Imunokromatografski test za dokaz invazije vrstama Babesia caballi i Babesia equi Laveran 1901 (Theileria equi Mehlhorn i Schein, 1998) (Phylum Apicomplexa) u fi lipinskih konja u usporedbi s dokazom parazita u krvnim razmascima

Sera collected from 71 slaughtered and 33 racing horses were assayed for Babesia spp. infection using immunochromatographic (ICT) assay. The ICT strips which were developed at the National Research Center for Protozoan Diseases (NRCPD), Obihiro University, Hokkaido, Japan contained a recombinant B. caballi 48-kDa rhoptry protein (rBc48) and a recombinant truncated B. equi merozoite antigen 2 (rEMA-2t) for the detection of anti-horse Babesia spp. antibodies. The 63 sero-positive blood samples consisted of 41(57.7%) and 22 (66.7%) cases in slaughtered and racing horses, respectively. Twelve sera (19.0%) reacted with both B. caballi and B. equi antigens, 45 sera (71.0%) reacted with rBc48 antigen only, and six sera (10.0%) were positive for B. equi antibodies only. Babesia caballi infection accounted for 90.5% cases. Infection with B. caballi and/or B. equi confirmed in Giemsa-stained blood smears prepared from racing horse samples only revealed 22 (66.7%) seropositive cases. Paired pear or crescent-shaped merozoites (0.5-1.25 μm), characteristic of B. caballi were observed in 20 blood smears, while only two seropositive cases revealed the presence of both B. caballi and the Maltese cross or tetrad-shaped merozoites (0.62-0.95 μm) generally associated with Theileria sp. (B. equi) parasite. To our knowledge, this is the first immunochromatographic assay of equine babesiosis in the Philippines validated by the detection of specific etiologic agent(s) in blood smears.Uzorci seruma 71 zaklanog konja i 33 športska konja bili su pretraženi na prisutnost protutijela za babezije imunokromatografskim testom (ICT). Testovi razvijeni u Nacionalnom istraživačkom centru za protozojske bolesti u sklopu Sveučilišta Obihiro u Hokaidu u Japanu sadržavali su rekombinantni protein od 48-kDa (rBc48) vrste B. caballi i rekombinantni krnji merozoitski antigen 2 (rEMA-2t) vrste B. equi za određivanje protutijela za vrste roda Babesia. Od ukupno 63 serološki pozitivna konja, 41 (57,7%) pripadao je skupini kojoj je krv bila uzeta pri klanju, a 22 (66,7%) bila su iz skupine športskih konja. Dvadeset uzoraka seruma (19,0%) bilo je pozitivno na oba antigena (B. caballi i B. equi), 45 uzoraka (71,0%) samo na antigen rBc48, dok je svega šest uzoraka (10%) bilo pozitivno na protutijela za vrstu B. equi. Protutijela za vrstu B. caballi bila su dokazana u 90,5% pretraženih uzoraka. Pretragom krvnih razmazaka obojenih po Giemzi babezije su bile dokazane u svega 22 (66,7%) športska konja. Kruškaste tvorevine (0,5-1,25 μm), karakteristične za merozoite protozoona B. caballi bile su dokazane u 20 razmazaka krvi. Samo u dva serološki pozitivna uzorka dokazana je vrsta B. caballi i merozoiti razmješteni u obliku malteškoga križa (0,62-0,95 μm) što je i karakteristika protozoa iz roda Theileria (B. equi). Ovim istraživanjem prvi put je dokazana prikladnost imunokromatografskoga testa za određivanje protutijela za babezije konja na Filipinima, a rezultati su uspoređeni s nalazom uzročnika u krvnim razmascima

Parasites bared in Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi

This paper documents the richness of parasites inhabiting Rattus tanezumi and Rattus norvegicus. Rattus spp. revealed six ectoparasites, namely: mites genus Chirodiscoides, and Radfordia ensifera, Laelaps nutalli and Ornithonyssus bacoti, fleas Xenopsylla cheopis, and lice Polyplax spinulosa. While infestation with L. nutalli was heavy in 15 (100%) and 13 (86.7%) R. norvegicus and R. tanezumi, respectively, only R. tanezumi harbored Chirodiscoides and P. spinulosa at 80.0%. Endoparasites identified were two kinds of nematodes belonging to genus Nippostrongylus (Class Secernencea) and Capillaria hepatica (Class Adenophorea), and tapeworms identified as genus Raillietina, and Hymenolepis, and Taenia taeniaformis. While all 30 rats showed 100% parasitism with ecto- and endoparasites, Babesia infection was detected only in eight rats (26.6%), with seven cases recorded in male rats. Most dominant endoparasites were Nippostrongylus in R. norvegicus at 73.3%, and R. tanezumi at 100.0%; while R. norvegicus and R. tanezumi revealed 86.6% and 66.6% prevalence with C. hepatica, respectively. Interestingly, Taenia taeniaformis and Raillietina were detected only in R. norvegicus at 80.0% and 20.0% infection, respectively. While both species of rats examined revealed susceptibility to different kinds of parasites, the heavier R. norvegicus seemed to nurture and support greater parasite species richness and density. In view of the argument of a clear accumulation of helminth diversity and species burden with increasing age of rat species and in the absence of information of the ages of rats used in the present survey, studies to cover an expanded rat population in the Philippines is recommended

College of Science week celebration

Dr. Florencia Claveria, Dean of the College of Science (COS) and Carl Oliveros, a B.S. Mathematics student, were awarded outstanding faculty and student, respectively, during the closing ceremony of the COS Week celebration

Intraspecific variation in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks (Family Ixodidae) isolated from goats raised in a small private farm in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, Central Luzon, Philippines

This study was carried out to ascertain tick infestation of goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) grown in a small private farm in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Central Luzon, Philippines. Prevalence of infestation was assessed and ticks examined based on their developmental stages and sex were identified as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Adult ticks displayed intraspecific polymorphic variations (ISPV). Male Rh. (Bo.) microplus manifested variations in the distinctness of the ventral anal plate spurs (88.2%), and in the visibility of these same spurs when specimens were viewed dorsally. ISPV was detected in the shape or contour of the genital aperture lips in 37.5% of female ticks. To our knowledge, this study represents the first documentation of Rh. (Boophilus) microplus infestation in Philippine goats vis-à-vis demonstration of intraspecific polymorphic variations between male and female individual ticks

Studies on Bubaline and Bovine sarcocystis spp. infection: Philippine cases

In a survey for sarcocysts in muscle tissues obtained from 142 water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis）, 92(64.8%) carcasses had sarcocysts. Macroscopic and two forms of microscopic cysts, the spindle-shaped or fusiform cysts commonly occurring in the muscles of the esophagus, throat and limbs, and the globular to oval cysts which were the dominant form in the diaphragm and the cervical muscle tissue were noted. Ultrastructural analysis of macroscopic and microscopic cysts and their cyst wall revealed two distinct species of Sarcocystis infecting Philippine water buffaloes. These are the macroscopic species, Sarcocystis fusiformis which has been previously reported in the country possessing highly-dendritic cauliflower-like projections emanating from the primary cyst wall, with annulated microfibrils and numerous electron dense granules; and the newly redescribed Sarcocystis levinei (Dissanaike and Kan 1978; Huong, Dubey and Uggla 1997) exhibiting a cyst wall with numerous, minute hair-like villar protrusions with expanded or dome-shaped base, an intermediate finger-like, and distal tapering segments which at some points join to form conical tufts. Our findings represent the first report of S. levinei in Philippine water buffaloes are developing forms of S. fusiformis. Three morphologically different microscopic sarcosyt were detected; the spherical and radially striated or hirsute cysts with thick cyst wall (type 1); the spherical to oval exhibiting thinner cyst wall (type 2) compared to type 1; and the spindle shaped to elongate cysts with prominent compartmentalized arrangement of zoites separated by septate. Sarcocysts morphology and their host location suggest Sarcocystis hominis and Sarcocystis cruzi as the most likely etiologic species. The infections noted may either be local or imported in origin. In the absence of any documentes studies on local or imported bovine sarcocystosis in the country to date, these initial findings are valuable. However, future studies on ultrastructural analysis of the sarcocysts and the cyst wall to confirm species identification, and experimental exposure studies to determine the probable definitive host(s) of Sarcocystis species are necessary

Light microscopic and ultrastructural studies on Sarcocystis spp. infection in Philippine water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

In a survey for sarcocysts in muscle tissues obtained from 142 water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis）, 92(64.8%) carcasses had sarcocysts. Macroscopic and two forms of microscopic cysts, the spindle-shaped or fusiform cysts commonly occurring in the muscles of the esophagus, throat and limbs, and the globular to oval cysts which were the dominant form in the diaphragm and cervical muscle tissue were noted. Ultrastructural analysis of macroscopic and microscopic cysts and their cyst wall revealed two distinct species of Sarcocystis infecting Philippine water buffaloes. These are the macroscopic species, Sarcocystis fusiformis which has been previously reported in the country possessing highly-dendritic cauliflower-like projections emanating from the primary cyst wall, with annulated microfibrils and numerous electron dense granules; and the newly redescribed Sarcocystis levinei (Dissanaike and Kan 1978; Huong, Dubey and Uggla 1997b) exhibiting a cyst wall with numerous, minute hair-like villar protrusions with expanded or dome-shaped base, an intermediate finger-like, and distal tapering segments which at some points join to form conical tufts. Our findings represent the first report of S. levinei in Philippine water buffaloes supported with ultrastructural analysis of the sarcocyst and its cyst wall, and likewise refute earlier published reports that all microscopic cysts in Philippine water buffaloes are developing forms of S. fusiformis

Medically important mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) identified in rural Barangay Binubusan, Lian, Batangas Province, Philippines

Larval mosquito collection was performed in Barangay Binubusan, Lian Municipality, Batangas Province during the last quarter of 2008 from October to December to determine the mosquito populations present in the area. Mosquito larvae were collected from various habitats, namely: rice paddy, sunny pond, open residential canal, shaded pond, and abandoned tire. A dichotomous key was devised for the identification of local mosquito fauna. A total of 1,128 mosquito larvae were collected during the study period, comprising 958 (84.93%) Culex, 125 (11.08%) Aedes, and 45 (3.99%) Anopheles. The highest larval collection was recorded in November consisting of 100% Culex spp. Five Culex species were identified: Culex quinquefasciatus (51.86%), Culex vishnui (14.0%), Culex tritaeniorhynchus (9.84%), Culex whitmorei (8.78%) and the first reported presence of Culex mimeticus (0.53%) in the country. Aedes species were represented by Aedes vexans (5.94%), Aedes aegypti (4.34%), and Aedes niveus (0.80%). Anopheline mosquitoes were represented only by Anopheles flavoristris (3.99%). Of the species identified, only Ae. aegypti and An. flavirostris have been documented of public health importance in the country

Biodiversity of species of hard ticks (Family Ixodidae) infesting water buffaloes and cattle raised in six study sites in Bulacan, and the association of tick presence with detection babesiosis

Hard ticks (Family Ixodidae) are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites largely of mammals. Worldwide, focus has been on about 80 different species of medical and veterinary importance, either due to their own pathogenesis or because of the pathogen/parasites they transmit. Ticks are epidemiologically and clinically important, considering that all developmental stages can cause anemia, dermatosis, paralysis, otocariasis, and can transmit viral, bacterial, rickettsial and protozoa like Babesia to susceptible host. In asia, bovine and bubaline babesiosis is widespread, and in communities co-inhabiting with livestock and wild animals infested with ticks, human cases of tick-transmitted babesiosis exist. In developing countries like the Philippine, livestock industry makes-up an important economic source in the rural population and is a target for agribusiness in the dairy, meat and processed food sector. With tick infestation, livestock production and their productivity can be greatly hindered owing to a whole range of pathogenesis ticks cause alongside transmission of devastating and often virulent agents of diseases. Altogether, these result to loss of income attributed to decrease in meat and milk production, poor growth, mortality, and indirect losses attributed to the high cost in controlling diseases. There is clearly a dearth of information, much more so of documented studies on tick species diversity and distribution in the country. The first report of ticks relied basically on small collections sent to Europe for identification. Ticks are abundant in pasture with dense vegetation with their population dynamics directly correlated with high temperature, low humidity and less rainfall. Of the few species of ticks reported infesting livestock, Boophilus microplus is considered the most common and economically important, with infestation often associated with transmission of Babesia parasites. Philippine reptiles are susceptible to infestation with Amblyomma helvolum. Stray dogs are predominantly infested with Rhipicephalus ticks. Blood samples obtained from slaughtered and racing horses and examined serologically tested positive for anti Babesis caballi and/or anti-Babesi equi antibodies, and this was confirmed by the presence of parasites in blood film. Interestingly, these horses were negative of ticks. Although our earlier attempts to document tick infestation and infection with Babesia in horses and stray dogs had been cursory, the findings nonetheless clearly suggest the need to expand the study to livestock such as, the water buffaloes and cattle that constitute one of the principal sources, if not the bedrock of income generation of the marginalized rural sector. The unawareness of the farmers of the susceptibility of farm animals to pathogenesis and transmission of hematophagous infections attributable to the blood feeding activity of the ixodid ticks greatly deprive them of a sustained source of income and food. More than having to help out farmers in economic terms, the information with regard to tick infestation and babesiosis is imperative in the development of rational strategies to mitigate problems owing to ticks and control of disease transmission as well as, in the improvement od far, practices and management locally, that should ultimately translate to the protection of communities from the potential risk of exposure to the parasitic agent(s) themselves. Also, the baseline information would be valuable inputs for future “predictive spatial modeling” approaches to develop disease risk maps, specifically in the country where surveillance of the hematophagus ticks and their risk of transmitting diseases, is limited or even non-existent to this day. The study proposes to create a database of the biodiversity of species of hard ticks infesting water buffaloes and cattle in six selected study areas in Bulacan which are known for farming, poultry and small and large livestock production and raising, and food processing as their major industries. It also aims to analyze the findings on tick infestation vis-a-vis detection of babesiosis