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Horák P, Bulantová J, Mikeš L. Other Schistosomatoidea and Diplostomoidea. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1454:107-155. [PMID: 39008265 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-60121-7_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Trematodes of the order Diplostomida are well known as serious pathogens of man, and both farm and wild animals; members of the genus Schistosoma (Schistosomatidae) are responsible for human schistosomosis (schistosomiasis) affecting more than 200 million people in tropical and subtropical countries, and infections of mammals and birds by animal schistosomes are of great veterinary importance. The order Diplostomida is also rich in species parasitizing other major taxa of vertebrates. The "Aporocotylidae" sensu lato are pathogenic in fish, "Spirorchiidae" sensu lato in reptiles. All these flukes have two-host life cycles, with asexually reproducing larvae usually in mollusks and occasionally in annelids, and adults usually live in the blood vessels of their vertebrate hosts. Pathology is frequently associated with inflammatory reactions to eggs trapped in various tissues/organs. On the other hand, the representatives of Diplostomidae and Strigeidae have three- or four-host life cycles in which vertebrates often serve not only as definitive but also as intermediate or paratenic hosts. Pathology is usually associated with migration of metacercariae and mesocercariae within the host tissues. The impact of these trematode infections on both farm and wild animals may be significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Horák
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Bulantová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Mikeš
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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Terenina N, Kreshchenko N, Movsesyan S. Musculature and neurotransmitters of internal organs of trematodes (the digestive, reproductive and excretory systems). ZOOLOGY 2021; 150:125986. [PMID: 34929537 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2021.125986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The article analyzes the results on the presence and organization of the muscle elements in the visceral organs of parasitic flatworms, trematodes, as well as their innervations. The different regions of the digestive, reproductive and excretory systems of trematodes contain circular, longitudinal and diagonal muscle fibers. The results of immunocytochemical investigations and confocal scanning laser microscopy show the presence of serotonin and FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity in the nervous system elements in various parts of the digestive, reproductive and excretory systems of trematodes. The data suggest that serotonergic and FMRFamide-immunopositive components of parasite's nervous system are involved in the regulation of the muscle activity of the digestive, reproductive and excretory systems. Comparative analysis of the results presented for trematodes from different taxonomic groups indicates that the organization of muscle elements in the visceral organs in trematodes and their innervation by serotonergic and peptidergic components are highly conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadezhda Terenina
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 33, Moscow, 119071, Russia.
| | - Natalia Kreshchenko
- Institute of Cell Biophysics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya str., 3, Pushchino, Moscow Region, 142290, Russia.
| | - Sergey Movsesyan
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 33, Moscow, 119071, Russia
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Horák P, Bulantová J, Mikeš L. Schistosomatoidea and Diplostomoidea. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1154:217-254. [PMID: 31297764 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-18616-6_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Trematodes of the order Diplostomida are well known as serious pathogens of man, and both farm and wild animals; members of the genus Schistosoma (Schistosomatidae) are responsible for human schistosomosis affecting more than 200 million people in tropical and subtropical countries, infections of mammals and birds by animal schistosomes are of great veterinary importance. The order Diplostomida is also rich in species parasitizing other major taxa of vertebrates. The Aporocotylidae are pathogenic in fish, Spirorchiidae in reptiles. All these flukes have two-host life cycles, with asexually reproducing larvae usually in molluscs and occasionally in annelids, and adults usually live in the blood vessels of their vertebrate hosts. Pathology is frequently associated with inflammatory reactions to eggs trapped in various tissues/organs. On the other hand, the representatives of Diplostomidae and Strigeidae have three- or four-host life cycles in which vertebrates often serve not only as definitive, but also as intermediate or paratenic hosts. Pathology is usually associated with migration of metacercariae and mesocercariae within the host tissues. The impact of these trematode infections on both farm and wild animals may be significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Horák
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 2, Czechia.
| | - Jana Bulantová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 2, Czechia
| | - Libor Mikeš
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 2, Czechia
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Rossin MA, De Francesco PN, Timi JT. Three-dimensional morphology of rigid structures as a tool for taxonomic studies of Dactylogyridae (Monogenea). Parasitol Res 2017; 116:2813-2819. [PMID: 28823048 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5591-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Dactylogyridae is overwhelmingly the most abundant and diverse taxon among monogeneans in continental waters of South America. Their small body size requires considerable sampling effort and training for collecting and identifying the worms from the gills, skin, nasal cavities, and other microhabitats. Indeed, diagnostic characteristics as sclerites and male copulatory complex are generally less than 100-μm long and are essential for taxonomic description and identification of species. Here, a combination of simple and routine methods for three-dimensional morphological studies on hard structures is proposed for dactylogirids: SDS treatment for clarification of specimens and enzymatic digestion with proteinase K for freeing sclerotized structures, followed by laser confocal microscopy. This method is applicable to fresh or fixed specimens and does not require staining or dehydration. Indeed, stable autofluorescence emission is detectable at 500-530 nm for bars, anchors, and male copulatory complex when excited by argon laser. Advantages of this protocol over previous methodologies for taking laser confocal images are discussed. Open access software for image processing was used for three-dimensional reconstruction of sclerotized structures generating models and full 360° rotation videos.
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Affiliation(s)
- María A Rossin
- Laboratorio de Ictioparasitología, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMIyC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Funes 3350, (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina.
| | - Pablo N De Francesco
- Laboratorio de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad Nacional de La Plata-Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), Calle 526 y Cno. Gral. Belgrano, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Juan T Timi
- Laboratorio de Ictioparasitología, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMIyC), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Funes 3350, (7600), Mar del Plata, Argentina
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Krupenko DY, Dobrovolskij AA. Somatic musculature in trematode hermaphroditic generation. BMC Evol Biol 2015; 15:189. [PMID: 26373845 PMCID: PMC4571110 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-015-0468-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The somatic musculature in trematode hermaphroditic generation (cercariae, metacercariae and adult) is presumed to comprise uniform layers of circular, longitudinal and diagonal muscle fibers of the body wall, and internal dorsoventral muscle fibers. Meanwhile, specific data are few, and there has been no analysis taking the trunk axial differentiation and regionalization into account. Yet presence of the ventral sucker (= acetabulum) morphologically divides the digenean trunk into two regions: preacetabular and postacetabular. The functional differentiation of these two regions is already evident in the nervous system organization, and the goal of our research was to investigate the somatic musculature from the same point of view. RESULTS Somatic musculature of ten trematode species was studied with use of fluorescent-labelled phalloidin and confocal microscopy. The body wall of examined species included three main muscle layers (of circular, longitudinal and diagonal fibers), and most of the species had them distinctly better developed in the preacetabuler region. In majority of the species several (up to seven) additional groups of muscle fibers were found within the body wall. Among them the anterioradial, posterioradial, anteriolateral muscle fibers, and U-shaped muscle sets were most abundant. These groups were located on the ventral surface, and associated with the ventral sucker. The additional internal musculature was quite diverse as well, and included up to twelve separate groups of muscle fibers or bundles in one species. The most dense additional bundles were found in the preacetabular region and were connected with the suckers. CONCLUSIONS Previously unknown additional somatic musculature probably provides the diverse movements of the preacetabular region, ventral sucker, and oral sucker (or anterior organ). Several additional muscle groups of the body wall (anterioradial, posterioradial, anteriolateral fibers and U-shaped sets) are proposed to be included into the musculature ground pattern of trematode hermaphroditic generation. This pattern is thought to be determined by the primary trunk morphofunctional differentiation into the preacetabular and the postacetabular regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darya Y Krupenko
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Andrej A Dobrovolskij
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia.
- Department of Zoology, Herzen State Pedagogical University, St. Petersburg, Russia.
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Muscle architecture during the course of development of Diplostomum pseudospathaceum Niewiadomska, 1984 (Trematoda, Diplostomidae) from cercariae to metacercariae. J Helminthol 2015; 90:321-36. [DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x15000310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRecent confocal microscopy studies have greatly expanded our knowledge of muscle systems in cercariae and adult digeneans, but the gross anatomy and development of metacercarial musculature remain relatively little known. To further our understanding of metacercarial development, this study used phalloidin staining and confocal microscopy to examine changes in muscle architecture over the course of development from cercariae to infective metacercariae in Diplostomum pseudospathaceum Niewiadomska, 1984. The paper describes muscle development in the body wall, anterior organ (oral sucker), acetabulum, pharynx and midgut and in the musculo-glandular organs that first appear in metacercariae (lappets and holdfast). The muscle architecture of the cercarial tail is also described. The results of the study support previously reported observations that diplostomid musculature undergoes substantial transformation during metacercarial development. The most profound changes, involving extensive remodelling and replacement of cercarial muscles, were seen in the body-wall musculature and in the anterior organ as it developed into the oral sucker. Muscle systems of other cercarial organs showed more gradual changes. The adaptive importance of developmental changes in musculature is discussed.
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Horák P, Mikeš L, Lichtenbergová L, Skála V, Soldánová M, Brant SV. Avian schistosomes and outbreaks of cercarial dermatitis. Clin Microbiol Rev 2015; 28:165-90. [PMID: 25567226 PMCID: PMC4284296 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00043-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch) is a condition caused by infective larvae (cercariae) of a species-rich group of mammalian and avian schistosomes. Over the last decade, it has been reported in areas that previously had few or no cases of dermatitis and is thus considered an emerging disease. It is obvious that avian schistosomes are responsible for the majority of reported dermatitis outbreaks around the world, and thus they are the primary focus of this review. Although they infect humans, they do not mature and usually die in the skin. Experimental infections of avian schistosomes in mice show that in previously exposed hosts, there is a strong skin immune reaction that kills the schistosome. However, penetration of larvae into naive mice can result in temporary migration from the skin. This is of particular interest because the worms are able to migrate to different organs, for example, the lungs in the case of visceral schistosomes and the central nervous system in the case of nasal schistosomes. The risk of such migration and accompanying disorders needs to be clarified for humans and animals of interest (e.g., dogs). Herein we compiled the most comprehensive review of the diversity, immunology, and epidemiology of avian schistosomes causing cercarial dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Horák
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Libor Mikeš
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Lichtenbergová
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Skála
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslava Soldánová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Sara Vanessa Brant
- Museum Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
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Chetverikov PE. Distal oviduct and genital chamber of eriophyoids (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea): refined terminology and remarks on CLSM technique for studying musculature of mites. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2014; 64:407-28. [PMID: 25052761 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-014-9840-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The general morphology of cuticle-lined internal genitalia and oviduct is analyzed in intact females of the phytophagous mites, Loboquintus subsquamatus and Trisetacus cf bagdasariani (Acari: Eriophyoidea) using tetramethylrhodamine B isothiocyanate-phalloidin, three anaesthetics (magnesium sulphate, lidocaine and CO2-enriched water) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). This is the first protocol adopted for CLSM studying musculature of mites. Revision of the previous terminology of eriophyoid internal genitalia from Nuzzaci and Alberti (Eriophyoid mites: their biology, natural enemies and control. World crop pests 6. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 101-150, 1996) resulted in the refinement of the terms "distal oviduct", "genital chamber" and "spermatheca". Relative position of the elements of cuticle-lined internal genitalia is discussed and a generalized 3D model and animation (available on-line as supplementary material) of eriophyoid genital apparatus are provided. The wall of eriophyoid oviduct contains strong longitudinal muscles attached to the cuticle genital chamber with folded walls. When the egg is being extruded by contraction of the oviduct muscles, it forms lobes corresponding to the internal topography of the oviduct and genital chamber; these lobes invaginate inward from the gonopore, resulting in the "flower-shaped" figures rarely observed in slide-mounted mites. Gnathosomal muscles (cheliceral muscles and extrinsic muscles of palps) and opisthosomal muscles D1 of Loboquintus mites are attached to the three posterior depressions near the rear prodorsal shield margin. Prospects of CLSM approach for studying different aspects of mite morphology are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp E Chetverikov
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Saint-Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab., 7/9, 199034, St. Petersburg, Russia,
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Wang CR, Xu MJ, Fu JH, Nisbet AJ, Chang QC, Zhou DH, Huang SY, Zou FC, Zhu XQ. Characterization of microRNAs from Orientobilharzia turkestanicum, a neglected blood fluke of human and animal health significance. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47001. [PMID: 23071694 PMCID: PMC3468544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The neglected blood flukes Orientobilharzia spp. belonging to the Platyhelminthes, infect animals in a number of countries of the world, and cause cercarial dermatitis in humans, as well as significant diseases and even death in economically-important animals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are now considered to be a key mechanism of gene regulation. Herein, we investigated the global miRNA expression profile of adult O. turkestanicum using next-generation sequencing technology and real-time quantitative PCR, to gain further information on the role of these molecules in host invasion and the parasitic lifestyle of this species. A total of 13.48 million high quality reads were obtained out of 13.78 million raw sequencing reads, with 828 expressed miRNAs identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the miRNAs of O. turkestanicum were still rapidly evolving and there was a “directed mutation” pattern compared with that of other species. Target mRNAs were successfully predicted to 518 miRNAs. These targets included energy metabolism, transcription initiation factors, signal transduction, growth factor receptors. miRNAs targeting egg proteins, including major egg antigen p40, and heat shock proteins were also found. Enrichment analysis indicated enrichment for mRNAs involved in catalytic, binding, transcription regulators and translation regulators. The present study represented the first large-scale characterization of O. turkestanicum miRNAs, which provides novel resources for better understanding the complex biology of this zoonotic parasite, which, in turn, has implications for the effective control of the disease it causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ren Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Min-Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (MJX); (XQZ)
| | - Jing-Hua Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Alasdair J. Nisbet
- Parasitology Division, Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Midlothian, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Qiao-Cheng Chang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong-Hui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Yang Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng-Cai Zou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Parasitology of Gansu Province, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People's Republic of China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (MJX); (XQZ)
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Ligasová A, Bulantová J, Sebesta O, Kašný M, Koberna K, Mikeš L. Secretory glands in cercaria of the neuropathogenic schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti - ultrastructural characterization, 3-D modelling, volume and pH estimations. Parasit Vectors 2011; 4:162. [PMID: 21854564 PMCID: PMC3171358 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-4-162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2010] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cercariae of schistosomes employ bioactive molecules for penetration into their hosts. These are released from specialized unicellular glands upon stimuli from host skin. The glands were previously well-described in the human pathogen Schistosoma mansoni. As bird schistosomes can also penetrate human skin and cause cercarial dermatitis, our aim was to characterize the architecture and ultrastructure of glands in the neurotropic bird schistosome Trichobilharzia regenti and compare it with S. mansoni. In the context of different histolytic enzymes used by these two species, we focused also on the estimations of gland volumes and pH in T. regenti. RESULTS The architecture and 3-D models of two types of acetabular penetration glands, their ducts and of the head gland are shown here. We characterized secretory vesicles in all three gland types by means of TEM and confirmed accuracy of the models obtained by confocal microscopy. The results of two independent approaches showed that the glands occupy ca. one third of cercarial body volume (postacetabular glands ca. 15%, circumacetabular 12% and head gland 6%). The inner environment within the two types of acetabular glands differed significantly as evidenced by dissimilar ability to bind fluorescent markers and by pH value which was higher in circumacetabular (7.44) than in postacetabular (7.08) glands. CONCLUSIONS As far as we know, this is the first presentation of a 3-D model of cercarial glands and the first exact estimation of the volumes of the three gland types in schistosomes. Our comparisons between T. regenti and S. mansoni implied that the architecture and ultrastructure of the glands is most likely conserved within the family. Only minor variations were found between the two species. It seems that the differences in molecular composition have no effect on general appearance of the secretory cells in TEM. Fluorescent markers employed in this study, distinguishing between secretory vesicles and gland types, can be useful in further studies of mechanisms used by cercariae for host invasion. Results of the first attempts to estimate pH within schistosome glands may help further understanding of regulation of enzymatic activities present within the glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ligasová
- Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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The neuro-muscular system in fresh-water furcocercaria from Belarus. I Schistosomatidae. Parasitol Res 2011; 110:185-93. [PMID: 21614541 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-011-2468-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The neuro-muscular system (NMS) in cercariae of the family Schistosomatidae from Belarus was studied with immunocytochemical methods and confocal scanning laser microscopy. The specimens of Bilharziella polonica were compared with Trichobilharzia szidati and Trichobilharzia franki. The patterns of F-actin in the musculature, 5-HT-immunoreactive (IR), FMRFamide-IR neuronal elements and α-tubulin-IR in sensory receptors and nerves were investigated. No indications of structural differences in the musculature, the 5-HT-IR, FMRF-IR neuronal elements and the general distribution of sensory receptors were noticed between cercariae of Trichobilharzia spp. The number of 5-HT-IR neurons in the cercarial bodies is 16. In cercaria B. polonica, the tail musculature is weaker than in Trichobilharzia spp. A detailed schematic picture of the NMS in the tail of Trichobilharzia spp. cercaria is given. The function of NMS elements in the tail is discussed.
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