The analysis of somatic antigens extracted from Aspiculuris tetraptera [Oxyuridae] and their role in eliciting immune response in laboratory mice

Background. The aim of this study was isolation and examination of Aspiculuris tetraptera somatic proteins and somatic antigens role in eliciting of immune response in laboratory mice. Material and methods. In our investigation 40 laboratory mice (BALB/c strain) were used. To extract the somatic proteins Tris-HCl buffer with NaCl and Triton X-100 was used. The analysis of somatic antigens was undertaken by Western blotting. Results. The study showed the presence of 14 protein bands ranging from ~ 82 to 28 kDa. Glicoproteins detection revealed 13 bands in range between ~ 70 to 30 kDa. There was no reaction observed with immunoglobulins IgA. Comparision of these results with earlier studies concerning S. obvelata somatic antigens show that there are proteins and glicoproteins with the same molecular weights for both species. It is also observed that S. obvelata somatic extract is more diversed and have higher antigenicity than A. tetraptera. Hence, we may suppose this fact could favour easier colonization of the host by A. tetraptera

Helminth parasites of mammals in zoological gardens

In this review the faunistic results concerning helminth parasites of mammals in zoological gardens are reported. The role of zoos in the context of parasitological surveys with special attention to laboratory in the Zoo of Łódź is presented. Different examples of helminthofauna of zoo animals are disscussed, e.g. hyperinfections of the gastro−intestinal helminths of zoo ruminants as well as parasite species common for primates and humans, e.g. Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma sp., Echinococcus multilocularis. It is reported that a high prevalence of parasitic agents was noted in captive rodents in zoos. The rodents are proven to be the source of Toxocara spp., Calodium hepaticum and E. multilocularis infections as zoological gardens may provide an ideal environment for these parasites

Helminth parasites of laboratory mice and rats

Rodents, as mice and rats are the most common laboratory animals used in research and testing. They are seldom investigated for autochthonous ecto- and endoparasites prior their utilization in the experiments. Helminth parasites can alter the interpretation of final results. Pinworms commonly infecting laboratory rodents include mainly the mice pinworms Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera, and in rats Syphacia muris. The fact that many laboratory rodent colonies were found to be parasite contaminated suggests a need for eradication and improvment of the quality of laboratory rodents. This review reports the data on the presence of helminth parasites in laboratory rodents colonies, and suggests to pay special attention on controlling the sanitary conditions of animal houses

Preliminary coproscopic examination of tortoises in the City Zoological Garden in Wroclaw, Poland

Tortoises are a novelty in the world of pets. Although a great deal of information has been acquired on the internal medicine and surgery on these animals, little is known of their parasitological fauna. Fecal samples of 11 species of tortoises housed in the City Zoological Garden in Wroclaw were examined. Eggs of parasitic helminths were isolated using flotation and sedimentation techniques. The overall prevalence was 81.2%. Two groups (Nematoda and Trematoda) of endoparasites were found. Oxyurid eggs were found almost in every animal examined. Co-infection with oxyurids and ascarids was recorded for T. horsfieldii and T. marginata. Three species of tortoises were infected by digenic trematodes

Host specificity of nematodes in Poland

Nematodes, which are the most diverse group of helminths in many aspects, constitute a good model for analysis of specificity. Among this group, we found monoxenous and stenoxenous species with a limited range of hosts and also oligoxenous and polyxenous species with a wide range of hosts. Order Oxyurida is represented mainly by monoxenous and stenoxenous species. The species from orders Strongylida, Spirurida and Ascaridida are characterized by all types of specificity while oligoxenous and polyxenous species are typical for capillariid nematodes (Enoplida). But some data show that the level of specificity is more determined by biology and ecology of host−parasite relationship than by taxonomic status