Examination of 2,876 persons in fourteen communities was carried out for clinical onchocerciasis on the Taraba river valley, Nigeria, where parasitological findings indicate unusually high endemicity. Forty-five percent of the population had at least one type of skin lesion or the other, the commonest of which was pruritus. Thirty-two percent had nodules. Some of the nodules were located in unusual sites such as the mammae, anus. Nodule carriage and nodule-load as well as lymphatic enlargement were higher than those recorded elsewhere in Nigeria and tended to increase with increase in age. When subjected to regression analysis, the relationship between skin lesion, nodule carrier rate, nodule load, scrotal enlargement and microfilaria rate (mf) on one hand and microfilaria density (mfd) on the other showed a near-perfect correlation. The findings of this study suggest that certain clinical manifestations of onchocerciasis may be a reliable and more rapid alternative to the parasitological approach in the assessment of the prevalence and severity of the disease in communities with similar socioecological characteristics.

• MeSH
• dermatitida epidemiologie   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• Onchocerca volvulus izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• onchocerkóza epidemiologie   parazitologie   patologie   MeSH
• parazitární onemocnění kůže epidemiologie   parazitologie   patologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• skrotum MeSH
• třísla MeSH
• věkové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Nigérie epidemiologie   MeSH

The present paper, the last in the series on avian blood parasites in Central Europe, summarizes the data on parasites of the genera Trypanosoma, "Atoxoplasma", "Lankesterella", microfilariae and spirochaetes found in this region. Trypanosomes occur most frequently in Columbiformes, Corvidae, Galliformes and Strigiformes, while "Aloxoplasma" is encountered only in passerines, most frequently in Fringillidae, Passeridae and Hirundinidae; "Lankesterella" is to be found only in two species of passerines. Microfilariae occur in Corvidae and Galliformes, and spirochaetes were encountered in the blood smears from four birds only. All these organisms are very rarely found in birds due to the fact that the blood smears made from peripheral blood of birds are unsuitable for the diagnosis of these parasites.

• MeSH
• Coccidia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• krev parazitologie   MeSH
• mikrofilárie izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• ptáci mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Spirochaetales izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Trypanosoma izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

Blood samples of more than 1,100 passerineform birds of 40 species were investigated for the occurrence of microfilariae. In the year 2005, 3 out of 677 birds of 31 species (prevalence 0.4%) were infected with microfilariae during the post-nesting period. During the pre-nesting period in the year 2007, 11 out of 438 birds of 31 species were infected with microfilariae (prevalence 2.5%). Both the pre-nesting and post-nesting examinations were conducted at the same location in the northeastern part of the Czech Republic. The microfilariae of the Eufilaria delicata and Ornithofilaria mavis species were found in Turdus merula, Turdus philomelos, and Erithacus rubecula (Passeriformes, Turdidae). Single individual of Poecile montanus (Passeriformes, Paridae) was infected with undetermined microfilariae. The morphometric variability of microfilariae found in T. philomelos, E. rubecula, and Poecile montanus were recorded. Infections caused by microfilariae E. delicata were more frequent than infections caused by O. mavis. Seven adult nematodes E. delicata were found in a subcutaneous cyst on the heel joint in one T. philomelos, which is the first record of adult E. delicata nematodes in birds in the Czech Republic.

• MeSH
• filarióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• krev parazitologie   MeSH
• mikrofilárie izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• nemoci ptáků epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Passeriformes parazitologie   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis are the most common filarial species affecting humans in Europe. Dirofilaria repens causes subcutaneous or ocular infection, whereas D. immitis is responsible mainly for the pulmonary form. In this report, we present the first human case of periorbital dirofilariasis in the Czech Republic. A 58-year-old woman suffered from an eyelid oedema, redness and pain in the left eye. After excising the parasite from her eyelid, all clinical symptoms disappeared. Based on the morphology and cytochrome oxidase I sequencing, the parasite was identified as D. repens. Histology revealed that the excised worm was female with absent microfilariae in uteri. With respect to the length of the incubation period and the sequence identity with a known Czech isolate, we concluded that D. repens was most likely of autochthonous origin.

• Klíčová slova
• Clinical symptom, Cytochrome oxidase I, Dirofilaria repens, Eye, Filarial, Human, Microfilaria, Ocular infection,
• MeSH
• cyklooxygenasa 1 genetika   MeSH
• Dirofilaria repens cytologie   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• dirofilarióza parazitologie   patologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrofilárie izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• oční infekce parazitární parazitologie   patologie   MeSH
• proteiny červů genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• cyklooxygenasa 1 MeSH
• proteiny červů MeSH

Samples of blood (serum, smears and blood preserved with ethanol) were collected from dogs during a vaccination campaign in northern Kenya in the years 2006 and 2007. Blood was screened for filarial parasites using molecular and microscopy methods and sera were tested for antibodies against canine distemper virus (CDV). Parasitological examination revealed the presence of two species of canine filariae: Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides and A. reconditum. The DNA from the former species was detected in 58% dogs sampled in 2006 and 36% dogs sampled in 2007, whereas the latter was found only in 4.2% samples collected in 2007. Microfilariae were found in 33.8% blood smears collected in 2006 and 10.6% blood smears collected in 2007. The seroprevalence of CDV was 33.4% in 2006 and 11.2% in 2007. The effect of sex, age and CDV-seropositivity/seronegativity on the occurrence of A. dracunculoides was evaluated. Infection by A. dracunculoides was more common in males and in dogs with a positive antibody titer for canine distemper, but evenly distributed among different age groups. The difference in the prevalence of A. dracunculoides in two isolated mountain ranges was not statistically significant. Methodologies available for detection and determination of canine filariae are compared, underlining methodical pitfalls arising through the determination of less common filarial species. The role of single epidemiological factors and possible association between canine distemper and filariasis are discussed.

• MeSH
• filarióza komplikace   epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• mikrofilárie * MeSH
• nemoci psů epidemiologie   etiologie   parazitologie   virologie   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• psinka komplikace   epidemiologie   MeSH
• stárnutí MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• psi MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Keňa epidemiologie   MeSH

We examined 110 dogs, imported or born to imported females or living together with imported dogs in kennels, for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis, and assessed the climatic conditions in the Czech Republic that may promote spread of the disease. Relevant techniques were used to detect specific antigen, specific antibodies and microfilariae. The presence of antigen was detected in one imported dog, microfilariae were not found and antibodies were detected in 30.5% of the imported dogs. No heartworm was found in dogs, which did not travel outside of the Czech Republic. The evaluation of temperature charts showed that it was possible for at least one heartworm generation to develop under climatic conditions in the Czech Republic.

• MeSH
• antigeny helmintové MeSH
• Dirofilaria immitis růst a vývoj   MeSH
• dirofilarióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• ELISA veterinární   MeSH
• fluoroimunoanalýza veterinární   MeSH
• mikrofilárie izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• nemoci psů epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• podnebí MeSH
• protilátky helmintové krev   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• psi MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• antigeny helmintové MeSH
• protilátky helmintové MeSH

Stage-specific haemagglutinating (HA) and precipitin antibodies (PA) to infective larvae (L3), adult worms and microfilariae (mf) have been demonstrated in sera of Mastomys natalensis during the course of Dipetalonema viteae infection using indirect haemagglutination (IHA) and Ouchterlony's gel-diffusion tests. L3-specific HA antibody titre was shown to be quite low and lasted for shorter period whereas adult-specific antibody response was significantly higher and persisted for longer duration (beyond day 240 post exposure). No precipitin antibody to L3 stage could be detected, however, significant adult-specific antibody was detected which ultimately tapered off by day 210 post exposure (p.e.). In contrast, mf-specific PA which appeared at the beginning of patency, never disappeared even at the late stage of infection. Mf-specific HA antibody appeared at early incubation period (day 15 p.e.) and after exhibiting two peaks, one in the midst of prepatent period (day 30 p.e.) and the other on day 180 p.e. persisted at low level during the late stage of infection when amicrofilaraemia developed.

• MeSH
• Dipetalonema imunologie   MeSH
• filarióza imunologie   MeSH
• hemaglutinační testy MeSH
• imunodifuze MeSH
• infekce hlísticemi rodu Dipetalonema imunologie   MeSH
• larva imunologie   MeSH
• mikrofilárie imunologie   MeSH
• Muridae MeSH
• protilátky helmintové biosyntéza   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protilátky helmintové MeSH

The known data resulting from individual surveys of canine dirofilariosis point to the great differences in the epidemiological situation among countries where Dirofilaria parasites emerged approximately at the same time. In this regard, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, neighboring countries situated in Central Europe, could serve as an illustrative example of such a situation. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of canine dirofilariosis in both countries and to discuss the reasons for potential differences shown. Between October and December 2019, 429 dogs from the Czech Republic and 644 from Slovakia were examined for canine dirofilariosis using the Knott test for microfilariae detection and conventional PCR for the species determination. The results' analyses showed notable differences. While in the Czech Republic autochthonous Dirofilaria repens cases are reported sporadically and Dirofilaria immitis infections have been confirmed only as imported so far, in Slovakia, both Dirofilaria species seem to have become endemic. Concretely, in the Czech Republic, microfilariae were detected in the peripheral blood of 8 dogs (1.86%): in seven, D. repens was confirmed, and in one dog, mixed infection with D. repens and D. immitis was diagnosed. Seven infected animals came from the eastern part of the country neighboring Slovakia. In Slovakia, microfilariae were detected in 68 (10.56%) dogs examined. DNA analysis confirmed D. repens mono-infection in 38 (5.90%) dogs, single D. immitis infection in 21 (3.26%) animals, and both Dirofilaria species were detected in 9 (1.40%) samples. Although we are unable to determine the cause of the differences, our study confirmed that the long-registered low number of canine dirofilariosis cases in the Czech Republic is not due to insufficient investigation (monitoring), but due to a low prevalence of the parasite in this area.

• Klíčová slova
• Canine dirofilariosis, Czech Republic, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, Slovakia,
• MeSH
• Dirofilaria immitis genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Dirofilaria repens genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• dirofilarióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• koinfekce veterinární   MeSH
• mikrofilárie MeSH
• nemoci psů epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce veterinární   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• psi MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Anuran filarial nematodes are restricted to two comparatively small subfamilies (Icosiellinae and Waltonellinae) of the filariae that currently comprise six genera and 41 recognised species. However, the life histories of only five anuran filarial nematodes, proposed as an ancestral group based on molecular phylogenetic studies, have been elucidated. Furthermore, data on the natural vectors (in situ) and parasite transmission is limited. In the current study we elucidate the life history of Neofoleyellides boerewors n. gen. n. sp. parasitising the guttural toad, Sclerophrys gutturalis and the mosquito vectors Uranotaenia (Pseudoficalbia) mashonaensis and Uranotaenia (Pseudoficalbia) montana. Additionally, we report on the unique host-seeking behaviour of the mosquito vectors which locate their toad hosts using their calls. The complex host-vector relationship and specialised host-seeking behaviour by these mosquitoes indicate biases towards host species and male toad infections.

• Klíčová slova
• Amphibian, Anuran, Filarial nematode, Frog, Life cycle, Microfilaria, Parasite,
• MeSH
• Culicidae parazitologie   MeSH
• Filarioidea anatomie a histologie   klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• filarióza * parazitologie   přenos   veterinární   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• hlístice MeSH
• interakce hostitele a parazita MeSH
• komáří přenašeči parazitologie   MeSH
• mikrofilárie izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• respirační komplex IV genetika   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S genetika   MeSH
• stadia vývoje MeSH
• žáby parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• respirační komplex IV MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH

Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens are mosquito-borne nematodes, primarily infecting dogs, but also other species of carnivores and even humans. Given their impact on animal and human health, the transmission of these filarioids has been widely studied. The microfilariaemia has been shown to have a circadian variation for both Dirofilaria species infecting dogs. Due to methodological difficulties, the periodicity was only studied using venous blood samples, while the mosquitoes feed, in fact, on capillary blood. In this context, the present study aimed to test the feasibility of using triatomine bugs for the collection of capillary blood and to comparatively evaluate the level of microfilariaemia and its circadian variation in capillary blood vs. peripheral venous blood in a dog naturally co-infected with D. immitis and D. repens. The results showed a feeding success of 50%, with variations in the blood meal volume that the bugs ingested. The relative values of microfilariaemia (mf/bug) were strongly correlated with the volume of blood recovered: the more blood recovered from each bug, the higher values of microfilariaemia in the evening samples while the opposite results were obtained for the morning samples. The counting of microfilariae revealed a dominance of D. immitis in all the samples, but with significantly higher microfilariaemia in the venous blood. Meanwhile, for D. repens, the situation was opposite, with higher counts in the capillary blood samples. Our study showed that triatomine bugs can be used as a model for the collection and study of microfilariaemia in the capillary blood in mammals.

• Klíčová slova
• Co-infection, Dirofilaria, Periodicity, Triatomine bug,
• MeSH
• cirkadiánní rytmus MeSH
• Dirofilaria immitis izolace a purifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• Dirofilaria repens izolace a purifikace   fyziologie   MeSH
• dirofilarióza diagnóza   parazitologie   MeSH
• kapiláry parazitologie   MeSH
• koinfekce diagnóza   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• mikrofilárie klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• nemoci psů diagnóza   parazitologie   MeSH
• odběr vzorku krve metody   veterinární   MeSH
• parazitemie diagnóza   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• psi MeSH
• studie proveditelnosti MeSH
• Triatominae * MeSH
• vény parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• psi MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH