Description of Hymenolepis microstoma (Nottingham strain): a classical tapeworm model for research in the genomic era

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Hymenolepis microstoma </it>(Dujardin, 1845) Blanchard, 1891, the mouse bile duct tapeworm, is a rodent/beetle-hosted laboratory model that has been used in research and teaching since its domestication in the 1950s. Recent characterization of its genome has prompted us to describe the specific strain that underpins these data, anchoring its identity and bringing the 150+ year-old original description up-to-date.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Morphometric and ultrastructural analyses were carried out on laboratory-reared specimens of the 'Nottingham' strain of <it>Hymenolepis microstoma </it>used for genome characterization. A contemporary description of the species is provided including detailed illustration of adult anatomy and elucidation of its taxonomy and the history of the specific laboratory isolate.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our work acts to anchor the specific strain from which the <it>H. microstoma </it>genome has been characterized and provides an anatomical reference for researchers needing to employ a model tapeworm system that enables easy access to all stages of the life cycle. We review its classification, life history and development, and briefly discuss the genome and other model systems being employed at the beginning of a genomic era in cestodology.</p

The possible role of <I>Varroa destructor </I>in the spreading of American foulbrood among apiaries

GesondheidswetenskappeGeneeskundige VirologiePlease help us populate SUNScholar with the post print version of this article. It can be e-mailed to: [email protected]

Correlation between esterase electrophoretic polymorphism and virulence-associated traits in extra-intestinal invasive strains of <em>Escherichia coli</em>

The electrophoretic variations of carboxylesterase B and of esterases A, C and I, the presence of mannose resistant haemagglutinin, alpha-haemolysin, cytotoxic necrotizing factor type 1 (CNF1) and certain O antigens were compared in 150 strains of Escherichia coli responsible for extra-intestinal infections. Electrophoretic mobilities of outer membrane proteins (OMP) were also studied for strains belonging to O4, O6, O7, O8 and O75 serogroups. Fast migrating allozymes of carboxylesterase B (pattern B1) were correlated with slow migrating allozymes of esterase C, serogroups O7 and O8, lack of virulence factor, and particular OMP patterns, whereas slow migrating allozymes of carboxylesterase B (pattern B2) were correlated with fast migrating allozymes of esterase C, serogroups O2, O4, O6, O18 and O75, virulence factor production, and distinct OMP patterns. Allozymes of esterases A and I were not clearly correlated with the distribution of virulence factors. The pattern B2 was more strongly associated with CNF1 than with alpha-haemolysin and mannose resistant haemagglutinin. These results substantiate the view that the electrophoretic pattern B2 of carboxylesterase B identified most of the highly pathogenic strains implicated in extra-intestinal infection of humans