Population dynamics of Philureter trigoniopsis (Monogenea: Ancyrocephalinae) from urinary organs of Galaxias maculatus (Osmeriformes: Galaxiidae) in a cold temperate Andean Patagonian lake (Argentina)

Philureter trigoniopsis parasitizes the ureters and urinary bladder of Galaxias maculatus in Patagonian Andean lakes. To investigate factors associated with variation in the prevalence and intensity of this monogenean, fish were sampled periodically over 2 yr in Lake Gutiérrez. Prevalence and mean intensity are higher in smaller fishes than in larger ones. A seasonal pattern was observed, with peak recruitment and peak mean intensity occurring in early spring (September), followed by lows in late summer (January-February). Galaxias maculatus length classes are spatially segregated due to seasonal migrations, so the annual infection cycle is characterized by higher prevalence and intensity from late winter to early summer in the smaller fish from the deep zone of the lake.

Filarial chyluria: Long-term experience of a university hospital in India

BACKGROUND

Filariasis is an endemic problem in various Indian states. We evaluated the results of long-term follow up (10-20 years) of patients with filarial chyluria.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 160 patients treated for filarial chyluria who presented to the Banaras Hindu University Hospital from 1982 to 1992. Eighty-four patients (52.5%) were treated using diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and a fat restricted diet and 76 patients (47.5%) underwent surgery. To examine the long-term effects of filarial chyluria we analysed data on post-treatment recurrence, weight gain, dietary freedom, chyluria free period and a number of other associated factors.

RESULTS

Previous history of filariasis or its complication was documented in 19% of patients. In 71% of cases, cystoscopy showed that chylous efflux was predominant in the left ureteric orifice. The long-term remission rate was 62% in the conservatively managed group (DEC + fat restricted diet), whereas 90% of patients in the operated group were cured. Postoperative recurrence rate was 10%. There was more weight gain and dietary freedom along with a longer chyluria free period in the operated group relative to the conservatively managed group.

CONCLUSIONS

Definitive surgical ablation of lymphatic urinary fistula is better than conservative medical management because it has a higher success rate, more dietary freedom and, therefore, better patient acceptability.

Acolpenteron australe sp. n. (Dactylogyridae:Dactylogyrinae), a new species from the ureters of Percichthys trucha (Perciformes:Percichthyidae) in Patagonia (Argentina)

Acolpenceron australe sp. n. (Dactylogyridae, Dactylogyrinae) is described from ureters and renal tubules of Percichthys trucha (Cuvier et Valenciennes) (Perciformes, Percichthyidae) from Andean Patagonian lakes. The new species has a haptor with 14 hooks, with shanks comprised of two subunits. It has overlapped intercaecal gonads, male copulatory organ as a sclerotized tube with one counterclockwise coil and a J-shaped accessory piece. It differs from the other species of Acolpenteron by having a non-forked accessory piece. This is the first monogenean species described from a percichthyid host in South America.

A new species of Kritskyia (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae) parasite of urinary bladder of Prochilodus lineatus (Prochilodontidae, Characiformes) from the Floodplain of the High Paraná river, Brazil

A new species of Kritskyia inhabits the urinary bladder of the "curimba", Prochilodus lineatus in the floodplain of the high Paraná river. The new species resembles others members of Kritskyia in the following features: haptor lacking anchors and with 14 hooks marginal, posterior male copulatory organ non articulated with the accessory piece and vagina a sclerotized tube. However, it differs from the known species mainly by the shape of the copulatory complex. This is the third endoparasitic monogenean species reported from freshwater Neotropical fish.

Philureter trigoniopsis, a new genus and species (Dactylogyridae, Ancyrocephalinae) from the ureters and urinary bladder of Galaxias maculatus (Osmeriformes: Galaxiidae) in Patagonia (Argentina)

The monotypic Philureter n. gen. (Ancyrocephalinae; Dactylogyridae) is proposed to accommodate Philureter trigoniopsis n. sp. with the following features: presence of a cuplike ventral haptor armed with 14 hooks and 2 anchor/bar complexes; dorsal pair of anchors poorly defined and variable in shape, 1 frequently absent; tandem, intercecal gonads, testis bilaterally lobulated. Philureter trigoniopsis n. sp. is described from the ureters and urinary bladder of Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns, 1842) (Osmeriformes) in Patagonian Andean lakes, Argentina.

Histological assessment of tissue repair after treatment of human schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is one of the main health problems hindering socio-economic development in Egypt. It affects millions at an early age, diminishing productivity and exerting a significant socio-economic impact. Schistosomiasis endemicity in Egypt varies in different areas. Schistosoma mansoni, with a prevalence generally ranging between 20 to 40%, has replaced Schistosoma haematobium in the Nile Delta, and the latter is now localized to upper Egypt with low endemicity levels (5-10%). The pathology of schistosomiasis consists essentially of a series of chronic inflammatory lesions produced in and around blood vessels by eggs or their products and sometimes by dead adult worms. If the ova continued to be deposited in sufficient numbers and over several years, they would ultimately lead to progressive fibrosis of the portal tracts and urinary bladder, or may be carried in blood and become trapped in the lungs, gastro-intestinal and genital tracts with only occasional association with other organs. The etiology of human pipe-stem fibrosis is still not understood. The host immune response and frequency of exposure and the time of re-infection interval appear to be involved in the overall process of fibrosis. Additional factors are probably involved in the human disease as genetic host susceptibility, malnutrition, repeated infections and repeated treatment, mixed infections including hepatitis, tuberculosis and typhoid. Reversibility of the fibrosis might be related to the proportion of the collagen types present. Immuno-histopathological demonstration of various types of collagen confirms the importance of time for administration of the treatment and period of follow-up. According to previous studies, the timing for treatment affects the reversibility of liver fibrosis emphasizing the importance of early treatment of schistosomiasis to prevent complications.

Renal Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium baileyi) in specific-pathogen-free chickens experimentally coinfected with Marek's disease virus

Renal Cryptosporidiosis was experimentally induced during a study to investigate the pathogenicity of Cryptosporidium baileyi in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens coinfected with Marek's disease virus (MDV). Cryptosporidium baileyi was administered orally at 4 days of age to chickens previously infected at hatching (day 0) with the HPRS 16 strain of oncogenic MDV. Three control groups received MDV at hatching, C. baileyi on day 4, or placebo consisting of distilled water. Renal cryptosporidiosis lesions were induced in the group coinfected with MDV and C. baileyi. The kidneys were markedly swollen and pale, with visible urate crystals in the ureters and surface tubules. Oocysts of C. baileyi were demonstrated in six of seven cases tested by a scoring method with modified Sheather's sugar solution on renal tissue scrapings and were confirmed in three cases by histologic examination of paraffin-embedded kidney sections. Histologic study also revealed subacute interstitial nephritis, acute ureteritis, and attachment of cryptosporidia on the epithelial cell surface of the ureters and collecting ducts, collecting tubules, and distal convoluted tubules. Various developmental stages of the parasite were present in the kidney sections. To our knowledge, this is the first report of experimentally induced renal cryptosporidiosis in SPF chickens coinfected with MDV.

[Urinary schistosomiasis: report of a case]

A 31-year-old Japanese man visited our department with macroscopic hematuria. He had stayed in Asia, Middle East and Africa during the past several years. He was diagnosed with urinary schistosomiasis because examination of urine and a biopsy specimen of the bladder mucosa revealed Schistosoma haematobium ova. Cystoscopy revealed granulomatous lesions and polypoid patches at the right ureteral orifice, posterior wall and dome of the bladder. Radiological examination showed no obstructive uropathy. Histologically, moderate to severe urothelial dysplasia was found but without evidence of malignancy. The disease has been under good control following treatment with praziquantel. Today international exchange between Japan and other countries is common. Therefore, physicians should consider the possibility of schistosomiasis in patients who have been to endemic areas.

Human bilharzial ureters: I. Fine structure of eggs deposited in the submucosa and muscularis

The internal fine structure of the partially calcified Schistosoma haematobium eggs in the lower ureteral segments of Saudi patients with chronic urinary schistosomiasis is described. The egg shell is penetrated by cribriform pores and consists of the three previously described layers: outer microspinous, middle intermediately dense, and inner dense layers. The space between the egg shell and the developing embryo is partitioned by three layers. An outer acellular Reynolds' layer of unknown origin and function consists of a fibrillar material mixed with a finely granular matrix extending to the egg-shell pores via racimose channels. The middle von Lichtenberg's envelope consists of a single layer of flattened epithelial cells containing several mitochondria in other previously described Schistosoma eggs suggesting an active, and perhaps selective, transport in or out of the egg shell. The inner fluid filled cavity, or Lehman's lacuna, between the von Lichtenberg's envelope and the embryo contains numerous lipoid bodies suggesting a relation to vitelline cells. - Four systems (out of eight previously described for the free, mature Schistosoma miracidium) have been recognized for the first time in the developing miracidium within S. haematobium eggs and include: 1) ciliated epidermal plates representing the epithelial system, 2) an outer circular and an inner longitudinal muscle layers forming the musculatures, 3) lateral penetration glands, and 4) ciliated flame cells representing the excretory system.

Human bilharzial ureters: IV. Ultrastructural interaction between multinucleate giant cells and the parasite eggs

The ultrastructural interaction between multinucleate giant cells (MGCs) and the Schistosoma haematobium eggs is described at the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) level, in granulomas of the lower ureteral segments of Saudi patients. The MGCs were found only within the parasite empty egg-shells which were embedded in the ureter submucosa and muscularis. For the first time, two morphologically different types of MGCs were recognized: the moderate to electron-dense type I contained two types of 8-12 nuclei and cytoplasm poor in cell organelles which appeared non-functional. Type 1 MGCs were considered to be "old" and non-active cells. The electron-lucent to moderately dense type II MGCs contained 3-4 nuclei of one type, and cytoplasm rich in cell organelles. According to the performance of their organelles, type II MGCs were considered to be "young" and highly active cells. The human type II MGCs did not form the cytoplasmic membranous labyrinths previously described for the free moving MGCs obtained from experimental mice, and were suggested to be involved in the cell motility. As in murine MGCs, type II cells were incorporated in exocytic and endocytic activities aimed the degradation of the inner soft layer of the egg-shell. This study shows that individual macrophages were responsible for eliminating the outer and possibly the middle hard layers of the egg-shell.

Mortality associated with renal coccidiosis in juvenile wild greylag geese (Anser anser anser)

Fourteen non-flying wild greylag (Anser anser anser) goslings were reported dead on the Bothnian Bay coast of Finland in July and August, 1992. Renal coccidiosis caused by Eimeria truncata was isolated from all three of the goslings necropsied.

Human bilharzial ureters: III. Fine structure of the egg granuloma

The fine structure of egg granuloma forming cells is described in lower ureteral segments of patients chronically infected with Schistosoma haematobium. The infiltrates consisted of monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, fibroblasts, mast cells, and blood platelets. The abundant monocytes and macrophages were actively mobile and intensively phagocytic cells. Multinucleate giant macrophages were only seen within empty egg shells. In addition to normal looking lymphocytes and plasma cells, several lymphocyte-like Sezary cells characterized by strikingly convoluted "cerebriform" nuclei were observed. Mature neutrophils and eosinophils were detected in addition to abnormal looking neutrophils; these contained numerous filamentous bundles. Fibroblasts were associated with extracellular collagen fibers and an electron-dense material. The few mast cells seen in proximity to blood vessels have a feature consistent with the onset of degranulation. Few blood platelets with active phagocytic features were among the granuloma cells.

Human bilharzial ureters. II. Cellular dynamic against deposited eggs

The cellular dynamic against deposited Schistosoma haematobium eggs was studied in the submucosa and muscularis of the lower ureteral segments of Saudi patients with chronic urinary schistosomiasis. This dynamic activity was greatly affected by the damaged phase of the egg embryo. Freshly deposited eggs with "healthy" embryos were entirely surrounded by long cytoplasmic extensions of fibroblasts. Eggs with partially damaged embryos were surrounded by plasma cells which were focally adhered to spines of egg-shells and releasing their granular contents over their surface. Eggs with "dead" embryos, or empty egg-shells, were surrounded by actively mobile macrophages possessing numerous lysosomes, phagocytic vacuoles, and convoluted surface projections. After "peeling" off the outer and intermediate shell layers, macrophages invaded into eggs and fused together forming multinucleate giant macrophages. This study showed that the fibroblastic extensions acted as barriers between the parasite eggs or their products, and the host tissue; the plasma cell secretion over the egg surface may be involved in the migration of macrophages towards deposited eggs; and macrophages were the only dynamic cells responsible for the egg-shell invasion possibly for elimination.

Urological complications following live donor kidney transplantation: effect of urinary schistosomiasis

Urological complications were studied in 310 live donor kidney transplants. All recipients and donors were investigated for urinary schistosomiasis by examining tissue obtained intra-operatively from the donor's ureter or the patient's bladder. Schistosomiasis was histologically documented in 76 cases (patient's bladder (46), donor's ureter (9), both (21)). The incidence of urological complications was 11/76 (15%) in the schistosomal group and 14/234 (6%) in the non-schistosomal group; this was statistically significant. Among the schistosomal patients, the site of infestation had no statistically significant effect on the incidence of urological complications. No deaths or graft losses were directly attributable either to these complications or to their surgical correction.

Histopathological study of the bilharzial affection on the bladder and ureter

This study was carried out on 68 cases (50 bilharzial stricture lower ureter, eight vesico-ureteral reflux cases and ten control). In cases of reflux associated with bilharziasis heavy ova-deposition was obvious all through the ureteral wall especially per-ureteral sheath. Also heavy deposition in the bladder wall involved the detrusor and trigonal muscle with fibrosis and obliteration of Waldeyer's space and atrophy and fasciculation of detrusor and trigonal muscle. This implies ureteral rigidity, impaired mobility and compression against a firm detrusor buttress.

Patterns of Schistosoma haematobium egg distribution in the human lower urinary tract. II. Obstructive uropathy

In a series of 32 unselected consecutive autopsies of Egyptian male adults, we found a significant prevalence of schistosomal obstructive uropathy (SOU) and of precursor lesions of stenosis, fibrosis and induration of the ureters (62.5%). Lower urinary tracts with obstructive uropathy had a significantly higher total egg burden (TEB) than did lower urinary tracts with any other type of gross lesion (i.e., benign prostatic hypertrophy, other urethral outlet obstruction, or SOU precursor lesions). In turn, lower urinary tracts with any type of gross change had higher egg burdens than did tracts which appeared grossly normal. Lower urinary tracts with any type of gross lesion had significantly larger seminal vesicles than did tracts which were grossly normal. Moreover, relative weight of seminal vesicles could be correlated with the S. haematobium egg burdens in the seminal vesicles. In a series of lower urinary tracts taken from unselected consecutive American autopsies, seminal vesicle weight could be correlated with increase in prostatic weight in those tracts with prostatic hypertrophy; the same correlation could not be found in tracts without prostatic hypertrophy. Thus, seminal vesicle hypertrophy appears to correlate with obstructive uropathy in general, not solely obstructive uropathy of schistosomal origin. Digital evaluation of seminal vesicle size may be useful in the clinical evaluation of such patients.

Patterns of Schistosoma haematobium egg distribution in the human lower urinary tract. I. Noncancerous lower urinary tracts

Schistosoma haematobium egg burdens (eggs/g of tissue) of 17 anatomic segments of lower urinary tracts from 32 unselected Egyptian autopsies have been determined by tissue digestion and replicate counts of aliquots of the digestate. There were three anatomic patterns of egg distribution in these lower urinary tracts: apical, basal and diffuse. Regression of egg burdens of each of the anatomic segments as the dependent variable against egg burdens of the entire lower urinary burden yielded a good fit for 15 of 17 of these segments. Statistical analyses revealed that many of these equations for discrete anatomic segments can be combined, generally giving one equation for anatomic regions which are in continuity, indicating that the female worm lives and oviposits in specified venous plexes. These equations also suggest that there are differences in the rates, duration and onset of egg accumulation which may be responsible for schistosomal obstructive uropathy as a cause of death in fairly young individuals.

Patterns of Schistosoma haematobium egg distribution in the human lower urinary tract. III. Cancerous lower urinary tracts

The distribution of S. haematobium eggs in urinary bladders containing tumors and removed at surgery has been studied; the majority of these tumors are well differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. The same three anatomic patterns of egg accumulation described in part I of this series (noncancerous lower urinary tracts) were found in these cancerous bladders, but, in addition, most of the tumors were surrounded by a collar of heavy S. haematobium egg deposition. The egg burdens in these collars were, on the average, twice the average egg burden in the remainder of the urinary bladder. These collars do not seem to be artifacts created by growth of the tumor and subsequent displacement of the adjacent normal tissue, creating a region of heavy egg concentrations; rather, these heavy S. haematobium egg concentrations seem to act as promoters of urothelial carcinogenesis.

[Current state of fish parasites in lake Trasimeno. I. Observations on the Tinca tinca L. population]

An investigation was carried out to identify the actual state of parasitism in the Tinca tinca population of Trasimeno lake (Umbria, Italy). It has been found: a high number of infested specimens, eleven species of parasites, of which four were not yet known to be in the lake, frequency variations of certain species, the absence of others that in the past were present. The species of parasites observed are, in various ways, distributed in the Paleartic region. Some are considered to be of allochthonous origin. The organs most frequently involved were the gills and the ureters followed by the intestine and the liver.

Hydronephrosis in a series of 3,400 post-mortem examinations in Zambia, with special reference to Bilharharzia

An analysis of forty-two cases of hydronephrosis occurring in a series of 3,400 post mortem examinations (1.2%) shows that bilharzia could not be regarded as a cause of death in any of them. This is evident in thirty of the cases, since bilharzial lesions were not present in these. In the other twelve cases in which bilharzial lesions were present major obstructive diseases (carcinoma of bladder, prostatic obstruction) sufficiently accounted for the hydronephrosis in six cases. This leaves six cases, none of them severe, in which bilharziasis might have played a part, though other causes such as congenital ureteric constrictions cannot be excluded: This type of lesion was present to the same extent in the non-bilharzial as in the bilharzial group of hydronephrosis. It may be concluded that in Zambia at any rate bilharzia does not seriously contribute to advanced hydronephrosis, but may be responsible for some mild, symptomless forms of the disease.

The relation of worm burden to passage of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in the urine of infected patients

Patients scheduled for cystectomy for bladder carcinoma or exstrophy of the bladder were studied. The number of eggs per day passed in the urine preoperatively was compared with the number of worms recovered from the cystectomy specimen by dissection. A mean of 203 embryonated Schistosoma haematobium eggs per day per worm pair were recovered from the urine of active, untreated cases. The relation between the number of S. haematobium females recovered and the number of living eggs passed in the urine was questionably significant. The correlation between S. haematobium females and all eggs (living and dead) passed in the urine was somewhat better. Several S. mansoni females were recovered from one specimen. This patient passed 139 embryonated S. mansoni eggs per day in the urine for each female worm recovered. Only one active case, treated 6 weeks before operation, might have been missed on routine parasitological examination of the urine.

Calcification of Schistosoma haematobium eggs: relation of radiologically demonstrable calcification to eggs in tissues and passage of eggs in urine

The extent of calcification of the bladder in schistosome infected patients is roughly correlated with the number of calcified schistosome eggs present in the bladder. The focal concentration of eggs in the bladder appears to be one major variable, and we estimate that as few as 100,000 eggs per cm2 might be detected in a clinical radiograph. The excretion of calcified eggs in the urine was related to the activity of the schistosome infection and was unaffected by the presence or extent of bladder calcification.