil parasitário de codornas (Coturnix japonica) em duas granjas com sistema convencional de produção na Amazônia

The health monitoring and management systems of coturniculture can be deemed to be in a developmental phase when compared to the poultry industry. Studies regarding taxonomy and parasitic biology in quails (Coturnix japonica) has not been well conducted in Brazil. Most of the information is available from the autopsy case reports, in many ways the parasitic fauna of quails is still unknown. The aim of this study was to conduct a parasitological research in quails in order to contribute to ameliorate this situation. 31 quails, which were 12 months old, were used for the study. Their carcasses and viscera were sent to the Laboratory of Entomology and Tropical Diseases, INPA, Manaus/AM. The circulatory, nervous, respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems of these were studied separately. No blood parasites were found, however, nine species of endoparasites were registered which were distributed among the classes Cestoda, Nematoda and Protozoa. The helminths were distributed in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and oviduct. The cecum was found to be the most parasitized organ and contained a wide range of parasites having three species of protozoa and three species of nematodes. Six morphotypes of Eutrichomastix globosus were recorded, and some morphotypes were hyperparasitized with sporangia Sphaerita sp. in the cytoplasm. A large number of parasites were recorded in this study, as well as the protozoan Blastocystis hominis was first being observed for quail.(AU)

A coturnicultura conta com um monitoramento sanitário e sistemas de manejo ainda em desenvolvimento quando comparado à avicultura industrial. Pesquisas de taxonomia e biologia parasitárias em codornas (Coturnix japonica) são pouco realizadas no Brasil, sendo a maioria das informações disponíveis referentes a relatos de caso em achados de necropsia, portanto, em muitos aspectos a fauna parasitária de codornas é ainda desconhecida. Este trabalho teve por objetivo realizar uma pesquisa parasitológica em codornas em fim de postura. Para pesquisa foram disponibilizadas 31 codornas com idades de 12 meses. As carcaças e suas vísceras foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório de Entomologia e Doenças Tropicais INPA, Manaus/AM. Foram estudados separadamente os sistemas circulatórios, nervoso, respiratório, digestivo e reprodutivo. Das 31 codornas examinadas nenhuma apresentou hemoparasitos, contudo, foram registradas nove espécies de endoparasitos distribuídas entre as classes Cestoda, Nematoda e protozoários. Os helmintos distribuíam-se pelo duodeno, jejuno, íleo, cecos e oviduto. O ceco foi o órgão mais parasitado e com maior diversidade de parasitas, sendo três espécies de protozoários e três de nematóides. Foram registrados seis morfotipos de Eutrichomastix globosus, sendo que, alguns morfótipos estavam hiperparasitados com esporângio Sphaerita sp. no citoplasma. Uma grande variedade de parasitos foi registrada nesta pesquisa, bem como, o protozoário Blastocystis hominis pela primeira vez sendo descrito para codornas.(AU)

Parasitic profiling of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) on two farms with conventional production system in the Amazon region / Perfil parasitário de codornas (Coturnix japonica) em duas granjas com sistema convencional de produção na Amazônia

The health monitoring and management systems of coturniculture can be deemed to be in a developmental phase when compared to the poultry industry. Studies regarding taxonomy and parasitic biology in quails (Coturnix japonica) has not been well conducted in Brazil. Most of the information is available from the autopsy case reports, in many ways the parasitic fauna of quails is still unknown. The aim of this study was to conduct a parasitological research in quails in order to contribute to ameliorate this situation. 31 quails, which were 12 months old, were used for the study. Their carcasses and viscera were sent to the Laboratory of Entomology and Tropical Diseases, INPA, Manaus/AM. The circulatory, nervous, respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems of these were studied separately. No blood parasites were found, however, nine species of endoparasites were registered which were distributed among the classes Cestoda, Nematoda and Protozoa. The helminths were distributed in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and oviduct. The cecum was found to be the most parasitized organ and contained a wide range of parasites having three species of protozoa and three species of nematodes. Six morphotypes of Eutrichomastix globosus were recorded, and some morphotypes were hyperparasitized with sporangia Sphaerita sp. in the cytoplasm. A large number of parasites were recorded in this study, as well as the protozoan Blastocystis hominis was first being observed for quail.(AU)

A coturnicultura conta com um monitoramento sanitário e sistemas de manejo ainda em desenvolvimento quando comparado à avicultura industrial. Pesquisas de taxonomia e biologia parasitárias em codornas (Coturnix japonica) são pouco realizadas no Brasil, sendo a maioria das informações disponíveis referentes a relatos de caso em achados de necropsia, portanto, em muitos aspectos a fauna parasitária de codornas é ainda desconhecida. Este trabalho teve por objetivo realizar uma pesquisa parasitológica em codornas em fim de postura. Para pesquisa foram disponibilizadas 31 codornas com idades de 12 meses. As carcaças e suas vísceras foram encaminhadas ao Laboratório de Entomologia e Doenças Tropicais INPA, Manaus/AM. Foram estudados separadamente os sistemas circulatórios, nervoso, respiratório, digestivo e reprodutivo. Das 31 codornas examinadas nenhuma apresentou hemoparasitos, contudo, foram registradas nove espécies de endoparasitos distribuídas entre as classes Cestoda, Nematoda e protozoários. Os helmintos distribuíam-se pelo duodeno, jejuno, íleo, cecos e oviduto. O ceco foi o órgão mais parasitado e com maior diversidade de parasitas, sendo três espécies de protozoários e três de nematóides. Foram registrados seis morfotipos de Eutrichomastix globosus, sendo que, alguns morfótipos estavam hiperparasitados com esporângio Sphaerita sp. no citoplasma. Uma grande variedade de parasitos foi registrada nesta pesquisa, bem como, o protozoário Blastocystis hominis pela primeira vez sendo descrito para codornas.(AU)

The parabasalid symbiont community of Heterotermes aureus: Molecular and morphological characterization of four new species and reestablishment of the genus Cononympha.

The subterranean termite Heterotermes aureus is endemic to arid regions of southwestern USA and northern Mexico. Like other termites in the family Rhinotermitidae, it harbors a community of protists (Phylum Parabasalia) in its hindgut that aid in cellulose digestion. We investigated the hindgut community of H. aureus using light microscopy, single cell isolation, and high throughput amplicon sequencing. Here we describe four new parabasalid species from the classes Trichonymphea and Spirotrichonymphea. Three of the new species include Pseudotrichonympha aurea (Trichonymphea), Holomastigotoides aureus, and Holomastigotoides oxyrhynchus (Spirotrichonymphea). The fourth new species is a Spirotrichonympha-like protist for which we reinstate the genus Cononympha and describe under the name Cononympha aurea (Spirotrichonymphea). We also used high throughput amplicon sequencing with custom primers on DNA from fresh and ethanol preserved termites collected across the southwest USA and Mexico to investigate population-level differences in hindgut community composition. We report that the community is highly similar across populations: no additional parabasalid species were identified in any of the H. aureus specimens, but several specimens appeared to lack either C. aurea or H. oxyrhynchus.

Lophomonas blattarum and bronchopulmonary disease.

The natural habitat of the multiflagellate protozoon Lophomonas blattarum is as an endocommensal in the hindgut of insects such as cockroaches. However, it also causes bronchopulmonary disease in humans. The aim of this paper was to review the literature on this organism in the context of respiratory disease. The biology epidemiology, route of transmission, pathogenic mechanisms and diagnosis methods are also described. A total of 61 cases were identified in the literature. The majority of these reports were from China, with some cases from Peru and Spain. Most cases were adult males, although paediatric cases were reported in Peru. Clinical presentation was non-specific, including symptoms such as fever, cough and breathless. Antiprotozoal therapy was generally effective.

Molecular confirmation of Trichomonas gallinae and other parabasalids from Brazil using the 5.8S and ITS-1 rRNA regions.

Clinical, gross, and histopathology lesions and molecular characterization of Trichomonas spp. infection were described in two striped owls (Asio (Rhinoptynx) clamator), one American kestrel (Falco sparverius), two green-winged saltators (Saltator similis), and in a toco toucan (Ramphastos toco) from Brazil. These birds presented clinical signs including emaciation, ruffled feathers, abundant salivation and open mouth breathing presumably due to abundant caseous material. Gross lesions were characterized by multifocal yellow friable plaques on the surface of the tongue, pharynx and/or caseous masses partially occluding the laryngeal entrance. In the owls, the caseous material extended into the mandibular muscles and invaded the sinuses of the skull. Histopathologically, marked necrotic and inflammatory lesions were associated with numerous round to oval, pale eosinophilic structures (6-10µm) with basophilic nuclei, consistent with trichomonads. Organisms similar to those described above also were found in the liver of the two green-winged saltators. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of trichomonosis in a striped owl and a toco toucan. Sequence analysis of the Trichomonas spp. internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) region and partial 5.8S of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) disclosed significant genetic diversity. Two sequences had 100% identity to Trichomonas gallinae, whereas two sequences had a 99% and 92% identity to a Trichomonas vaginalis-like sequence, respectively. One sequence (green-winged saltator 502-08) had a 100% identity to a newly recognized genus Simplicomonas.

Molecular and morphological analysis of the family Calonymphidae with a description of Calonympha chia sp. nov., Snyderella kirbyi sp. nov., Snyderella swezyae sp. nov. and Snyderella yamini sp. nov.

Calonymphids are a group of multinucleate, multiflagellate protists belonging to the order Cristamonadida (Parabasalia) that are found exclusively in the hindgut of termites from the family Kalotermitidae. Despite their impressive morphological complexity and diversity, few species have been formally described and fewer still have been characterized at the molecular level. In this study, four novel species of calonymphids were isolated and characterized: Calonympha chia and Snyderella yamini spp. nov., from Neotermes castaneus and Calcaritermes nearcticus from Florida, USA, and Snyderella kirbyi and Snyderella swezyae, spp. nov., from Calcaritermes nigriceps and Cryptotermes cylindroceps from Colombia. Each of these species was distinguished from its congeners by residing in a distinct host and by differences at the molecular level. Phylogenetic analyses of small subunit (SSU) rDNA indicated that the genera Calonympha and Stephanonympha were probably not monophyletic, though the genus Snyderella, previously only represented by one sequence in molecular analyses, appeared with these new data to be monophyletic. This was in keeping with the traditional evolutionary view of the group in which the morphology of the genus Snyderella is considered to be derived, while that of the genus Stephanonympha is ancestral and therefore probably plesiomorphic.