• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.603-606
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• 2013

To determine geographical patterns of natural parasite infections among wild rodents, a total of 46 wild rodents from 3 different localities in northern Gangwon-do (Province), Korea were examined for intestinal parasite infections. Along with nematodes such as hookworms and Syphacia spp., Plagiorchis muris (2 specimens) (Trematoda) were collected from striped field mice, Apodemus agrarius. In a Korean wood mouse, Apodemus peninsulae, the overall nematode infections were similar to A. agrarius, but an adult worm of Echinostoma hortense (Trematoda) was collected. In addition, 2 species of cestodes, i.e., Hymenolepis nana and Hymenolepis diminuta, were collected from A. agrarius. Through this survey, A. agrarius and A. peninsule were confirmed as the natural definite hosts for zoonotic intestinal helminths, i.e., P. muris, E. hortense, H. nana, and H. diminuta, in northern Gangwon-do, Korea. Considering increased leisure activities around these areas, seasonal and further comprehensive surveys on wild rodents seem to be needed to prevent zoonotic parasite infections.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.629-632
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• 2013

Members of the genus Trichinella are small nematodes that can infect a wide range of animal hosts. However, their infectivity varies depending on the parasite and host species combination. In this study, we examined the susceptibility of 4 species of laboratory rodents, i.e., mice, rats, hamsters, and gerbils to Trichinella papuae, an emerging non-encapsulated Trichinella species. Trichinella spiralis and Trichinella pseudospiralis were also included in this study for comparison. Fifteen animals of each rodent species were infected orally with 100 muscle larvae of each Trichinella species. Intestinal worm burden was determined at day 6 and 10 post-inoculation (PI). The numbers of muscle larvae were examined at day 45 PI. The reproductive capacity index (RCI) of the 3 Trichinella species in different rodent hosts was determined. By day 6 PI, 33.2-69.6% of the inoculated larvae of the 3 Trichinella species became adult worms in the small intestines of the host animals. However, in rats, more than 96% of adult worms of all 3 Trichinella species were expelled from the gut by day 10 PI. In gerbils, only 4.8-18.1% of adult worms were expelled by day 10 PI. In accordance with the intestinal worm burden and the persistence of adults, the RCI was the highest in gerbils with values of $241.5{\pm}41.0$ for T. papuae, $432.6{\pm}48$ for T. pseudospiralis, and $528.6{\pm}20.6$ for T. spiralis. Hamsters ranked second and mice ranked third in susceptibility in terms of the RCI, Rats yielded the lowest parasite RCI for all 3 Trichinella species. Gerbils may be an alternative laboratory animal for isolation and maintenance of Trichinella spp.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.339-342
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• 2010

Phongsaly Province, located in the northernmost area of Lao PDR, was previously suggested to be endemic for the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini infection. To confirm, or rule out, this suggestion, the Phonxay village in the Khoua District, Phongsaly Province, was selected for a survey. Ten volunteers (8 men and 2 women aged 31-57 years) who consumed raw freshwater fish and had gastrointestinal troubles were treated with a single dose of praziquantel (40 mg/kg) and pyrantel pamoate (10 mglkg) and purged with magnesium sulfate to recover any worm parasites. Eight of the 10 volunteers expelled 1 or more species of trematodes, nematodes, or cestodes (worm positive rate; 80%). The worms were morphologically identified as H. taichui (861 worms from 8 people), H. yokogawai (59 from 6 people), Phaneropsolus bonnei (1 from 1 person), Trichostrongylus sp. (2 from 2 people), Ascaris lumbricoides (2 from 1 person), Enterobius vermicularis (11 from 3 people), and Taenia saginata (1 strobila with scolex from 1 person). The results indicate that the mountainous area of Phongsaly Province, Lao PDR, is not endemic for the liver fluke but endemic for intestinal flukes, in particular, Haplorchis taichuiand H. yokogawai.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.439-445
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• 2015

A survey of intestinal helminths was undertaken in riparian people in Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR. Fecal specimens were collected from 643 people (289 males and 354 females) residing in 4 districts (Nonghet, Kham, Phoukout, and Pek) and were examined by the Kato-Katz technique. The overall helminth egg positive rate was 41.2%, and hookworms revealed the highest prevalence (32.7%) followed by Trichuris trichiura (7.3%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%). The positive rate for small trematode eggs (STE), which may include Opisthorchis viverrini, heterophyids, and lecithodendriids, was 4.4%. For recovery of adult helminths, 12 STE or nematode/cestode egg-positive people were treated with 40 mg/kg praziquantel and 15 mg/kg pyrantel pamoate, and then purged. Mixed infections with 2 Haplorchis species (H. pumilio and H. taichui), Centrocestus formosanus, Opisthorchis viverrini, a species of cestode (Taenia saginata), and several species of nematodes including hookworms and Enterobius vermicularis were detected. The worm load for trematodes was the highest for H. pumilio with an average of 283.5 specimens per infected person followed by C. formosanus, H. taichui, and O. viverrini. The worm load for nematodes was the highest for hookworms (21.5/infected case) followed by E. vermicularis (3.2/infected case). The results revealed that the surveyed areas of Xieng Khouang Province, Lao PDR are endemic areas of various species of intestinal helminths. The STE found in the surveyed population were verified to be those of heterophyids, particularly H. pumilio.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2005

Mast cells and goblet cells have been known to protect the host against parasites. In this study, we examined the response of the mast cells and goblet cells over a period of 6 weeks in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice infected with Echinostoma hortense (E. hortense). In addition, we investigated whether the worm recovery rate of uninfected mice (the control group) or E. hortense-infected mice (the experimental group) was associated with the number of mast cells and goblet cells. The worm recovery rate was higher in the C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice. The number of goblet cells significantly increased in the experimental group of the C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice compared with the control group of both strains (P<0.005). Worm recovery peaked 3 weeks after the infection of the C57BL/6 mice and at 2 weeks after the infection of the C3H/HeN mice, and it was higher in the duodenum than in the jejunum and ileum. However, the infected site in the intestine had no relation with worm expulsion. In the C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice, the number of goblet cells in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.005). The number reached a peak 2 weeks after the infection and it even increased in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The increased number of goblet cells was retained 6 weeks after infection. The number of goblet cells was higher in the C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice (P<0.01). These results indicate that goblet cells are related with the worm expulsion. Furthermore, immunohistostaining of the antral intestinal walls for lectin showed the significant increase of the number of goblet cells in the experimental group (P<0.001). The high infection rate in the duodenum was found during the early infection. An increased infection rate in the jejunum and ileum was found 3 weeks after infection and the infection rate was higher in the C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice. Taken together, the present study indicates that goblet cells, rather than mast cells, may play critical roles in parasite expulsion.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.483-494
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• 1996

The present study was undertaken to identify the species of nematodes and determine infection state of small intestinal nematodes from dogs in Taegu area. One hundred and eleven healthy dogs which were 8 months old or more were examined by means of autopsy from September to November, 1993. All of the worms in small intestine were collected and preserved in 10% formalin solution. The worms were cleared in the lactophenol solution and examined by stereomicroscope and lightmicroscope. The result obtained were summarized as follows : Fifty three dogs(47.7%) out of the 111 experimental dogs were infected with small intestinal nematodes. Hookworm infection was recognized in 30(27.7%) dogs. All of the hookworms were identified morphologically as Ancylostoma caninum which had 3 pairs of ventral teeth, a pair of triangular dorsal teeth and a pair of centrolateral teeth. No Uncinaria stenocephala infection was detectable. Roundworm infection was recognized in 37(33.3%) dogs. Twenty one(18.9%) dogs were infected with Toxascaris leonina which had characteristic dorsal lips, paired spicules and a simple tail without process. The individual worm burden of the infected dogs ranged from one to 361 with mean of 25.5%. Among them 0~358(mean $17.8{\pm}30.66$) were Ancylostoma caninum, 0~18(mean $1.6{\pm}3.44$) were Toxocara canis and 0~60(mean $6.0{\pm}12.05$) were Toxascaris leonina. Single infection with Ancylostoma caninum, Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina were observed in 16(14.4%) dogs, in 9(8.1%) dogs, and in 11(9.9%) dogs respectively. Double infection with Ancylostoma caninum plus Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis plus Toxascaris leonina occurred in 5(0.5%) and in 3(2.7%) dogs respectively. Triple infection with Ancylostoma caninum plus Toxocara canis plus Toxascaris leonina occurred in 7(6.3%) dogs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.365-376
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• 1995

Antigenic localization in Parofonimn iloktsuenensis worm tissues (tegument, intestine and vitelline gland) in different developmental stages of 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks and 33 weeks from albino rats (Sprague-Dawley) infected with P iloktsuenensis was observed by electron microscopy. These worm tissues of different developmental stage of R iloktsuenensis was observed on electromicrograph by immunogold labeling method using R iLoktsuenensis infected rat serum of 10 weeks. Antigenic localization was demonstrated as labeling of gold particles in tissues on electronmicrograph. In tegument, gold particles were labeled on tegumental tissue, generally more numerous on secretory granules in tegumental syncytium 2 weeks than those on the other elder developmental stages, but there was a little variation in antigenicity according to individual worm tissue. In general, antigenicity in tegumental tissue was not strong (gold particles: 0.1-5/1 Mm2). In intestine, a large number of gold particles (15-18/1 Mm2) were labeled in intestinal epithelium. Gold particles were concentrated especially on secretory granules in cytoplasm, and gold particles were labeled not only in cytoplasmic protrusions, but also in intestinal luminal contents. Intencity of labeling of gold particles was not correlated with developmental stage of worms. In vitelline gland, a large number of gold particles were labeled on vitelline globules. The gold particles in vitelline globules (8- 11/1 Mm2) were concentrated in protoplasm among segmental globules . Key words: Pnragonimus iloktsuenensis, immunogold labeling method, tissue antigen ultrastructure.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 1992

Tissue origin of individual component proteins in crude extract of adult Paragonimus westermani was investigated. Major soluble component proteins were separated by disc-PAGE in 8% slab gel. By predefined Rf values, strips of gel containing each band protein was cut out. Each band protein was eluted by electrophoresis. Monospecific antibodies were prepared by immunizing rabbits with each band protein. When peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining was done, antiserum to Band 1 reacted to content of eggs both in the worm and in the infected lung tissue. Antiserum to Band 2 reacted to parenchymal tissue of the worm. Antiserum to Band 4 showed the positive reaction at intestinal content while that to Band 5 reacted to the intestinal epithelial border. Antiserum to combined proteins of Bands 617 and that to Band 8 reacted to parenchymal tissue of the worm respectively. From the results, the origin of individual proteins in crude extract of adult P. westermani could be differentiated.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 1993

Intestinal mucosal mast cell (MMC) responses were studied in rats experimentally infected with Metngonimur yokogawai (Dlgenea: Heterophyidael. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were fed each 2,500 metacercariae isolated from the sweetish and sacrificed on the week 1, 2, 3 and 4 post-Infection (PI). Recovery of worms was performed from the small intestine of each rat. To visualize the MMCs, duodenal and jejunal (upper, middle and lowers) tissue sections were made and stained with alcian blue/safranine-0. The average worm recovery rates were 16.2% and 13.8% on the week 1 and week 2, respectively, but they decreased rapidly to 4.1% and 4.2% on the week 3 and week 4 PI, respectively, which indicate spontaneous worm expulsion after the week 2. The MMC number In the Infected rats was, compared with uninfected controls, significantly Increased In the whole small intestine, through the whole period of observation. The peak level of mastocytosis was observed on the week 3 PI. It is strongly suggested that MMCs might be involved In the expulsion process of flukes from the rat intestine.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 1998

Mucosal mast cell (MMC) and goblet cell (GC) responses were observed in the small intestine of two strains of mice (BALBfc and C3H) infected with Weodiplostomum seouLehTe, and their roles in the host defense and worm expulsion were studied. From day 3 to 28 post-infection (Pl) with 200 metacercariae, the worm recovery rate from BALB/c mice was consistently and remarkably higher than that from C3H mice. In the duodenum of both strains of mice, the main habitat of the flukes, mastocytosis was pronounced on day 7 Pl but quickly diminished thereafter. Similar kinetics were observed in the jejunum and ileum, although the extent of mastocytosis was lesser in the ileum than other two areas. These MMC kinetics were not different between the ko strains of mice. Moreover, the extent of mastocytosis was stronger in BALB/C mice than in C3H mice. GC hyperplasia was remarkable in the duodenum of BALBlc mice throughout the course of infection except day 14 Pl, whereas it was recognizable only in the jejunum and ileum of C3H mice on day 7 Pl. Mucin activation was evidently demonstrated in both strains of mice throughout the course of infection, but more marked in BALB/c than in C3H mice. The results strongly suggest that mastocytosis and GC hyperplasia are local immune responses against N. seoulense, however, they play a minor role in the host defense and worm expulsion.