Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

V R Southgate

Publications and source records attributed to V R Southgate.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Human schistosomiasis in India?

It was a common belief in the first half of this century that human schistosomiasis would not become established in India, despite the regular introduction of the disease by soldiers returning from active campaigns. This was based on the absence of known intermediate hosts for Schistosoma spp, yet in 1952 a focus of human schistosomiasis was discovered in Gimvi village, Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra State. The focus seems to be in recession, but the proposed large irrigation schemes centering upon the Narmada River may exacerbate schistosomiasis in domestic stock, and possibly in humans. Here, Vaughan Southgate and Matesh Agrawal discuss the findings in Gimvi, and the possibilities of human schistosomiasis in India in the future.

Journal Article↗

Pathology of natural infections of Schistosoma spindale Montgomery, 1906, in cattle.

The pathology of natural Schistosoma spindale infections in cattle in Sri Lanka was studied. Hepatic lesions were moderate with periportal cell infiltration and periportal epithelioid cell granulomas within perilobular zones. Submucosal and mucosal granulomas accompanied by cellular changes were present in the small and large intestine. Two unusual observations included the migration of an adult worm from the mesenteric veins to the mucosa of the small intestine in one bull and the presence of epithelioid cell granulomas containing slender living eggs in the urinary bladder of one animal. Intensities of infections, histopathological changes and immunological responses are discussed and comparison is made with other schistosome species.

Animals↗

The influence of Calicophoron microbothrium on the susceptibility of Bulinus tropicus to Schistosoma bovis.

A total of 480 snails were collected from 3 habitats on the Mau Escarpment, Kenya, and were identified as Bulinus tropicus. Of the 351 snails examined alive in London, 75 were infected with Calicophoron microbothrium, 39 with C. microbothrium and Schistosoma bovis, 1 with S. bovis, 24 with other species of trematodes and 212 were uninfected. Examination of digestive glands of B. tropicus either uninfected or infected with both C. microbothrium and S. bovis demonstrated that it is possible to differentiate between parasite and host enzyme activity using glucose phosphate isomerase. However, malate dehydrogenase enables a much clearer differentiation between the enzyme activity of the schistosome and that of the amphistome. Laboratory snail infection experiments demonstrated that it is possible successfully to infect B. tropicus with S. bovis if the snails have previously been exposed to miracidia of C. microbothrium.

Animals↗

Experimental chemotherapy of Schistosoma curassoni in mice.

Mice experimentally infected with Schistosoma curassoni were treated with different dose regimens of praziquantel, metrifonate, oxamniquine and hycanthone. Praziquantel was the most effective drug; a dose of 100 mg/kg given orally for 5 days resulted in a 95% reduction in worm burdens. The drug produced oogram changes in all animals. Metrifonate did not result in a reduced worm burden but caused oogram changes even on a low-dose (150 mg/kg during 2 consecutive days) schedule. Oxamniquine proved to be ineffective; no reduction in worm burdens or alterations in oograms were observed. Hycanthone (80 mg/kg for 1 day) resulted in a significant reduction in worm burdens.

Animals↗

The prevalence and pathology of Schistosoma nasale Rao, 1933 in cattle in Sri Lanka.

During 1987 a total of 1393 cattle was examined for Schistosoma nasale infection at the Kandy slaughterhouse, Sri Lanka. The overall prevalence was 12.6% (monthly range 3-17%). Based on the appearance of macroscopic lesions, 6 types (0-5) were recognized; type 5 being the most severe, with cauliflower-like growths obstructing the nasal cavity. Older bovines with 8 permanent incisors were more heavily infected (29.1%) than younger ones with no permanent incisors (6.0%). The severity of the lesions increased also with the age of the animals. Observations on the localization of the lesions showed that the first sessile nodular areas appear on the medial septum, on the dorsal edge of the ventral nasal concha and on the lateral wall of the middle meatus of the nasal cavity. Later, they gradually spread over the whole mucosal surface of the anterior part of the cavity but were rarely found further than 10 cm posterior to the nasal opening. The histopathology showed that granuloma formation due to the presence of eggs was the most common feature of the respiratory mucosa.

Abattoirs↗

Observations on the infectivity and fecundity of Schistosoma curassoni from Senegal in albino mice.

An average of 11% of adult Schistosoma curassoni were recovered from 200 albino mice which had been infected subcutaneously with 150-250 cercariae. Worms were primarily found in the portal veins. The average number of intrauterine eggs per female during the first 100 days p.i. was 13 and the average number of eggs produced per female worm was 103 per day for the first 60 days post oviposition. The majority of eggs were recovered from the liver (98.3%). The oograms were determined until day 95 p.i. For screening of antischistosomal drugs it is recommended not to use infections older than 60 d.p.i.

Animals↗

Clinical pathology of experimental Schistosoma curassoni infections in sheep and goats.

The clinical pathology of Schistosoma curassoni infection in sheep and goats was studied for 22 weeks following experimental infection with 7000 and 4000 cercariae, respectively. Excretion of eggs began at week 7 after infection: in goats the numbers increased to 30 to 50 eggs per gram faeces (epg) at weeks 8 to 18, followed by a reduction. In a pregnant goat, epg values increased markedly before and after parturition. The mean faecal egg counts in sheep were lower than in goats, increasing to a maximum level of 30 epg at weeks 16 and 17 after infection. Infected sheep maintained growth rates roughly comparable with controls, whereas infected goats failed to gain as much weight as the controls. Infected goats and sheep produced eosinophil counts of about 3 x 10(3) mm-3, five and eight weeks after infection, respectively. Sheep developed a progressive anaemia from week 11 after infection, in goats blood values remained within normal limits. Differences in serum protein concentration were observed between infected and uninfected goats about nine weeks after infection, but not in sheep. Increased total protein values, hyperglobulinaemia and lowered albumin to globulin ratios were features of infected goats. Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin were not significantly changed. The mean recovery in sheep was 608 worms, in goats 428 worms, but the total tissue egg counts were higher in the latter. Of the total eggs deposited in the goats 92 per cent were found in the liver with 51.5 per cent in the ovine liver. The histopathological changes were studied.

Animals↗

Relationships between cercarial indices of Schistosoma haematobium, S. bovis and S. curassoni from Senegal and the isoenzyme genotypes of the adult worms.

S. haematobium and S. curassoni appear to consist of three and two G6PDH genotypes respectively whereas only a single genotype has been observed in S. bovis. This genotype corresponds to one of those exhibited by S. curassoni, but the two species may be distinguished using the AcP enzyme system. The antero-dorsal cercarial indices for S. haematobium gave a mean of 0.78 ranging from 0.67 +/- 0.03 to 0.90 +/- 0.11; S. curassoni gave a mean of 1.11, ranging from 1.00 +/- 0.05 to 1.23 +/- 0.14 and S. bovis a mean of 1.30 within the range 1.01 +/- 0.25 to 1.67 +/- 0.18. From these data it is apparent that there is some correlation between antero-dorsal Cl and enzyme genotype: nevertheless the variation in Cl is somewhat greater than that observed in enzyme genotypes. Generally, Cl values lower than 0.90 can be considered to be due to S. haematobium, those above 1.15 to be S. bovis and intermediate values of 0.90-1.15 indicate S. curassoni.

Animals↗

[Morphology of the teguments of Schistosoma haematobium; comparison with S. curassoni, S. bovis and S. intercalatum].

Study by SEM of the anterior dorsal teguments of male Schistosoma haematobium from infected rodents. Only paired males, at least hundred days post infection, display a typical morphology. Differentiation from other closely related species obtained experimentally from rodents is possible: bovis: no spines on the tubercles; haematobium: tubercles 10 to 15 microns wide with closely packed spines; curassoni: tubercles over 15 microns wide, with large, closely packed spines; intercalatum: tubercles under 10 microns wide, with scattered spines. It is suggested that the three haematobium genotypes A, B and D are slightly different: A: pointed spines, numerous small additional spines between the tubercles; B: pointed spines, no small additional spines between the tubercles; D: blunt spines. Moreover, the lengths of the prepatent periods in the molluscs of the three S. haematobium genotypes are possibly different: A 72-86 days, B 38-46 days, D 55-58 days. The differentiation of A, B and D is supported by limited data and conclusions on this particular aspect are presented only as a working hypothesis.

Animals↗

[Morphology of the teguments of Schistosoma bovis; variations linked to the vertebrate host; comparison with S. curassoni].

S. E. M. study of the dorsal anterior one third of male Schistosoma bovis and of the anterior ventral border of the gynaecophoric duct. S. bovis was previously described as possessing spineless tubercles. This is so in specimens obtained from experimentally infected rodents, but in cattle, on the contrary, when conditions are favourable, teguments have spiny tubercles. Two morphological types have been observed: the first in Bos taurus from Sardinia, the second in domestic (Bos indicus) and wild (Hippotragus equinus and Damaliscus korrigum) bovids from Senegal, Tchad and Centrafrican Republic.

Animals↗

Scanning electron microscopy of the tegument of adult Schistosoma curassoni, and comparison with male S. bovis and S. haematobium from Senegal.

Scanning electron microscopical studies of adult male and female Schistosoma curassoni, male S. haematobium and male S. bovis are reported. The tubercles on the dorsal and dorso-lateral surfaces of male S. bovis are devoid of spines, whereas spines are present on the tubercles of male S. curassoni and S. haematobium. Some of the tubercles of S. curassoni and S. haematobium are completely covered in spines, whereas others have a spine-free apical area. Thus, on the isolates examined from Senegal it is concluded that adult male S. bovis can be easily distinguished from S. curassoni or S. haematobium on the basis of the structure of the tubercles. The surface of female S. curassoni is smooth, with transverse striations and a pitted appearance, apart from the posterior part where anteriorly pointing spines are found.

Animals↗

The pathology of experimental Schistosoma curassoni infections in mice and hamsters.

The histopathology of experimental Schistosoma curassoni infections in white mice and hamsters was studied. In mice, hepatic lesions were severe with characteristic extensive perilobular fibrosis and large perilobular granulomas throughout the parenchyma. Only a few granulomas were detected in the lung, small intestine, and rectum of mice. In hamsters, lesions in the liver were limited. Few granulomas were found but the giant cell reaction was pronounced. Lesions in the lung and small intestine were minimal. Many subserosal and submucosal epithelioid cell granulomas were in the colon and rectum of hamsters. Parasites were not detected in the bladder of either mice or hamsters.

Animals↗

Bulinus tropicus from Central Kenya acting as a host for Schistosoma bovis.

One hundred and twelve snails were collected from two habitats on the Mau Escarpment, Kenya and were provisionally identified as Bulinus tropicus from the characteristics of their shell and soft parts, chromosome number (n = 18), electrophoresis of egg protein on cellulose acetate strip and isoelectric focusing of AcP, GPI, HBDH, MDH and PGM digestive gland enzymes. Of the 55 specimens examined alive in London, 10 were infected with amphistome and schistosome larvae, 9 with amphistome larvae and the remainder were uninfected. The GPI and MDH separations of known infected snails showed two distinct areas of activity: host and parasite. Individual hamsters were exposed to schistosome cercariae emanating from each snail with a double infection (apart from one which died prematurely) and examination of the resulting adult worms showed that all were monomorphic for AcP with a band of enzyme activity at pH 6.45, characteristic of Schistosoma bovis. Examination of eggs found in two infections proved to be S. bovis in shape and size. Exposure of laboratory-bred snails of B. tropicus from the Mau Escarpment and other populations of B. tropicus proved negative. Thus, it is suggested that the presence of the amphistome infection may have a suppressive effect on the immune system of the snail, thereby allowing S. bovis to develop.

Animals↗

Bulinus tropicus, a natural intermediate host for Schistosoma margrebowiei in Lochinvar National Park, Zambia.

Snails, provisionally identified as Bulinus tropicus, on the basis of chromosome number, egg protein profile, AcP and HBDH enzymes of the digestive gland, and radular morphology, from Lochinvar National Park, Zambia have been demonstrated to transmit Schistosoma margrebowiei naturally. The identification of the unpaired male schistosomes was confirmed by PGM and AcP analyses. The observations confirm earlier epidemiological predictions, and add another species of mollusc to the two, B. forskalii and B. scalaris, known to be natural intermediate hosts of S. margrebowiei.

Animals↗

Pathology of Schistosoma curassoni infection in sheep.

The gross- and histopathology of natural and experimental Schistosoma curassoni infections in sheep were studied. The data obtained showed that S. curassoni infection in sheep causes only slight clinico-pathological manifestations with preferential involvement of the liver, the lower intestine and the urinary bladder. A variable spectrum of host reaction to the eggs within an individual animal was observed, reflecting the duration of presence of eggs in the organs. In the liver, egg granulomas were most numerous in the perilobular regions, while in the intestine, lesions were most pronounced in the mucosa of the rectum. The presence of eggs in 10% of the urinary bladders examined indicated some bladder involvement.

Animals↗

The epidemiology of human and animal schistosomiasis in the Senegal River Basin.

The results of four field surveys in Senegal are reported. 1. A snail survey in various parts of the Senegal River Basin, including the Senegal River, temporary rain-fed pools, swamps, irrigation canals and drains, ricefields and Lac de Guier was carried out. Three species of snails were commonly found: Bulinus guernei was the most common, occurring in permanent habitats, Bulinus senegalensis occurring in laterite pools in the eastern part of the Middle Valley, and also in the ricefields of Guédé Chantier and Lampsar; B. forskalii was found in small numbers in Lac de Guier and Richard Toll. Three B. guernei were found to be naturally infected with S. bovis. Neither B. jousseaumei, B. globosus nor B. umbilicatus were found in our surveys. 2. A survey for urinary schistosomiasis was carried out in 100 villages (walo, near the Senegal River) and 11 villages (diéré, away from the river) by delivering questionnaires in schools and by direct examinations of haematuria samples. The prevalence of haematuria varied between 0 and 33%. Generally, walos showed low rates of haematuria with the exception of Lampsar and Guédé Chantier, and diérés showed higher rates of haematuria. 3. Examination of 400 cattle at the abattoir St. Louis, revealed a prevalence of 80% of schistosome infection. Two species were present, S. bovis and less commonly S. curassoni. Sometimes high worm burdens were seen, but lesions appeared to be minimal because of high ratio of male to female worms. 4. Examinations of 5722 sheep and 1752 goats in the abattoir, Dakar revealed an overall prevalence of 2.1%. Of the infected animals, 97.3% were infected with S. curassoni and 2.7% with S. curasonni and S. bovis. Laboratory snail infection experiments showed that S. curassoni is marginally compatible with B. senegalensis, but incompatible with B. guernei.

Animals↗