[Possibilities for identification of cryptic species of Chiroptera using host-specific ectoparasites]

The possibility of identification of the sibling species of Chiroptera by the example of Myotis daubentonii Kuhl, 1817 and Myotis petax Hollister, 1912 by their host-specific ectoparasitic fauna is discussed. Their habitat limits are defined.

What does "local" firewood buy you? Managing the risk of invasive species introduction

Firewood can serve as a vector in the transport of non-native species, including wood-boring insects that feed within the wood and thus can be transported accidentally. Governments have enacted limitations on the movement of firewood in an effort to limit the anthropogenic movement of non-native species through, for example, recreational camping. Although the movement of invasive species through firewood is a documented invasion pathway, it is not trivial for governments to determine a "safe" allowable distance for moving firewood. We were motivated by this challenge and developed a theoretical simulation to determine the campgrounds that could be potentially exposed to infested firewood based upon the hypothetical distribution of an invasive species and the allowable distance for moving firewood. We extend this concept to the known distributions of emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky) Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). We illustrate, based upon theoretical and empirical observations, that as the distribution of an invasive species increases, more rigid constraints on the movement of firewood would be required relative to those species that are distributed over a smaller scale. Also, on the level of management within a state, smaller states have far less margin for error than larger ones, as even extremely rigid restrictions on the movement of firewood could have little management effect unless the infested area is spatially limited. These results collectively suggest the potential for a dynamic management strategy that adjusts allowable distances for firewood movement based upon the distribution of the non-native species.

Ektoparasitosen

Hauterkrankungen stellen die dritthäufigste Gesundheitsstörung bei Tropenrückkehrern dar. Obwohl ektoparasitäre Affektionen nur einen Teil dieser Patienten betreffen, sind sie nicht selten Ursache für eine Konsultation beim Hausarzt nach der Reise. Die klinisch oft verkannte Krätze kann ebenso eine differentialdiagnostische Knacknuss sein wie Residuen von Arthropodenstichen. Hier können eine gezielte Anamnese und die sorgfältige klinische Untersuchung weiterhelfen. Allergische Reaktionen als Ausdruck einer individuellen Modulation immunologischer Prozesse werden bei vielen ektoparasitären Problemen beobachtet. Ferner sind spezifisch in den Tropen und Subtropen vorkommende Parasiten wie Sandflöhe und tropische Myiasen in die differentialdiagnostischen Überlegungen einzubeziehen. Mit geringem therapeutischem Aufwand kann eine bedeutende Linderung erheblicher subjektiver Beschwerden erreicht werden.

Species identification of Hypoderma affecting domestic and wild ruminants by morphological and molecular characterization

Cuticular structures and the sequence of the cytochrome oxidase I gene were compared for Hypoderma bovis (Linnaeus), Hypoderma lineatum (De Villers), Hypoderma actaeon Brauer, Hypoderma diana Brauer and Hypoderma tarandi (Linnaeus) (Diptera, Oestridae). Third-stage larvae of each species were examined by scanning electron microscopy revealing differences among species in the pattern and morphology of spines on the cephalic and thoracic segments, by spine patterns on the tenth abdominal segment, and by morphology of the spiracular plates. The morphological approach was supported by the molecular characterization of the most variable region of the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of these species, which was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and analysed. Amplicons were digested with the unique restriction enzyme, BfaI, providing diagnostic profiles able to simultaneously differentiate all Hypoderma species examined. These findings confirm the utility of morphological characters for differentiating the most common Hypoderma larvae and reconfirm the power of the COI gene for studying insect identification and systematics.

[Human ectoparasitoses: current status in Uruguay]

The present status of human ectoparasitoses in Uruguay is analyzed with the main purpose of performing in the future, comparative studies in the region. After classifying ectoparasites in temporary and permanent, comments are made on particular clinical and epidemiological aspects of some of them. For remarking: the high prevalence of pediculosis capitis and scabies; the frequent observation of cutaneous myiasis by Dermatobia hominis with a very interesting modification of the geographical national distribution of the fly and the presence of an endemic area of creeping eruption by Ancylostoma braziliense and A. caninum in the north of the country.

Helminth and arthropod parasites of sandy fox, Vulpes ruppeli (Fissipedea; Carnivora) from Sohag, with redescription of Platynosomum fastosum (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae)

Forty-seven Vulpes ruppeli from two rural areas neighbouring the poultry farms in Sohag, Egypt were examined for helminth and arthropod parasites. A total of ten species of helminths (4 trematodes, 3 cestodes and 3 nematodes) and six species of arthropod ectoparasites (one louse, 3 fleas and one tick) were found. Redescription of the trematode parasite, Platynosomun fastosum Kossack 1910, which was recovered for the first time in Sohag, was the most important point. Data were discussed.

Epizootiology of protozoans in farmed salmonids at northern latitudes

Protozoan ectoparasites were examined in a northern salmonid fish farm over a 10-year period, June 1984-May 1994, by the same researcher, with similar catching and sampling procedures throughout. Husbandry procedures remained constant during the study, e.g., fingerlings were kept in steel tanks and yearlings in both steel tanks and earth ponds. Ichthyobodo necator, Chilodonella hexasticha and Ichthyophthirius multifiliis infections were treated with formalin, salt and malachite green-formalin baths, respectively, whenever any parasites were found. Altogether 10,790 randomly sampled salmon (Salmo solar), sea trout (S. trutta m. trutta) and brown trout (S. trutta m. lacustris) were studied. Higher prevalences were found in yearlings than in fingerlings, except in I. necator infections, which were higher in fingerlings (e.g., 26% vs 6% in sea trout). C. hexasticha occurred less often and was found most commonly on brown trout fingerlings. Trichodina nigra occurred more often in salmon of both age groups and Riboscyphidia arctic in trout. The results show that the occurrence of protozoan parasites in a fish farm is predictable and is influenced by the fish species, the age group of the fish, the season and the tank type. Parasite burden increased up to 7 species per brown trout, e.g., when fish were studied from hatching until stocking at the age of 2 years.

Delusional infestation. The interface of delusions and hallucinations

Delusional infestation represents a unique subtype of the delusional disorder category. This article presents the phenomenology, etiology, and treatment of delusional infestation. This article also reviews historical and theoretical attempts to distinguish tactile sensory phenomena as either hallucinations or delusions.

100 years of delusional parasitosis. Meta-analysis of 1,223 case reports

Delusional parasitosis (DP) is mostly described in single cases or small samples. Data on epidemiology, nosological classification, therapy and course are therefore difficult to interpret. A thorough literature review is recommended to delineate common features of the syndrome. All case reports concerning DP (except toxic forms) were collected and analyzed according to a standardized protocol. DP is a disorder which may occur in every period of life but is much more frequent in older subjects. Sex differences with a predominance of females increase with age. Mean duration of delusion was 3.0 +/- 4.6 years (median: 1 year). Social isolation seems to be more a premorbid feature than a secondary phenomenon related to the delusion. Diagnostic classification revealed a high proportion of so-called 'pure' forms ('delusional disorders' in DSM-III-R or ICD-10) but the syndrome was also reported in schizophrenia, affective or organic psychosis or even as a neurotic symptom. Frequency of induced DP can be estimated between 5 and 15%. Course of DP is not so unfavorable as commonly thought; in about half the patients a full remission was described during the observation period or at catamnesis. Short preclinical courses may indicate better outcome. Comparing the patients of the prepsychopharmacological era (before 1960) with those after, the rate of full remissions increased from 33.9 to 51.9%.