Articles
Volume 4 (2011) - October 2011
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Research
Givemore Munhenga, Basil D Brooke, Tobias F Chirwa, Richard H Hunt, Maureen Coetzee, Danny Govender, Lizette L Koekemoer Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:208 (31 October 2011) We provided evidence that the physiological and reproductive fitness and mating compatibility of an Anopheles arabiensis laboratory strain is compatible with a wild population from the same geographical area. Image: Male Anopheles arabiensis adult.
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Research
The effect of octopaminergic compounds on the behaviour and transmission of Adam J Brooker, Mayra I Grano Maldonado, Stephen Irving, James E Bron, Matthew Longshaw, Andrew P Shinn Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:207 (27 October 2011) Exposure of Gyrodactylus to octopaminergic compounds resulted in motor inhibition and efficacy at low concentrations. In addition, quantitative analysis of Gyrodactylus off-host activity revealed behaviour patterns associated with light regime, suggesting light-detecting ability in gyrodactylids. Image: Experimental setup for Gyrodactylus movement tracking.
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Research
Anne-Kathrin Hauswald, Justin V Remais, Ning Xiao, George M Davis, Ding Lu, Margaret J Bale, Thomas Wilke Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:206 (26 October 2011) This study focuses on the intermediate schistosomiasis snail host Oncomelania h. robertsoni in Sichuan Province, China. Based on DNA data, we addressed the phylogeography of two distinct snail phylogroups, the regional and local population structure in space and time, and patterns of local dispersal under different isolation-by-distance scenarios. Image: Phylogeographical network of Oncomelania h. robertsoni
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Review
Onchocerciasis in the Americas: from arrival to (near) elimination Ken Gustavsen, Adrian Hopkins, Mauricio Sauerbrey Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:205 (25 October 2011) Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is a public health threat for millions worldwide. This article charts the course of onchocerciasis in the Western Hemisphere and discusses the prospects for elimination of the disease. Image: Using a dose pole to determine the correct dosage for onchocerciasis treatment.
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Short report
Rui Chen, QunBo Tong, Yi Zhang, Di Lou, QingMing Kong, Shan Lv, MingMing Zhuo, LiYong Wen, ShaoHong Lu Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:204 (25 October 2011) Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a zoonotic parasite that causes eosinophilic meningitis in humans. The intermediate host Pomacea canaliculata plays an important role in the endemicity of Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis. This report describes a novel Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the sensitive and specific detection of A. cantonensis in P. canaliculata. Image: Pomacea canaliculata, the intermediate host for Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
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Primer
Insights into the functional biology of schistosomes Anthony Walker Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:203 (20 October 2011) By providing a snapshot of selected areas of contemporary schistosome research, this Primer aims to highlight some of the recent advances made in the understanding of schistosome functional biology. Image: Adult Schistosoma mansoni in copula.
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Research
Ashley Peery, Maria V Sharakhova, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio, Cyrille Ndo, Mylene Weill, Frederic Simard, Igor V Sharakhov Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:202 (19 October 2011) We developed a chromosome map of microsatellite markers for Anopheles nili, a major malaria vector in the humid savannas and forested areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This map allows genome-wide inferences about the population structure of An. nili.
Image: Mapping of a microsatellite on An. nili chromosomes.
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Research
Rong Liu, Hui-Fen Dong, Yi Guo, Qin-Ping Zhao, Ming-Sen Jiang Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:201 (17 October 2011) We reviewed a large group of studies on the efficacy of PZQ and ARTs for human schistosomiasis treatment and prevention, and conducted meta-analyses in categories to comprehensively assess their antischistosomal efficacy, including one drug monotherapy and two drugs combination therapy. Image: The schistosomiasis endemic area and the main animal definitive host, buffalos.
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Research
M Dolores Bargues, L Carolina González, Patricio Artigas, Santiago Mas-Coma Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:200 (14 October 2011) DNA sequencing of rDNA ITS-2 and ITS-1 and mtDNA cox1 shows a rich lymnaeid fauna in Venezuela, including Lymnaea meridensis, L. neotropica, L. cubensis, Pseudosuccinea columella, Galba truncatula and L. schirazensis. Their phylogenetic relationships, distribution and involvement in fascioliasis transmission are analysed. Image: Phylogenetic analysis of fascioliasis lymnaeid vectors in Venezuela.
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Research
Federica Berrilli, Cristina Prisco, Klaus G Friedrich, Pilar Di Cerbo, David Di Cave, Claudio De Liberato Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:199 (12 October 2011) A study was carried out aimed at the molecular identification of Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba spp. in non-human primates housed in the zoological gardens of Rome, to better ascertain their presence and zoonotic potential. Image: Ring-tailed lemurs in the zoological gardens of Rome.
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Short report
Molecular evidence of Sze-Fui Hii, Steven R Kopp, Mary F Thompson, Caroline A O'Leary, Robert L Rees, Rebecca J Traub Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:198 (11 October 2011) We report detection of Rickettsia felis in indigenous community dogs in the Northern Territory, Australia for the first time. In this study, a R. felis-specific nested PCR was designed to detect pathogen DNA from blood samples. Outcomes from this work further support the potential role of dogs as reservoir hosts for R. felis. Image: Morris and his companion animals in a remote Aboriginal community in Northern Australia.
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Review
One Health: The global challenge of epidemic and endemic leishmaniasis Clarisa B Palatnik-de-Sousa, Michael J Day Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:197 (10 October 2011) Visceral leishmaniasis is an increasing human and canine health problem worldwide. This article reviews its global surveillance and how control might decrease the suffering of canine and human patients as expected by the One Health approach. Image: An infected dog from a Brazilian rural endemic area.
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Short report
Donald P McManus, Zhengzhi Li, Shukun Yang, Darren J Gray, Yu Yang Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:196 (9 October 2011) Magnetic resonance imaging showing a sagittal T1 brain image with AE lesions in the temporal and occipital lobes (left panel) and an axial T1 brain image with AE lesions in the frontal and temporal lobes (right panel).
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Research
Barbara Matthys, Mohion Bobieva, Gulzira Karimova, Zulfira Mengliboeva, Vreni Jean-Richard, Malika Hoimnazarova, Matluba Kurbonova, Laurent K Lohourignon, Jürg Utzinger, Kaspar Wyss Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:195 (7 October 2011) We assessed the extent of helminth and intestinal protozoan infections among 7- to 11-year-old schoolchildren in western Tajikistan using a cross-sectional survey design. The findings call for school-based deworming combined with hygiene promotion and improved sanitation in ecological ?lowland? areas, and for further investigations to determine if Hymenolepis nana represents a public health problem. Image: Girl washing cooking utensils at an agricultural irrigation canal in a village in western Tajikistan (March 2009).
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Review
Yi-biao Zhou, Hui-min Zheng, Qing-wu Jiang Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:194 (7 October 2011) This paper reviews the current knowledge about diagnostic tools for Schistosoma japonicum infections in China, and the pressing need for improved diagnostics of schistosomiasis japonica. Image: Blood collection for diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica in Anhui province, China.
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Research
Francis Gakuya, Luca Rossi, Jackson Ombui, Ndichu Maingi, Gerald Muchemi, William Ogara, Ramón C Soriguer, Samer Alasaad Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:193 (6 October 2011) A Sarcoptes mite molecular study, based on microsatellite markers, revealed parasitic infestation in prey-to-predator manner from the Masai Mara ecosystem in Kenya, depending on the predator's 'favourite prey'. The lions were potentially infested from the wildebeests, while the cheetahs were infested from both wildebeests and gazelles. Image: Cheetah with wildebeeste prey.
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Review
Towards an integrated approach in surveillance of vector-borne diseases in Europe Marieta Braks, Joke van der Giessen, Mirjam Kretzschmar, Wifrid van Pelt, Ernst-Jan Scholte, Chantal Reusken, Hervé Zeller, Wim van Bortel, Hein Sprong Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:192 (3 October 2011) VBORNET is a network of medical entomologists and public health experts, and supports ECDC activities in the area of arthropod vector surveillance to improve preparedness towards vector-borne diseases. In the current paper, important parameters and terms of both public health and medical entomology are defined in order to establish a common language that facilitates collaboration between the two disciplines. Image: Logo of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
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