Morphology and molecular systematic of marine gregarines (Apicomplexa) from Southwestern Atlantic spionid polychaetes

Gregarines are a common group of parasites that infect the intestines of marine invertebrates, and particularly polychaetes. Here, we describe for the first time four gregarine species that inhabit the intestines of three spionid species: Dipolydora cf. flava, Spio quadrisetosa and Boccardia proboscidea from the Patagonian coast, Argentina, using light and scanning electron microscopy and molecular phylogenetic analyses of small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequences. Even though the spionid species thrive in the same environments, our results showed a high host specificity of the gregarine species. Selenidium cf. axiferens and Polyrhabdina aff. polydorae were both identified from the intestine of D. cf. flava. The new species, Polyrhabdina madrynense sp. n. and Selenidium patagonica sp. n., were described from the intestines of S. quadrisetosa and the invasive species B. proboscidea, respectively. All specimens of D. cf. flava and S. quadrisetosa were infected by gregarines (P?=?100%), recording the highest mean intensity values of infection (MI?=?80; 60 respectively), in contrast to B. proboscidea (P?=?60%; MI?=?38). We associated this finding with the recent invasion of this host. It is expected that in the future, an increase of its population density might favour a rising intensity of this gregarine infection

Adherence issues related to sublingual immunotherapy as perceived by allergists

Objectives: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a viable alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma, and is widely used in clinical practice in many European countries. The clinical efficacy of SLIT has been established in a number of clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, because SLIT is self-administered by patients without medical supervision, the degree of patient adherence with treatment is still a concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception by allergists of issues related to SLIT adherence. Methods: We performed a questionnaire-based survey of 296 Italian allergists, based on the adherence issues known from previous studies. The perception of importance of each item was assessed by a VAS scale ranging from 0 to 10. Results: Patient perception of clinical efficacy was considered the most important factor (ranked 1 by 54% of allergists), followed by the possibility of reimbursement (ranked 1 by 34%), and by the absence of side effects (ranked 1 by 21%). Patient education, regular follow-up, and ease of use of SLIT were ranked first by less than 20% of allergists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that clinical efficacy, cost, and side effects are perceived as the major issues influencing patient adherence to SLIT, and that further improvement of adherence is likely to be achieved by improving the patient information provided by prescribers. © 2010 Scurati et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

Host-parasite relationship of the geoduck Panopea abbreviatta and the green alga Coccomyxa parasitica from the Argentinean Patagonian coast

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Parasites in two coexisting bivalves of the Patagonia coast, southwestern Atlantic Ocean: The Puelche oyster (Ostrea puelchana) and false oyster (Pododesmus rudis)

The purpose of this study was to compare the parasites of two coexisting bivalves, the edible Puelche oyster (Ostrea puelchana) and the false oyster (Pododesmus rudis) that lives attached to O. puelchana shells, and to investigate their host specificity. Samples from wild populations, 465 O. puelchana and 131 P. rudis, were collected seasonally during two years in the San José Gulf (northern Patagonia, Argentina) and were processed using standard histological techniques. To increase the natural low prevalences of Bonamia spp. and Perkinsus spp. that are present in wild populations, an in situ experiment was performed by maintaining captive sentinel bivalves at high densities inside a plastic mesh bag to enhance parasite transmission. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to test for apparent Bonamia sp. infections among captive sentinel O. puelchana specimens (n = 80), and Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) assays and histological immunoassays tested for apparent Perkinsus sp. infections among captive sentinel P. rudis specimens (n = 100). Despite histological observations that revealed the presence of microcells resembling Bonamia sp. infecting hemocytes of some Puelche oysters, PCR assays did not confirm that parasite identification. Among captive sentinel P. rudis that showed histological evidence of Perkinsus sp. infections, neither RFTM nor immunoassays confirmed such parasites. Ostrea puelchana from wild populations were occasional hosts for both Rickettsia-like organism (RLOs) and Urastoma-like turbellarians. In contrast, six parasite taxa infected P. rudis from coexisting populations, including RLOs, Urastoma-like turbellarians, an intracellular gregarine species, Nematopsis-like oocysts, an unidentified coccidian and a Perkinsus qugwadi-like protozoan. These results demonstrated specific infection patterns of the identified parasites in relation to their hosts.Fil: Vázquez, Nuria Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Aranguren, Raquel. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Dungan, Christopher F.. Cooperative Oxford Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Cremonte, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos; Argentin