Articles
Volume 4 (2011) - September 2011
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Research
Anna M Schotthoefer, Scott W Bearden, Jennifer L Holmes, Sara M Vetter, John A Montenieri, Shanna K Williams, Christine B Graham, Michael E Woods, Rebecca J Eisen, Kenneth L Gage Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:191 (29 September 2011) The ability of Xenopsylla cheopis to transmit infections of Yersinia pestis after being maintained for up to 28 days at high (27 and 30 C) or low (10 C) temperatures was examined in comparison to fleas maintained at 23 C, a temperature predicted to be most favorable for biofilm production by Y. pestis and subsequent blockage of the flea gut. Our results indicated that, although fleas maintained at 23 C were the best transmitters, high or low temperatures did not significantly impair the ability of fleas to transmit plague. Image: Adult male of Xenopsylla cheopis.
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Research
Identification and characterization of six novel tetraspanins from Yanyan Jiang, Xindong Xu, Xiaoxing Qing, Weiqing Pan Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:190 (29 September 2011) Six novel tetraspanins of S. japonicum including their sequences and recombinant proteins are described. Availability of these proteins as well as their expression profiles and location provided a basis for further investigation of their functions. Image:
Tetraspanins of S. japonicum.
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Research
Omar Hamarsheh, Ahmad Amro Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:189 (29 September 2011) This study described the first large scale analysis of Expressed Sequenced Tags (ESTs) derived from Phlebotomus papatasi sand fly. Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were characterized and their frequency is discussed. Image: EST-SSR from P. papatasi.
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Short report
Gioia Capelli, Andrea Drago, Simone Martini, Fabrizio Montarsi, Mauro Soppelsa, Nicola Delai, Silvia Ravagnan, Luca Mazzon, Francis Schaffner, Alexander Mathis, Marco Di Luca, Roberto Romi, Francesca Russo Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:188 (28 September 2011) We report the presence of the exotic mosquito Aedes koreicus for the first time in Italy. With the exception of a previous discovery in Belgium, there are no other findings of this mosquito
outside its native range in Southeast Asia. Ae. koreicus is a potential vector of arbovirusis and filariae, thus the establishment of this species may pose new potential threats, for human and animal health. Image: Aedes koreicus.
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Review
Implication of haematophagous arthropod salivary proteins in host-vector interactions Albin Fontaine, Ibrahima Diouf, Nawal Bakkali, Dorothée Missé, Frédéric Pagès, Thierry Fusai, Christophe Rogier, Lionel Almeras Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:187 (28 September 2011) This review summarises the pharmacological activity and immunogenic properties of salivary proteins characterised in various haematophagous arthropod species and the usefulness of immunogenic salivary molecules to treat allergic reactions to arthropod bites, to improve host protection against vector-borne diseases or to assess host/vector contacts. Image : The role of haematophagous arthropod saliva in counteracting host haemostatic and immune defences.
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Review
ShuMin Sun, XueLin Wang, XiuPing Wu, Ying Zhao, Feng Wang, XiaoLei Liu, YanXia Song, ZhiLiang Wu, MingYuan Liu Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:186 (27 September 2011) Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that reducing helminth infections increases the incidence rate of autoimmune diseases. Helminths or helminth products should be considered for the treatment of human inflammatory bowel disease. Image: Contribution of toll like receptors to mucous membrane immunity.
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Research
Pilar Foronda, Mercedes López-González, Mariano Hernández, Voitto Haukisalmi, Carlos Feliu Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:185 (26 September 2011) Hymenolepis diminuta, Rodentolepis microstoma and Rodentolepis fraterna were identified for first time in rodents from the Canary Islands. The genetic variation found between islands is discussed.
Image: Network of the haplotypes found for Hymenolepis diminuta from Canaries
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Research
The role of cow urine in the oviposition site preference of culicine and Eliningaya J Kweka, Eunice A Owino, Beda J Mwang'onde, Aneth M Mahande, Mramba Nyindo, Franklin Mosha Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:184 (26 September 2011) This study reported the initial findings of the efficacy of fresh and ageing cow urine on An. gambiae s.l and culicine oviposition site selection. Image: A zebu cow used for urine collection during experiments.
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Research
Identification of mosquito repellent odours from Teun Dekker, Rickard Ignell, Maedot Ghebru, Robert Glinwood, Richard Hopkins Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:183 (22 September 2011) Traditionally, the Ocimum genus is widely used across Africa in protection against mosquito bites. We identified through GC-EAD, GC-MS and landing assays the repellent compounds from flowering Ocimum forskolei, used in Eritrea to repel mosquitoes. The active compounds included (R)-(-)-linalool, methyl salicylate, and methyl cinnamate, the latter two being newly described repellents. Image: Flowering O. forskolei. (photo M.Ghebru.)
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Research
Anna Ekner, Krzysztof Dudek, Zofia Sajkowska, Viktória Majláthová, Igor Majláth, Piotr Tryjanowski Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:182 (20 September 2011) In this paper we show the role of sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) in the transmission cycle of important tick-borne pathogens, Anaplasmataceae and Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. Moreover, we found a significant correlation between numbers of ticks infected with Anaplasmataceae and with B. burgdorferi s.l. living on the same lizard. Image: Ticks (Ixodes ricinus) feeding on a sand lizard.
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Research
Awareness, attitudes and prevention of malaria in the cities of Douala and Yaoundé (Cameroon) Cyrille Ndo, Benjamin Menze-Djantio, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:181 (20 September 2011) Malaria remains a major public health threat in Cameroon. This study reports on the knowledge, attitudes and management of malaria cases by households living in the cities of Douala and Yaounde (Cameroon). The study also highlights major obstacles to the use of bed-nets and adequate malaria treatment by communities. Image: Anopheline breeding sites in Douala, Cameroon.
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Research
Prevalence of Rui-Qing Lin, Jian-Dong Tang, Dong-Hui Zhou, Hui-Qun Song, Si-Yang Huang, Jia-Xu Chen, Mu-Xin Chen, Han Zhang, Xing-Quan Zhu, Xiao-Nong Zhou Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:180 (19 September 2011) 503 dogs and 194 cats in China's southern Guangdong province were examined for Clonorchis sinensis by post-mortem examination, and the average prevalence was 20.5% in dogs and 41.8% in cats, respectively, posing significant public health concern.
Image: Clonorchis sinensis prevalence in dogs, cats and humans in Guangdong province, China.
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Research
Chemometric analysis of biofluids from mice experimentally infected with Jia V Li, Jasmina Saric, Yulan Wang, Jennifer Keiser, Jürg Utzinger, Elaine Holmes Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:179 (19 September 2011) The study employed a metabolic profiling approach to investigate the dynamic and integrated response of mice to a Schistosoma mansoni infection during acute and chronic stages, as determined in urine, plasma and faecal extracts. Image: A PCA trajectory scores-plot of urinary spectra from uninfected control (black) and Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice (13-41 days post-infection, blue; 48-73 days post-infection, red)
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Research
Louise A Kelly-Hope, Brent C Thomas, Moses J Bockarie, David H Molyneux Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:178 (18 September 2011) This study reviews, synthesises and maps the distribution of W. bancrofti in the Democratic Republic of Congo, analysing factors that will impact on its elimination - loiasis, onchocerciasis, soil transmitted helminths and malaria co-endemicity. Image: Satellite image of Congo River tributaries where W. bancrofti has been reported.
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Review
Ecology of Hélène Hiwat, Gustavo Bretas Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:177 (16 September 2011) This paper provides information on the importance, ecology and behavior of An. darlingi, one of the most important malaria vectors in the Americas. Image: An. darlingi female
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Research
Zeinab A Demerdash, Tarek M Diab, Ibrahim R Aly, Salwa H Mohamed, Faten S Mahmoud, Mona K Zoheiry, Wafaa A Mansour, Mohy E Attia, Azza E El-Bassiouny Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:176 (15 September 2011) This study describes a simple and reliable monoclonal antibody-based sandwich ELISA for diagnosis of active Fasciola gigantica infection in both serum and stool samples.Image: Anterior region of mature Fasciola gigantica.
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Research
Sammy M Njenga, Charles S Mwandawiro, Erastus Muniu, Mariam T Mwanje, Fatma M Haji, Moses J Bockarie Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:175 (14 September 2011) This paper describes the status of helminthic infections and malaria in adults living in rural villages in south coast, Kenya and argues for their consideration in preventive chemotherapy intervention programmes. Image: Infection with schistosomiasis occurs following contact with infected waters
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Research
Michael W Dryden, Patricia A Payne, Vicki Smith, Joe Hostetler Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:174 (13 September 2011) This paper describes the results of two studies where the initial and residual speed of kill of an imidacloprid + moxidectin and a selamectin topical formulation were evaluated against the KS1 cat flea strain. Image: Cat with flea allergy dermatitis.
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Research
Li-min Shang, Wei-ping Peng, Hong-tao Jin, Ding Xu, Ni-na Zhong, Wen-long Wang, You-xi Wu, Quan Liu Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:173 (12 September 2011) The paper investigated the prevalence of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs from Wenchuan, Heishui and Jiuzhaigou County in Sichuan Province, southwestern China by real time PCR. A higher prevalence was found in older dogs and those showing external symptoms. Image: Infected dogs are major reservoirs for Leishmania infantum.
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Research
Jie Wang, Chuan-Xin Yu, Xu-Ren Yin, Wei Zhang, Chun-Yan Qian, Li-Jun Song, Xue-Dan Ke, Yong-Liang Xu, Wei He, Guo-Qun Cao Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:172 (10 September 2011) The early specific antibody responses to the hydrophilic domain of 23kDa membrane protein of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj23HD) can be used to monitor the schistosome infection in sentinel mice by immunoblotting. Image: Sentinel mice were used to monitor the infested water body of schistosome infection
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Research
Filiberto Reyes-Villanueva, Javier A Garza-Hernandez, Alberto M Garcia-Munguia, Patricia Tamez-Guerra, Annabel FV Howard, Mario A Rodriguez-Perez Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:171 (9 September 2011) M. anisopliae transmitted from fungus-contaminated male to female A. aegypti, infected and killed the insects - 50% in 7.5 days, and reduced fecundity up to 99% in the few survivors. Image: Female of A. aegypti sporulating M. anisopliae acquired after mating with a virgin, fungus-contaminated male.
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Book review
Review of " Geoff Hide Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:170 (9 September 2011) This is a reference book on parasites of medical and veterinary importance providing detailed information on over 600 parasites. It has three main sections, Protozoa, Metazoa and Micropredators as vectors for pathogens. Image: Book cover
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Research
Ana M Mejía-Jaramillo, Geysson J Fernández, Lina Palacio, Omar Triana-Chávez Parasites & Vectors 2011, 4:169 (5 September 2011) The differential gene expression of some genes in benznidazole sensitive and resistant parasites was investigated by real time PCR. We found the identification of differential expression (down-regulation) of nitroreductase (NTR) gene in benznidazole-resistant T. cruzi and we postulated this gene as the major marker of the appearance of resistance to BZ in this parasite. Image: Blood trypomastigote form of T. cruzi
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