We examined the mechanism of action and compared the anthelmintic efficacy of cysteine proteinases from papaya, pineapple, fig, kiwi fruit and Egyptian milkweed in vitro using the rodent gastrointestinal nematode Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Within a 2 h incubation period, all the cysteine proteinases, with the exception of the kiwi fruit extract, caused marked damage to the cuticle of H. polygyrus adult male and female worms, reflected in the loss of surface cuticular layers. Efficacy was comparable for both sexes of worms, was dependent on the presence of cysteine and was completely inhibited by the cysteine proteinase inhibitor, E-64. LD50 values indicated that the purified proteinases were more efficacious than the proteinases in the crude latex, with purified ficin, papain, chymopapain, Egyptian milkweed latex extract and pineapple fruit extract, containing fruit bromelain, having the most potent effect. The mechanism of action of these plant enzymes (i.e. an attack on the protective cuticle of the worm) suggests that resistance would be slow to develop in the field. The efficacy and mode of action make plant cysteine proteinases potential candidates for a novel class of anthelmintics urgently required for the treatment of humans and domestic livestock.

An automated suspension culture system for the cultivation of Plasmodium falciparum is described which retains a degree of flexibility which is absent in other automated culture apparatuses. Not only does this system of cultivation promote rapid multiplication of asexual parasites but also permits the development and maturation of gametocytes. Using a combination of gelatin flotation and N-acetyl glucosamine treatment synchronous development of gametocytes was achieved. The total time for gametocyte maturation in vitro under the conditions provided was 7 days. Stages II and V required 48 h for development whilst I, III and IV needed 24 h each. Mature microgametocytes were relatively long lived in comparison with macrogametocytes. Electron microscopic study of the synchronized stages confirmed the observations of Sinden (1982) but, in addition, we noted the presence of Garnham bodies, a cytostome in all stages and dense spherules in stages I–III similar to the fenestrated buttons in sporozoites and exoerythrocytic forms. The relationship between the number of osmiophilic bodies in the mature gametocytes and their ability to escape from the red cell is reaffirmed.

The characteristically aggregated frequency distribution of macroparasites in their hosts is a key feature of host–parasite population biology. We begin with a brief review of the theoretical literature concerning parasite aggregation. Though this work has illustrated much about both the sources and impact of parasite aggregation, there is still no definitive analysis of both these aspects. We then go on to illustrate the use of one approach to this problem – the construction of Moment Closure Equations (MCEs), which can be used to represent both the mean and second moments (variances and covariances) of the distribution of different parasite stages and phenomenological measures of host immunity. We apply these models to one of the best documented interactions involving free-living animal hosts – the interaction between trichostrongylid nematodes and ruminants. The analysis compares patterns of variability in experimental infections of Teladorsagia circumcincta in sheep with the equivalent wildlife situation – the epidemiology of T. circumcincta in a feral population of Soay sheep on St Kilda, Outer Hebrides. We focus on the relationship between mean parasite load and aggregation (inversely measured by the negative binomial parameter, k) for cohorts of hosts. The analysis and empirical data indicate that k tracks the increase and subsequent decline in the mean burden with host age. We discuss this result in terms of the degree of heterogeneity in the impact of host immunity or parasite-induced mortality required to shorten the tail of the parasite distribution (and therefore increase k) in older animals. The model is also used to analyse the relationship between estimated worm and egg counts (since only the latter are often available for wildlife hosts). Finally, we use these results to review directions for future work on the nature and impact of parasite aggregation.

Plerocercoids of the pseudophyllidean cestode Schistocephalus solidus infect the three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus, with important consequences for the biology of host fish. Techniques for culturing the parasite in vitro and generating infective stages that can be used to infect sticklebacks experimentally have been developed, and the system is increasingly used as a laboratory model for investigating aspects of host-parasite interactions. Recent experimental laboratory studies have focused on the immune responses of hosts to infection, the consequences of infection for the growth and reproductive development of host fish and the effects of infection on host behaviour. Here we introduce the host and the parasite, review the major findings of these recent experimental infection studies and identify further aspects of host parasite interactions that might be investigated using the system.

A total of 129 children were treated for Schistosoma mansoni infections, and followed for intensity of reinfection at 3-monthly intervals over a 21-month period. Blood samples were taken before treatment and at 5 weeks and 6, 12 and 18 months after treatment. This paper presents a statistical analysis of the relationship between various immune responses and subsequent reinfection. Responses analysed were: blood eosinophil levels; IgE antibodies against schistosomulum antigens; IgG antibodies mediating eosinophil-dependent killing of schistosomula; antibodies inhibiting the binding to schistosomulum antigens of two rat monoclonal antibodies that also recognize egg antigens; the levels of anti-adult worm and of anti-egg (total, IgM and IgG) antibodies; and IgM anti-schistosomulum antibodies. Results for each assay were well correlated for each of the five separate blood samples. None of the assays were predictive of resistance to reinfection, but susceptibility to reinfection was strongly correlated with results in the preceding blood samples for total anti-egg antibodies and the inhibition of binding of one of the two monoclonal antibodies. Further analysis also revealed a correlation between reinfection intensities and both IgM anti-schistosomulum antibodies and IgM and IgG anti-egg antibodies. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that early infections elicit the development, in response to egg antigens, of antibodies that block immune mechanisms directed against schistosomula. Blocking antibodies may be IgM, but might also be of an ineffective IgG isotype. The existence of such antibodies in young children would explain the slow development of immunity in the face of a range of detectable, potentially protective immune responses.

Natural anti-proteases (α1-protease inhibitor (α1-PI; α1-antitrypsin) and α2-macroglobulin (α2-M)) were found in the blood of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss and brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis. The α2-M inhibited Cryptobia salmositica proteases and was significantly higher in brook charr than in rainbow trout. Under in vitro conditions it took longer for the same number of parasites to neutralize the α2-M in charr than in trout blood. The haemolysis which occurred when C. salmositica was incubated in the blood of rainbow trout was due to neutralization of α2-M. This in vitro study also showed that it was the metalloprotease of C. salmositica that lysed red blood cells and the plasma of the two species of fishes initially prevented haemolysis by inhibiting the proteolytic activity. We suggest that the natural plasma α2-M plays an important role in defence against cryptobiosis in fishes.

The fly, Philornis downsi Dodge & Aitken, was first collected in 1964 on the Galápagos Islands and is now widespread across the archipelago. Virtually nothing is known about the behaviour and ecology of the fly as well as for the genus in general. Here, we describe all larval instars for the first time, and discuss infection intensity and impacts of parasitism on nestling survival of Darwin's finches. Adult P. downsi are non-parasitic free-living flies, whereas the larvae are obligate blood-feeding parasites on nestling birds. The larvae show a marked shift in their host site specificity – a novel finding for the genus Philornis: the first and early second larval instars live as agents of myiasis in finch nostrils and other tissues, while the older second and third instar larvae reside in the nest material and feed externally on the blood of nestlings, leading to blood losses in nestlings of 18–55%. Pupation occurs in the bottom layer of the nest. The combined effects of tissue damage by the endoparasitic instar larvae and anaemia by nest-dwelling haematophagous instar larvae account for the high nestling mortality (76%) due to Philornis parasitism. This represents the highest mortality by Philornis reported in the literature and emphasizes the extremely serious threat this parasite poses for the endemic passerine fauna of the Galápagos Islands.

Whether and how microparasites such as rabies persist in their host populations are among the fundamental questions of infectious disease epidemiology. Rabies is a fatal disease of all mammalian species, but not all mammalian species can maintain the infection as reservoirs. The approach to control depends on which of the affected species do act as reservoirs. Bringing together old and new data, we examine here the role of wild and domestic animals in maintaining rabies in the Serengeti region of Tanzania, presenting our findings in two parts. In Part I, we argue that domestic dogs are the likely reservoirs because: (1) rabies has been continuously present in the dog population since its (re)introduction in 1977, whilst (2) wildlife cases have been very rare over this period, despite intensive study of Serengeti carnivores; (3) outbreaks of rabies in wild canids (jackals) elsewhere in Africa (Zimbabwe) have followed, rather than preceded, outbreaks in the dog population; (4) all viruses isolated from wild carnivores in the Serengeti ecosystem (including the Kenyan Masai Mara) are antigenically and genetically indistinguishable from the typical domestic dog Strain; (5) dog rabies control in the Serengeti between 1958–77 apparently eliminated the disease from both dogs and wildlife. Having identified dogs as reservoirs, Part II explores some possible mechanisms of maintenance in dog populations. In theory, infection is more likely to be maintained at higher dog densities, and we provide evidence that rabies is maintained in one district with a dog density > 5/km2, but not in two other districts with densities < 1/km2. Because 5 dogs/km2 is much lower than the expected density required for persistence, we go on to investigate the role of atypical infections, showing: (1) from serology, that a substantial proportion of healthy dogs in the Serengeti have detectable serum levels of rabies-specific antibody; (2) from mathematical models that, whilst we cannot be sure what seropositivity means, persistence in low-density dog populations is more likely if seropositives are infectious carriers, rather than slow-incubators or immunes.

The Leishmania donovani complex is considered to be composed of 3 species; L. donovani, L. infantum and L. chagasi, although this classification has been challenged. Genotypic relationships within the complex were evaluated at different levels by: binding of the probe Lmet9, specific for L. chagasi and Old World Leishmania spp.; partial sequencing of a constitutive major surface protease single gene (mspC) and random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). The Old World Leishmania spp. and the L. donovani complex have a monophyletic origin. Leishmania chagasi clearly belongs to the L. donovani complex but it is indistinguishable from L. infantum, which suggests introduction of L. chagasi into the New World in recent history. Leishmania infantum/L. chagasi was identified as a monophyletic group within the L. donovani complex but L. donovani may be paraphyletic. Diversity within L. donovani is substantial and phylogeographical patterns of association were found.

Ookinetes have been cultured in vitro using modifications to the method of Weiss & Vanderberg (1977). Significant improvements in technique were produced by culture in medium at pH 8.4 and at a blood dilution at or over 1/10. Ookinetes produced were infective to mosquitoes by membrane feeding techniques. Ultrastructural analyses were made of nuclear, cytoskeletal, crystalloid and microneme development. The first intranuclear division in the zygote has been recognized as meiosis. Chromosome condensation during prophase follows the classical stages of leptotene, zygotene and pachytene. Diplotene and diakinesis are not present-the synaptonemal complexes persist into metaphase 1. Chromosomes separate at anaphase and rapidly de-condense prior to telophase. We have not recognized a second meiotic division in the ookinete. The implication of these findings to the molecular and Mendelian organization of the parasite genome are discussed.

Red foxes and raccoon dogs are hosts for a wide range of parasites including important zoonotic helminths. The raccoon dog has recently invaded into Europe from the east. The contribution of this exotic species to the epidemiology of parasitic diseases, particularly parasitic zoonoses is unknown. The helminth fauna and the abundance of helminth infections were determined in 310 carcasses of hunted red foxes and 99 of raccoon dogs from Lithuania. Both species were highly infected with Alaria alata (94·8% and 96·5% respectively) and Trichinella spp. (46·6% and 29·3%). High and significantly different prevalences in foxes and raccoon dogs were found for Eucoleus aerophilus (97·1% and 30·2% respectively), Crenosoma vulpis (53·8% and 15·1%), Capillaria plica (93·3% and 11·3%), C. putorii (29·4% and 51·5%), Toxocara canis (40·5% and 17·6%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (76·9% and 98·8%). The prevalences of the rodent-transmitted cestodes Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia polyacantha, T. crassiceps and Mesocestoides spp. were significantly higher in foxes than in raccoon dogs. The abundances of E. multilocularis, Mesocestoides, Taenia, C. plica and E. aerophilus were higher in foxes than those in raccoon dogs. A. alata, U. stenocephala, C. putorii and Echinostomatidae had higher abundances in raccoon dogs. The difference in prevalence and abundance of helminths in both animals may reflect differences in host ecology and susceptibility. The data are consistent with red foxes playing a more important role than raccoon dogs in the transmission of E. multilocularis in Lithuania.

Although research on parasite biodiversity has intensified recently, there are signs that parasites remain an underestimated component of total biodiversity in many regions of the planet. To identify geographical hotspots of parasite diversity, we performed qualitative and quantitative analyses of the parasite-host associations in fishes from Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that includes known hotspots of plant and animal biodiversity. The database included 10 904 metazoan parasite-host associations involving 1660 fish species. The number of host species with at least 1 parasite record was less than 10% of the total known fish species in the majority of countries. Associations involving adult endoparasites in actinopterygian fish hosts dominated the database. Across the whole region, no significant difference in parasite species richness was detected between marine and freshwater fishes. As a rule, host body size and study effort (number of studies per fish species) were good predictors of parasite species richness. Some interesting patterns emerged when we included only the regions with highest fish species biodiversity and study effort (Brasil, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands). Independently of differences in study effort or host body sizes, Mexico stands out as a hotspot of parasite diversity for freshwater fishes, as does Brasil for marine fishes. However, among 57 marine fish species common to all 3 regions, populations from the Caribbean consistently harboured more parasite species. These differences may reflect true biological patterns, or regional discrepancies in study effort and local priorities for fish parasitology research.

Over the last 30 years, evidence has been gathered suggesting that merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) is a target of protective immunity against malaria. In a variety of experimental approaches using in vitro methodology, animal models and sero-epidemiological techniques, the importance of antibody against MSP1 has been established but we are still finding out what are the mechanisms involved. Now that clinical trials of MSP1 vaccines are underway and the early results have been disappointing, it is increasingly clear that we need to know more about the mechanisms of immunity, because a better understanding will highlight the limitations of our current assays and identify the improvements required. Understanding the structure of MSP1 will help us design and engineer better antigens that are more effective than the first generation of vaccine candidates. This review is focused on the carboxy-terminus of MSP1.

Phylogenetic relationships among Trypanosoma rangeli isolates from man, wild mammals and triatomine bugs from widespread geographical origin were inferred by comparison of the small subunit of ribosomal gene sequences. The phylogenetic trees indicated that the subgenus Herpetosoma is polyphyletic and strongly supported division of this group into two monophyletic lineages, one made up of T. rangeli, T. rangeli-like and allied species and other consisting of T. lewisi and related taxa. Based on phylogenetic analysis, morphology, behaviour in vertebrate and invertebrate hosts and epidemiology we propose: a) the validation of Herpetosoma as a taxon comprised only for species of group lewisi and the maintenance of T. lewisi as the type-species of this subgenus; b) the classification of T. rangeli, T. rangeli-like and allied species into a ‘T. rangeli-clade’ more closely related to Schizotrypanum than to T. lewisi or T. brucei. The phylogenetic tree disclosed at least 4 groups within the clade T. rangeli, all confirmed by polymorphism of the internal transcribed spacer, thus conferring for the first time phylogenetic support to groups of T. rangeli and corroborating the high complexity of this taxon. Grouping was independent of their mammalian host-species and geographical origin, indicating that other factors are determining this segregation.

The 5-nitroimidazole drug metronidazole has remained the drug of choice in the treatment of anaerobic infections, parasitic as well as bacterial, ever since its development in 1959. In contrast to most other antimicrobials, it has a pleiotropic mode of action and reacts with a large number of molecules. Importantly, metronidazole, which is strictly speaking a prodrug, needs to be reduced at its nitro group in order to become toxic. Reduction of metronidazole, however, only takes place under very low concentrations of oxygen, explaining why metronidazole is exclusively toxic to microaerophilic and anaerobic microorganisms. In general, resistance rates amongst the pathogens treated with metronidazole have remained low until the present day. Nevertheless, metronidazole resistance does occur, and for the treatment of some pathogens, especially Helicobacter pylori, metronidazole has become almost useless in some parts of the world. This review will give an account on the current status of research on metronidazole's mode of action, metronidazole resistance in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and on other 5-nitroimidazoles in use.

Th relationships between the Encephalitozoon-like Septata intestinalis and other microsporidia that occur in humans, notably Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Encephalitozoon hellem, is insufficiently documented using morphological descriptions alone. To assess mutual relationships, we have examined other phenotypic as well as genetic aspects of S. intestinalis, obtained both from tissue culture and clinical specimens, in comparison with a number of other microsporidia. Phenotypic characterization was performed by analysis of the protein composition and antigenic structure of various microsporidian spores by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The genetic characterization consisted of the determination of the sequence of the S. intestinalis rrs gene encoding the small subunit ribosomal RNA (srRNA), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of amplified rrs genes and establishment of the degree of sequence identity between rrs genes of various microsporidian species. The unique sequence of rrs of S. intestinalis as well as the distinct RFLP and SDS-PAGE profiles indicate that S. intestinalis is clearly different from other human microsporidian species. However, its rrs gene shared about 90% sequence identity with rrs of both Encephalitozoon spp., E. cuniculi and E. hellem. This is remarkably higher than the about 70% identity observed between rrs of microsporidian species which belong to different genera and thus suggests that S. intestinalis should be regarded as a species of the genus Encephalitozoon. Western blots revealed a marked cross-reactivity between S. intestinalis and both species of Encephalitozoon which also stresses the close relationship between these organisms. It is concluded that S. intestinalis is so closely related to E. cuniculi, the type species of Encephalitozoon, that it should be reclassified as Encephalitozoon intestinalis.

Two major cytoplasmic inclusions, multilaminate vesicles and discoid granules, are present in the tegument of Schistosoma mansoni. These are produced at separate Golgi apparatuses in the tegument cell bodies and move up to the surface by a combination of diffusion and fluid flow. The discoid granules contain neutral mucopolysaccharide and are believed to break down to form the ground substance of the tegument. The multilaminate vesicles are rich in phospholipid and the contents, at least superficially, resemble unit membranes. The multilaminate vesicles are believed to contribute their contents to the multilaminate surface of the worm which appears to be continually replaced. These observations are related to current ideas on membrane turnover and the ability of the worm to acquire a disguise of host erythrocyte glycolipid.

In Guatemalan villages people commonly rear pigs, and both hosts may be infected with Ascaris. This study was designed to ask whether both humans and pigs are potential hosts in a single parasite transmission cycle in such villages, or alternatively, if there are two separate transmission cycles, one involving pigs and one involving human hosts. Parasites were collected from both host species from locations in the north and south of Guatemala. Allelic variation in the nuclear genome of Ascaris was measured using enzyme electrophoresis, while mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variation was quantified using restriction mapping. Low levels of enzyme polymorphism were found in Ascaris, but allele frequencies at two loci, mannose phosphate isomerase and esterase, suggest that there is little gene exchange between parasite populations from humans and pigs. MtDNA haplotypes fall into two distinct clusters which differ in sequence by 3–4%; the two clusters broadly correspond to worms collected from humans and those collected from pigs. However, some parasites collected from humans have mtDNA characteristic of the ‘pig Ascaris’ haplotype cluster, while some parasites collected from pigs have mtDNA characteristic of the ’ haplotype cluster. These shared haplotypes are unlikely to represent contemporary cross-infection events. Patterns of phylogenetic similarity and geographical distribution of these haplotypes suggest, instead, that they are the result of two historical introgressions of mtDNA between the two host-associated Ascaris populations. The results clearly demonstrate that Ascaris from humans and pigs are involved in separate transmission cycles in Guatemala.

The biosynthesis and fate of 4 different dense granule proteins of Toxoplasma gondii were studied with 3 monoclonal antibodies raised against tachyzoites and 1 polyclonal antibody raised against a recombinant protein. These proteins have the following molecular weights: 27 kDa (GRA 1), 28 kDa (GRA 2), 30 kDa (GRA 3) and 40 kDa (GRA 4). All four proteins were found in dense granules by immunoelectron microscopy; in T. gondii-infected cells, they were found in the vacuolar network but, in addition, GRA 3 was also detected on the parasitophorous vacuole membrane. Therefore, dense granule contents undergo differential targeting when exocytosed in the parasitophorous vacuole. Metabolic labelling and immunoprecipitation showed that GRA 2 and GRA 3 were processed from lower molecular weight precursors, and that GRA 2 and GRA 4 incorporated [3H] glucosamine and are thus likely to be glycosylated.

Throughout evolution, enzymes and their metabolites have been highly conserved. Parasites are no exception to this and differ most markedly by the absence of metabolic pathways that are present in the mammalian host. In general, parasites are metabolically lazy and rely on the metabolism of the host both for a supply of prefabricated components such as purines, fatty acids, sterols and amino acids and for the removal of end-products. Nonetheless, parasites are metabolically highly sophisticated in that (1) they retain the genetic capacity to induce many pathways, when needed, and (2) they have developed complex mechanisms for their survival in the host. Certain unique features of the metabolism of trypanosomes, leishmania, malaria and anaerobic protozoa will be discussed. This will include (1) glycolysis and electron transport with reference to the unique organelles: the glycosome and the hydrogenosome, (2) purine salvage, pyrimidine biosynthesis and folic acid metabolism and (3) polyamine and thiol metabolism with special reference to the role of the unique metabolite of trypanosomes and leishmanias, trypanothione.