• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 1996

We observed the morphological characteristics and identified the species of gnathostome larvae obtained from the imported Chinese loaches. The early third-stage larvae ($EL_3$) were collected from viscera of the loaches and a part of them were infected to mice. The advanced third-stage larvae ($AdL_3$) were recovered from the mice at 4 weeks post-infection. both larval worms were fixed loth 10% formalin, cleared in alcohol-glycerin solution, mounted with glycerin-jelly, and observed. A total of 369 $EL_3$ were collected from viscera of 9,493 Chinese loaches. The whole body of $EL_3$ was covered with about 190 transverse rows of minute cuticular spines and $0.624{\;}{\times}{\;}0.101{\;}mm$ in average size. A pair of lips were protruded at the anterior end, and the muscular esophagus and brownish intestine were followed. The characteristic head bulb was provided with 4 rows of hooklets. The average number of hooklets in the respective row was 36.7, 39.5, 41.6 and 44.3 posteriorly $AdL_3$ was $2.660{\;}{\times}{\;}0.346{\;}mm$ in average size, and retained the esophagus (about 0.755 mm length) and cervical sac (about 0.355 mm length). The average number of hooklets in the respective row on the head bulb was 39.0, 41.9, 43.9 and 45.6, posteriorly. On the basis of the morphological characteristics, they were identified as the third-stage larvae of Gnathostomc hispinun.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 1998

The present study was performed to observe the infection status of several kind of animals with indigenous Gnnthostomn in Korea, and morphological characteristics of gnathostome larvae detected from pit-viper, Askistronon breuiccudus, for the species bullfrogs. several kinds of snakes, j.e., 55 Elnphe rufodorsata, 2 Dinodon rufozonatum rufzonatum. 62 Rhnbdophis tisrinus tigrinus and 87 Askistronon app., and 438 cats were examined. A total of 21 larval gnathostomes was detected from 12 pit-vipers, A. breuicnudus. They were 2.233 x 0.343 mm in average size and covered with about 210 transverse rows of minute cuticular spines. Their characteristic head bulbs were provided with 4 rows of hooklets of which average numbers in each row were 36.8, 39.0, 41.7 and 44.3. posteriorly. In the cross sections of midgut level, the intestinal wall consisted of a single layer of 19-25 elongate epithelial cells with a single nucleus. SEM observation of the larvae revealed unique features of head bulb , cuticular spines on transverse striations and a cervical papilla. On the basis of above morphological characteristics, they were identified as the advanced third-stage larvae of Gnothostomo hispinum. It was first confirmed that the pit-viper. ABkistronon breuicaunus is the snake intermediate host of G. hispidun.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 1996

A scanning electron microscopic study was performed to observe the surface ultrastructures of the third-stage larvae of Gnathostoma hispidun. The early third-stage larvae (EL3) were collected from the viscera of Chinese loaches by the artificial digestion method . The advanced third-stage larvae (AdL3) were recovered from mice experimentally infected with EL3. Both larval worms were fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, dehydrated in graded alcohol. dryad in critical point dryer, and coated with gold. The specimens were observed with a SEM (DS- l30C). On the head bulb of both larval stage, the mouth had a pair of lateral lips of equal size and of half moon shape. Each lip had a couple of labial papillae and a small amphid located between the two papillae. The hooklets on the head bulb had single-pointed tips and curved posteriorly. The cuticular spines of EL3 were larger and more densely distributed in the anterior area (about 1.8 Mm in length) and gradually decreased in size and number posteriorly. The cuticular spines in the anterior area of AdL3 were sharp-pointed and about 4.5 Mm in length, and those in the middle area were about 1.75 Mm. The velvety cuticular folds and dot-like cuticular spines were distributed in the posterior area. A cervical papilla was located between the 7th and 8th transverse striations. A dome-like body papilla was located at the posterior 1/4 of body. An ellipsoidal excretory pore was located between the 17th and 18th striations. From the above results, it is suggested that the characteristic SEM findings obtained from this study may be helpful on the species identification of larval Gncthostomn.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.285-288
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• 2008

To examine the infection status of freshwater fish with Gnathostoma spp. larvae in Myanmar, we purchased 15 snakeheads, Channa striatus, from a local market in a suburban area of Naypyidaw, the new capital city. Two larval gnathostomes were collected using an artificial digestion technique, and observed by a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The size of an intact larva was 2.65 mm long and 0.32 mm wide. The characteristic morphology of the larvae included the presence of a long esophagus (0.80 mm long), 2 pairs of cervical sacs (0.43 mm long), and a characteristic head bulb with 4 rows of hooklets. The number of hooklets in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th row was 45, 48, 50, and 52, respectively. Based on these morphological characters, the larvae were identified as the advanced 3rd-stage larvae of Gnathostoma spinigerum. This is the first report of detection of G. spinigerum 3rd-stage larvae in the central part of Myanmar. Our study suggests that intake of raw meat of snakehead fish in Myanmar may result in human gnathostomiasis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2012

From July 2008 to June 2009, livers of the swamp eels (Monopterus alba) were investigated for advanced third-stage larvae (AL3) of Gnathostoma spinigerum. Results revealed that 10.2% (106/1,037) and 20.4% (78/383) of farmed eels from Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province and those of wild-caught eels obtained from a market in Min Buri District of Bangkok, Thailand were infected, respectively. The prevalence was high during the rainy and winter seasons. The infection rate abruptly decreased in the beginning of summer. The highest infection rate (13.7%) was observed in September and absence of infection (0%) in March-April in the farmed eels. Whereas, in the wild-caught eels, the highest rate (30.7%) was observed in November, and the rate decreased to the lowest at 6.3% in March. The average no. (mean${\pm}$SE) of AL3 per investigated liver in farmed eels ($1.1{\pm}0.2$) was significantly lower (P=0.040) than those in the caught eels ($0.2{\pm}0.03$). In addition, the intensity of AL3 recovered from each infected liver varied from 1 to 18 ($2.3{\pm}0.3$) in the farmed eels and from 1 to 47 ($6.3{\pm}1.2$) in the caught eels, respectively. The AL3 intensity showed significant difference (P=0.011) between these 2 different sources of eels. This is the first observation that farmed eels showed positive findings of G. spinigerum infective larvae. This may affect the standard farming of the culture farm and also present a risk of consuming undercooked eels from the wild-caught and farmed eels.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.6
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• pp.695-699
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• 2020

Present study was performed to know the infection status of Gnathostoma sp. larvae in swamp eels from Cambodia. We purchased total 30 Asian swamp eels, Monopterus albus, from local markets in Pursat and Takeo Provinces and Phnom Penh on May and November 2017 and May 2018. All collected eels were transferred to our laboratory with ice and each of them was examined by artificial digestion method. A total of 15 larval gnathostomes (1-5 larvae) were detected from 55.6% (5/9) swamp eels in Pursat Province. No larval gnathostomes were found in 21 swamp eels in Takeo Province and Phnom Penh. The advanced third-stage larvae (AdL3) detected were 2.575-3.825 (3.250) mm in length and 0.375-0.425 (0.386) mm in width. They had the characteristic head bulb (av. 0.104×0.218 mm) with 4 rows of hooklets, long muscular esophagus (1.048 mm), and 2 pairs of cervical sacs (0.615 mm). The number of hooklets in 4 rows on the head bulb was 41, 44, 47, and 50. In scanning electron microscopy, characteristic features were 4 rows of hooklets on the head bulb, cervical papillae, tegumental spines regularly arranged in transverse striations, and anus. The larval gnathostomes were identified as AdL3 of Gnathostoma spinigerum based on the morphological characters. By the present study, it has been confirmed that G. spinigerum larvae are infected in Asian swamp eels, M. albus, in Pursat Province, Cambodia.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.619-625
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• 2015

The present study was performed to determine the infection status of swamp eels with Gnathostoma sp. larvae in Myanmar. We purchased total 37 Asian swamp eels, Monopterus albus, from a local market in Yangon in June and December 2013 and 2014. All collected eels were transferred with ice to our laboratory and each of them was examined by the artificial digestion technique. A total of 401 larval gnathostomes (1-96 larvae/eel) were detected in 33 (89.2%) swamp eels. Most of the larvae (n=383; 95.5%) were found in the muscle. The remaining 18 larvae were detected in the viscera. The advanced third-stage larvae ($AdL_3$) were 2.3-4.4 mm long and 0.25-0.425 mm wide. The characteristic head bulb ($0.093{\times}0.221mm$ in average size) with 4 rows of hooklets, muscular long esophagus (1.025 mm), and 2 pairs of cervical sacs (0.574 mm) were observed by light microscopy. The average number of hooklets in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rows was 41, 45, 48, and 51, respectively. As scanning electron microscopic findings, the characteristic 4-5 rows of hooklets on the head bulb, a cervical papilla, tegumental spines regularly arranged in the transverse striations, and an anus were well observed. Based on these morphological characters, they were identified as the AdL3 of Gnathostoma spinigerum. By the present study, it has been confirmed for the first time that Asian swamp eels, M. albus, from Yangon, Myanmar are heavily infected with G. spinigerum larvae.