[Methods of parasitic diseases control].
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Asymptomatic infection with either Entamoeba histolytica or Giardia lamblia was found in 60 per cent of the residents in an institution for the mentally retarded one year after eradication of these parasites. The residents were then segregated into infected and noninfected groups and drug therapy was again successfully undertaken. The two groups remained separated except during periods of play. A one-year follow-up showed that both study and control groups were equally infected. The failure of segregation was confounded by patient age and infection with nonpathogenic parasites.
Nomadism is a highly specialised mode of life that enables humans to exploit resources that are widely distributed over space and time. The isolation and remoteness of many nomad populations have limited studies on the macroepidemiology of parasitic infection in nomad populations. From the available information, the influence of a number of factors on the prevalence and transmission of parasitic infections in nomads is discussed. Environmental conditions, especially relative humidity and temperature, profoundly influence parasitic diseases. Human behaviour varies with cultural factors and influences exposure to disease. Periodic movements of nomads may either remove them and their animals from contaminated environments or may bring then into contact, often seasonally, with infections. There may be a strong ecological interdependence between diet and infection and disease in nomadic groups. Finally, the influence of drought can be profound in that seasonal or prolonged drought promotes concentration of populations in small areas or their sedenterisation, often with an increase in parasite transmission. Relevant information that needs to be acquired to develop appropriate practical and cost-effective health and veterinary care and control programmes for nomadic populations and their livestock is outlined.
The time lag between the administration of five different anthelmintics and the exertion of their ovicidal effect on worm eggs was monitored in five groups of Djallonke sheep. In this experiment, all the animals in all treated groups and an untreated control group were grazed together. Worm egg output and the number of infective strongylate nematode larvae (L3s) recovered from fecal cultures from each group were observed every four hours for 72 h. The earliest time observed for the occurrence of ovicidal effect resulting in the absence of L3s in fecal cultures was 8 h after the administration of the anthelmintics. However, this time was not the same for all the anthelmintics. The implication of the results are discussed in relation to its application for worm control.
Two distinct mechanisms seem to function in reducing oocyst output during Eimeria papillata infections in mice. For naive mice, immunity was afforded by a T-cell-independent gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) response mediated by natural killer (NK) cells. On reinfection, resistance was associated with T-cells and, to a lesser extent, perforin. To determine if antigen presentation with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules was required to control oocyst production by NK cells during primary infection or by T-cells during secondary infection, mutant mice that lacked H2-IAbeta(b) (Abeta(b)-/-) or beta2-microglobulin (beta2m-/-) were used. Since MHC molecules are required for the maturation of alphabeta T-cells, Abeta(b)-/- and beta2m-/- mutant mice are also deficient in functional alphabeta+CD4+ or alphabeta+CD8+ T-cells, respectively. As compared with wild-type control mice, oocyst output by mutant mice was not significantly affected during primary infection, suggesting that the ability of NK cells to control parasite replication is not dependent on the expression of MHC molecules. On reinfection, differences were observed for mutant mice as compared with controls. Abeta(b)-/- mice were found to be more susceptible than beta2m-/- mice, suggesting that the alphabeta+CD4+ T-cell subset plays a greater role in resistance to reinfection than does the alphabeta+CD8+ T-cell subset. The mechanism of resistance depends on the immune status of the host and requires the coordinated interaction of both alphabeta+ T-cell subsets for optimal parasite control during subsequent infections.
Macrophages are potent mediators of parasite control following in vitro activation, yet the subsets of mononuclear cells that contribute to resistance in vivo remain poorly defined. To identify effector cells that contribute to the control of Toxoplasma gondii during the initial stages of disseminated infection, we developed a low-dose intraperitoneal challenge model. A population of unusual macrophage-like cells was recruited to the peritoneal cavity during the first 4 days postinfection. Surprisingly, these cells expressed the granulocyte marker Gr-1 and the macrophage marker CD68. They also expressed high levels of major histocompatibility complex class II and low levels of F4/80 and CD11b and were negative for the immature myeloid cell marker CD31, the dendritic cell marker CD11c, and the B cell marker B220. Gr-1+ macrophages produced interleukin-12 p40, generated reactive nitrogen intermediates during acute infection, and inhibited virulent type I and nonvirulent type II strains of the parasite in vitro. Gr-1+ macrophages were the primary cell type recruited in response to nonvirulent type II strain parasites, and large numbers of neutrophils (Gr-1+/CD68-) were also recruited to the peritoneum in response to virulent type I strain parasites. Our findings suggest that activated CD68+/Gr-1+ macrophages contribute to parasite control during infection by directly inhibiting parasite replication and through production of T helper cell type I cytokines.
In contrast to the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, surprisingly little is known about the molecular aspects of reproduction in parasitic helminths. Investigations into such aspects would provide an improved understanding of the fundamentals of sexual differentiation, development, maturation and behaviour, as well as sex-specific genes and their expression. Such knowledge could lead to new means of parasite control by interfering with or disrupting one or more of these processes, which is particularly important given the emerging problems with genetic resistance in parasitic nematodes against anthelmintic drugs. This chapter brings together some relevant information on the sexual biology of C. elegans, summarizes studies of gender-specific expression in selected parasitic helminths of socio-economic significance, describes advanced molecular techniques for the analysis of gender-specific genes, and indicates the prospects for genomic research on reproductive processes and the implications thereof for controlling parasitic helminths.
Resistance to drugs and pesticides among internal and external parasites is an increasingly widespread problem both geographically and taxonomically. The development of highly effective pesticides by the chemical industry has led to an overreliance on chemotherapy aimed at maximum animal production or public health improvement through parasite control. Resistance to antiparasitic agents has developed in protozoa, helminths and insects. Considerable research efforts are being made around the world in an attempt to formulate sustainable programs of parasite control and resistance management. More than 120 delegates attended a spirited discussion at a Round table on resistance of parasites to antiparasitic drugs at ICOPA VII. Herein we attempt to summarise the main points made at the meeting. The complete texts of the papers submitted for discussion are being published: Resistance of Parasite to Antiparasitic Drugs (Boray, Martin and Roush, editors), MSD AGVET Division of Merck and Co. Inc. Rahway, NJ.
Doramectin was used in a strategic programme for the prevention of parasitic gastroenteritis in first season grazing calves. Three groups of nine calves were used: group 1 was left untreated, group 2 was treated with doramectin at 0.2 mg/kg at turnout and again eight weeks later, and group 3 was treated with 0.2 mg/kg ivermectin at three, eight and 13 weeks after turnout. Both treatment programmes prevented the gastroenteritis which occurred in the controls. The growth rates of the treated calves were superior, and their faecal egg output, and serum pepsinogen and gastrin concentrations were all substantially lower than those of the control calves. The numbers of Ostertagia species larvae on the pastures grazed by the treated calves were also lower than on the pastures grazed by the control calves.
Host cell cholesterol is implicated in the entry and replication of an increasing number of intracellular microbial pathogens. Although uptake of viral particles via cholesterol-enriched caveolae is increasingly well described, the requirement of cholesterol for internalization of eukaryotic pathogens is poorly understood and is likely to be partly organism specific. We examined the role of cholesterol in active host cell invasion by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) surrounding T. gondii contains cholesterol at the time of invasion. Although cholesterol-enriched parasite apical organelles termed rhoptries discharge at the time of cell entry and contribute to PVM formation, surprisingly, rhoptry cholesterol is not necessary for this process. In contrast, host plasma membrane cholesterol is incorporated into the forming PVM during invasion, through a caveolae-independent mechanism. Unexpectedly, depleting host cell plasma membrane cholesterol blocks parasite internalization by reducing the release of rhoptry proteins that are necessary for invasion. Cholesterol back-addition into host plasma membrane reverses this inhibitory effect of depletion on parasite secretion. These data define a new mechanism by which host cholesterol specifically controls entry of an intracellular pathogen.
The complex relationship between livestock and their parasites is now much better understood. The pattern of infection and reinfection is a dynamic, but predictable, phenomenon that varies with geographic region, production system and grazing system used. Preventive programs that use anthelmintics offer the most efficient approach for grazing animals and confined species. Control strategies have been designed to prevent worm egg production and to limit parasite contamination and infection at critical periods in animal growth cycles.
Research in the last 20 years has firmly established that it is possible to exploit genetic variation in resistance to the nematode parasites of sheep by selection. Selected sheep are more resistant to infection and commercial application of this research is under way in both Australia and in New Zealand. Not all the consequences of these breeding programs have been established, particularly long-term consequences for productivity and the interaction with other control measures, but the technology is available in the public domain with no commercial restrictions. Faecal worm egg count remains the most effective way of selecting sheep although many alternatives, such as DNA markers, host antibody and parasite antigen assays are being developed for use as selection criteria. Strategic nutritional supplementation is an immediate candidate for inclusion in worm control programs and although nematode vaccines remain elusive, it is likely that some will be field-tested in the next few years. For both of these approaches, nutritional and immunological, it is critical that the response of selected genotypes are assessed under commercial conditions and as components of worm control programs. There is evidence to support the possibility that selected sheep will be more responsive to vaccination while the long-term interaction between the effect of strategic nutritional supplements and resistant genotypes needs to be investigated.
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Most animal species are infected with multiple parasite species; however, the role of interspecific parasite interactions in influencing parasite dynamics and shaping parasite communities has been unclear. Although laboratory studies have found evidence of cross-immunity, immunosuppression and competition, analyses of hosts in the field have generally concluded that parasite communities are little more than random assemblages. Here we present evidence of consistent interspecific interactions in a natural mammalian system, revealed through the analysis of parasite intensity data collected from a free-ranging rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) population, sampled monthly for a period of 23 yr. The wild rabbit plays host to a diverse gut helminth community that reflects the communities seen in other economically important domestic herbivores. These findings suggest that parasite interactions could have profound implications for the dynamics of parasite communities. The efficacy of parasite control programmes could be jeopardized if such interactions are not taken into account. In contrast, a clear understanding of such interactions may provide the basis for the development of more environmentally acceptable methods of parasite control.
Live Babesia divergens derived from gerbils were used to vaccinate cattle that had previously been treated with imidocarb dipropionate. Drug doses ranged from 1 to 2 mg/kg and animals were infected subcutaneously three to seven days later. After a further 35 days, vaccinated and control animals were given a heavy heterologous intravenous challenge. This regimen was effective for both avirulent and virulent strains in 12- to 18-month-old cattle. However, at low drug doses some animals reacted to the virulent vaccine strain and at high doses animals infected with the avirulent strain failed to seroconvert although they were still resistant to challenge. The variable infectivity of vaccine strains was a minor problem which can be overcome by strain selection and optimisation of infectivity using gerbils as experimental animals. Gerbils would also be useful as a source of parasites for the further development of in vitro cultures which could ultimately produce the vaccine.
The efficacy of a morantel sustained release bolus was evaluated during the 1980 summer grazing season in 216 yearling, second-season cattle in nine trials in West Germany. In five trials individual farms were used, in which medicated and control groups could be grazed on adjacent pastures. In four additional trials medicated and control groups were maintained on separate farms where the sites and management practice were matched as far as possible. Faecal worm egg counts, herbage larval counts and weight gain were monitored at regular intervals throughout the season. The faecal output of gastrointestinal nematode eggs was reduced by 55.8 percent in the medicated animals during the period from May to early August, while worm egg counts were equal to that of the control animals during the later part of the season. Herbage larval counts were similar on pastures grazed by medicated and nonmedicated cattle. In the five trials where individual farms were used the average daily weight gains over the entire grazing period were 900 (+/- 222) g/animal/day in the medicated group compared with 826 (+/- 263) g/animal in the nonmedicated cattle, a non-significant advantage. No advantage for the treated over the control groups was detected in the additional 4 trials but this was attributed largely to the difficulty in obtaining comparable groups of animals in comparable grazing conditions in "matching" farms, leading to inter-farm variation.
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Comparison was made of the performances of cross-bred ewes and their lambs on pastures of low helminth infectivity ("safe" pastures) or contaminated pastures and at high or low stocking rates. Ewes grazing the safe, but not the contaminated, pastures were given a single pre-lambing drench. The largest difference in parasite infection between treatments was the level of exposure of sheep to Trichostrongylus spp, which was negligible on the safe pastures. The effects of parasite control on lamb growth were significant only in twins during the last 2 months before weaning. However, 22% of lambs on contaminated plots became soiled in the breech area and 38% were flystruck, compared with 8% and 10% respectively for lambs on the safe pastures. Ewe bodyweight gains were greater at low than at high stocking rate and were not affected by the parasite control treatments; differences in breech soiling and fly strike were similar to those in the lambs. Most importantly the parasite treatment produced a highly significant effect on ewe fleece weight at weaning. Ewes drenched and lambing on the safe pastures produced an extra 0.43 kg of wool, calculated to represent an increase of at least 40% during this period at the low-level of parasitic infection.